Florida Property Abandonment Law Question?

[adare]

My family about a year ago had this contractor do some renovating and painting of our house. He did mostly a good job however left a few minor things undone. These things were minor in that it shouldn't take much longer to get done but still require his professional skills to complete the job beautifully (which is why we pay him...I can do it of course but I won't do it as well as him). In any case he never really got around to doing these minor things around the house and we had already paid him in full.

We tried numerous contacts to him for him to return and complete his tasks but he would always say he would come but never does on days he specifies (a real annoyance if your mother works 7 days/wk and all kids are away at college). Because the job was left undone he left a few of his tools so that he can complete the work. But its been nearly a year now and he has not returned to claim his tools or finish the work left undone. (I must vent here....what a F#$!ing A$$hole...feels good :) ).

In any case, I don't want to give back his tools, he has gotten on my last nerves and his sincerity is all show and no bite. I want to reap the loss of the uncompleted work which would probably cost us another $300 to hire another contractor through selling some of his tools or just keeping it for our own sake since they are kind of neat.

My question involves is that is this legal, and if it is how can I do it through the properly legal formalities to rightfully have ownership of his stuff.

Thank you!

[zackary42]

Send him a 24 hour notice by certified mail telling him that if he does not complete the job in x number of days and to your satisfaction you will sell his tools to pay a contractor to complete the job, do not give him more than 7 business days and if he doesn't complete the job sell them.}{