Personally, I'd go after him in small claims court. What might be left over after costs isn't an issue. You can file for actual damages plus court costs up to the maximum amount allowed in small claims in your state.
In Missouri that was $1500 20 years ago when I went after a guy in small claims court who shafted me on some auto work. I won and he had to reimburse me the cost of the repair and what I spent to file the suit.
As a plus, and what many don't realize, is that judgments like that go on the credit report of the loser. Makes it harder for him to do business in the future and is there, as a public record, for others to see if they check references before they hire someone.
If he knows that, the threat of a suit, and a letter to the BBB and State Attorney General, will probably be enough to cause him to reimburse you.