Contractor dispute guide
What to do if a contractor took your money and did not finish the job.
When a contractor accepts payment but does not finish the work, a clear written record becomes important. The goal is to organize what was promised, what was paid, what remains unfinished, and what resolution you want.
General information only. ResolveLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Situation
A common situation
You paid a deposit or full amount for home repair, remodeling, installation, or another service. The contractor started late, left the work unfinished, missed deadlines, or stopped replying. Before escalating, it is useful to create a written summary and request a specific next step.
If the issue involves court papers, urgent deadlines, large financial exposure, eviction, injury, or other serious risk, consider speaking with a licensed attorney.
Practical steps
Practical steps to take
The goal is to make the issue easier to understand, easier to document, and easier to present in writing.
Gather the agreement
Find the written estimate, contract, invoice, text messages, emails, or any notes showing what work was promised.
List payments and dates
Record how much you paid, when you paid, what payment method you used, and whether the payment was a deposit or final payment.
Document unfinished or defective work
Take photos, videos, and notes showing the current condition and what remains incomplete.
Ask for a clear resolution
Decide whether you want completion, repair, refund, partial refund, written schedule, or another reasonable outcome.
Put the request in writing
A written letter can clearly explain the timeline, the unfinished work, the evidence, and the response deadline.
Written document
When a contractor demand letter may help
A contractor demand letter may help when informal messages have not worked and you need a clear written request for completion, correction, refund, or explanation.
Prepare your document
Prepare a contractor dispute letter
ResolveLetter can help you organize the facts and prepare a professional contractor demand letter draft.
Related
Related resources
FAQ
Contractor dispute questions
Should I give the contractor another deadline?
A written deadline can be useful if it is reasonable and clearly connected to the resolution you want.
What if the amount is large?
If the dispute involves a large amount, liens, licensing issues, insurance, court papers, or serious property damage, consider speaking with a licensed attorney.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page provides general information and document-preparation context, not legal advice.
Important notice
ResolveLetter is a document-preparation and legal information tool. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not represent you. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney in your state.