My Contractor Won't Finish the Job — What to Do

The calls stop returning. The crew that used to show up three days a week hasn't been by in two. Your kitchen is half-demolished, or your roof has a tarp on it instead of shingles, and you're starting to suspect the contractor isn't coming back. Here's what to actually do, in order.

Step 1: Document Everything, Immediately

Before you contact anyone, get your paper trail in order:

Photograph the current state of the work, from multiple angles, with a timestamp.
Pull together your signed contract, any change orders, and every payment you've made (bank statements or canceled checks, not just receipts).
Save every text, email, and voicemail — including the ones where they went silent.

This documentation is what makes every following step possible. Without it, you're relying on memory and goodwill, and you may not get either.

Step 2: Contact the Contractor in Writing, One Last Time

Send a written notice — email is fine, but certified mail creates a stronger record — stating clearly: what work remains unfinished per the contract, a reasonable deadline to resume or complete it (commonly 7–14 days), and that you'll pursue other remedies if they don't respond. This isn't just courtesy. Many states require you to formally notify a contractor and give them a chance to cure the problem before you can pursue certain legal remedies.

Step 3: File a Complaint With Your State Licensing Board

If the contractor is licensed, their state licensing board can investigate, and — depending on the state — has real leverage: fines, license suspension, or in some cases, access to a recovery fund that can reimburse homeowners for contractor fraud or abandonment. This is often faster and cheaper than a lawsuit, and it's the step most homeowners skip entirely. See our full complaint-filing guide for how to start.

Step 4: File a BBB Complaint

A Better Business Bureau complaint won't force a resolution, but it creates a public record and often prompts a response from contractors who care about their rating — particularly established ones who rely on referrals. It's a low-effort, parallel step worth taking alongside the licensing board complaint, not instead of it.

Step 5: Consider Your State Attorney General's Consumer Protection Office

If there's a pattern here — other homeowners with similar complaints, or conduct that looks like deliberate fraud rather than a contractor who's simply overextended — your state AG's consumer protection division is the right escalation point. They can't act as your personal attorney, but they track patterns and can pursue action against contractors who are defrauding multiple people.

Step 6: Get Money Back — Realistic Options

Depending on your situation:

Insurance/bond claim: If the contractor was bonded (many states require this for licensing), you may be able to file a claim against the bond.
Small claims court: For damages under your state's limit (often $5,000–$10,000+), small claims is designed to be navigated without a lawyer and moves relatively fast.
Civil suit: For larger amounts, you'll likely want an attorney — many offer free consultations for contractor-dispute cases.
Chargeback: If you paid by credit card, dispute the charge for services not rendered. This has a time limit, so don't wait.

A Word on "Can I Call the Police?"

Usually, a contractor who does bad or incomplete work is a civil matter — a breach of contract, not a crime. But if there's evidence of deliberate fraud (a fake license, a business that never intended to complete the work, repeated pattern with other victims), that crosses into criminal territory, and a police report or referral to your local prosecutor's fraud unit becomes appropriate. When in doubt, your state licensing board or AG's office can help you tell the difference.

The single best defense against ending up here is vetting a contractor thoroughly before signing anything — but if you're already past that point, working through these steps in order gives you the best realistic shot at a resolution.