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How to File a Complaint Against a Contractor
If you're here, something went wrong — here's exactly what to do next, step by step.
Home / File a Complaint
If you're here, something went wrong — here's exactly what to do next, step by step.
Is this a licensing issue (poor or unfinished work), a money issue (you paid and got little or nothing), or a fraud issue (they never intended to do the work at all)? The steps below cover all three — start from the top and stop once you've gotten the resolution you need.
Photos of the work, the signed contract, every payment receipt, and copies of any texts or emails.
A written demand (email, not just a call) gives them a chance to fix it and creates a paper trail.
If they're licensed, the board can investigate and take action against their license.
Free, and creates a public record — even if the contractor isn't BBB accredited.
Their consumer protection division handles patterns of fraud and unfair business practices.
For direct financial damages, often without needing a lawyer — check your state's dollar limit.
Search "[your state] contractor license complaint" to find your board's complaint form.
File free at bbb.org — creates a public record and often prompts a response.
Search "[your state] attorney general consumer protection" to file a complaint.
Check your county courthouse or state judicial website for filing limits and forms.
This page is general information, not legal advice. For serious financial damages or a complex dispute, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Get matched with a vetted, insured contractor instead of starting this process over.
Find a Vetted Contractor Near YouStart by documenting everything — photos, the contract, payment records, and any written communication. Then contact the contractor in writing to give them a chance to fix it. If that doesn't resolve it, file with your state's contractor licensing board (search "[your state] contractor license complaint"), and consider a BBB complaint as well. Both create an official record of the issue.
It depends on the situation. If they're licensed and bonded, your state licensing board complaint process may lead to a claim against their bond. Separately, you can pursue the money directly through small claims court (for amounts under your state's limit) or, for larger amounts, a civil lawsuit. A written contract with a clear scope of work makes any of these paths much stronger.
These aren't mutually exclusive, and a licensing complaint is free, so it's usually worth doing first or alongside any legal action. A licensing board complaint can result in disciplinary action or a bond claim, but it won't necessarily get you full financial compensation the way a lawsuit or small claims judgment can. For larger amounts or serious damages, talk to a local attorney about your specific situation — this page is general information, not legal advice.
Most contractor disputes — unfinished work, poor quality, missed deadlines — are civil matters, not criminal ones, so police typically won't get involved. The exception is genuine fraud: someone who took a large deposit with no intention of ever doing the work, used a fake license, or is operating a scam pattern. If you suspect outright fraud, you can file a police report in addition to a licensing board and Attorney General complaint.