Contractor Took a Deposit and Did Not Finish

How These Disputes Commonly Develop

A homeowner contacts a contractor after seeing an advertisement, receiving a referral, or getting an estimate. The contractor provides a proposal and the homeowner agrees to the work. The contractor requests a deposit or initial payment before starting. Work begins — or the contractor represents that it will begin — and the homeowner makes additional draw payments as the project progresses.

At some point the contractor stops working, stops responding, or leaves the project in an incomplete state. The homeowner may have paid a substantial portion of the total contract price. The contractor may claim that additional money is owed, that the homeowner caused the problem, or may simply stop communicating.

Facts That May Help the Firm Understand the Matter

• The total contract price and the payment schedule
• How much was paid and when each payment was made
• What work was completed and what remains unfinished
• When the contractor stopped working or stopped responding
• What the contractor said about the project status before stopping
• Whether the contractor provided any written explanation for stopping
• Whether materials were delivered and whether they remain on the property
• Whether any permits were obtained and whether inspections occurred
• Whether another contractor has assessed the incomplete work
• Whether the contractor has made any demand for additional payment

Documents to Preserve

• The written contract or proposal
• All invoices and receipts for payments made
• Bank records or cancelled checks showing payments
• Text messages, emails, and voicemails from the contractor
• Photographs of the work at each stage, including the current incomplete state
• Any permits or inspection records
• Estimates from other contractors to complete or repair the work
• Any written demands or communications from the contractor

Questions the Intake Should Answer

• What did the contract say about the scope of work and payment schedule?
• How much was paid in total, and what remains unpaid?
• What work was completed before the contractor stopped?
• What did the contractor say about why the work stopped?
• Is the contractor still claiming money is owed?
• Has another contractor assessed the cost to complete or repair the work?
• Is there a pending court case, arbitration, or lien?