Consumer advice · Practical next steps
Contractor stopped showing up? Document the unfinished work before your next move
Create a project record, request a written completion plan, and check your contract before replacing the contractor.
What should I do if my contractor stops working?
Document the project’s condition, payments, and missed milestones. Ask for a written status update and realistic completion plan. Review the contract’s notice and termination provisions and check state guidance before withholding payment, terminating, or hiring a replacement.
Key takeaways
Photograph incomplete work and safety concerns.
Compare payments with agreed milestones.
Request a dated completion plan in writing.
Check local rules before ending the contract.
Create a dated snapshot of the project
Photograph each unfinished area, materials left on site, and any visible damage. Save the contract, change orders, payment receipts, permits, and messages. Make a short timeline of work dates and missed commitments. Separate an inconvenience from an urgent hazard; if exposed wiring, water intrusion, or structural concerns threaten safety, seek qualified local help promptly.
Ask for a concrete plan rather than another reassurance
Request the remaining tasks, who will perform them, necessary inspections, and proposed completion dates. Ask whether materials, permits, or subcontractor availability are causing the delay. Follow the contract’s method for notices and retain delivery proof. A short factual message is easier to evaluate than a long argument about motives. Do not label the contractor a scammer merely because the project is delayed.
Check the consequences before hiring someone else
The FTC recommends written contracts, checking licensing and insurance, and avoiding full payment up front. For a project already in trouble, your next move depends on the contract and state law. Termination, payment withholding, liens, and recovery funds can involve specific requirements. Contact the relevant licensing board or consumer office and consider legal advice before making an irreversible decision. If you obtain a second contractor’s assessment, ask for a written description of incomplete or defective work and the estimated correction cost.
Match the issue to the evidence
| Issue or record | What to check |
|---|---|
| Contract and changes | What work was promised |
| Payments and milestones | What has been paid and completed |
| Photos and inspection records | Current condition and concerns |
A message you can adapt
As of [date], these agreed tasks remain incomplete: [list]. Please provide a written status update and proposed completion schedule by [reasonable date]. This request concerns contract [reference] and the attached project record.Illustrative wording. Replace the brackets with your facts and send copies of relevant records.
Common questions
Can I immediately stop all payments?
That depends on the contract and local law. Check your obligations and options before withholding a payment.
Does a licensing complaint recover my money?
Not necessarily. Licensing enforcement and financial recovery may follow different processes. Ask the board what remedies it handles.
Sources and article information
Official guidance checked October 6, 2026. Consult the linked sources for current instructions.
Prepared with AI assistance. General information, not legal advice. Examples and illustrations are explanatory; we do not submit complaints or guarantee outcomes.
Turn your records into a clear complaint
- Organize the relevant evidence.
- State the correction you want.
- Choose the right complaint route.
Free guidance, one step at a time.