Compare the unfinished work with the signed scope, change orders, payment schedule, and promised dates. Photograph the current condition, list the specific items that remain, and ask the contractor for a written plan or explanation. If the dispute continues, check state consumer protection and contractor-licensing complaint options.
Address urgent hazards and preserve the record
If unfinished work has left a gas, electrical, structural, or other immediate hazard, use the appropriate emergency service or qualified professional. A complaint process is not an emergency repair service. Photograph conditions from a safe position and keep receipts for measures taken to protect the property.
Before another contractor changes the work, document the condition and obtain a written description of what they found. Avoid attributing damage to a particular person unless the evidence supports that conclusion. Keep the difference between unfinished work and allegedly defective work clear.
Make a promised-versus-completed worksheet
Collect the contract and every change order, including messages about agreed changes. The FTC advises keeping written descriptions of the work, materials, price, and completion dates. Requirements and remedies vary by state.
Official guidance: FTC: How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam.
| Contract item | Current condition | Record to attach |
|---|---|---|
| Install four windows | Three installed; one opening remains unfinished | Contract line, dated photos, delivery messages |
| Complete permit inspection | No result received | Permit reference and written request for inspection status |
| Final finishing work | Trim listed in contract remains unpainted | Scope page and photos |
Replace the sample rows with your project. Record delays you agreed to as well as dates the contractor missed. A fair timeline includes both parties’ changes.
Reconcile the payments without guessing at value
- List each payment, its date, method, and stated purpose.
- Separate the original contract price from approved changes.
- Identify any deposit, progress payment, or financing disbursement.
- Ask for an account of materials or completed work the contractor says your payments cover.
- Keep replacement-work estimates separate from money already paid.
Do not label the whole contract price as your loss simply because some work remains. State the amount paid and the basis for any refund request. If you dispute an installment or a lender has financed the job, seek advice about those obligations before stopping payment.
Read the contract’s notice, termination, and opportunity-to-correct terms. State law may impose additional requirements. Filing an agency complaint does not automatically terminate the contract or release a lien.
Send a focused written completion request
An unfinished cabinet installation
Our agreement dated [date] includes installation of six cabinets and completion of the trim. Four cabinets are installed; the remaining two and the trim are unfinished. I have paid [amount], as shown in the attached payment list. Please provide a written completion schedule and explain the status of the remaining materials. If you cannot complete the agreed work, please respond with your proposed resolution.
Use only the parts that match your situation. Describe any previous completion dates and unanswered contacts. After a call, send a written summary and ask the contractor to correct any misunderstanding.
Official guidance: FTC: How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam.
Choose outside help with authority over the project
Use the state consumer office directory to find the relevant office. Ask whether a state or local licensing board handles the contractor’s trade and type of work. A local building department can answer permit or inspection questions, but it may not mediate your payment dispute.
For a complaint, include the business name, license number if known, property location, contract, change orders, payment list, photos, and your written request. Describe the result you seek without claiming that an agency must obtain it.
If you suspect a scam, consult the FTC’s home improvement guidance. For a large loss, threatened lien, or termination dispute, seek local legal help. The complaint letter template is an organizing tool, not a formal termination notice.
Official guidance: FTC: How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam.
Common questions
Should I pay the final bill before the work is complete?
Compare the bill with the contract and applicable state rules. Do not treat an agency complaint as permission to ignore an existing payment obligation; get advice if you dispute what is due.
Does a contractor complaint guarantee reimbursement?
No. A licensing investigation, mediation, bond claim, and court case are different processes with different requirements.
Can I hire someone else to finish immediately?
Urgent safety work may be necessary, but contract termination and notice requirements can affect a replacement decision. Preserve evidence and check the requirements first.
Keep going
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Sources and page information
Official source links checked September 24, 2026. Requirements can change; use the relevant agency’s current instructions.
Prepared with AI assistance. Examples and worksheets are illustrative. This is general information, not legal advice. We do not submit complaints, determine eligibility, or guarantee a result.