# A contractor took the money and walked off: what to do > Gather the contract, receipts and messages, and photograph the work as it is. Send a written notice asking them to finish or refund by a deadline. Check their license and file a complaint with your state licensing board; some states have recovery funds. Ask for lien waivers, and use a credit card dispute or small claims court to recover money. Report it to police if they took a deposit and never started. - URL: https://explained.page/contractor-walked-off - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=contractor-walked-off ## Step by step 1. **A contractor took the money and walked off?** Frustrating, and common. Here’s how to document it, push them to finish, and get money back. 2. **Gather your contract and payments.** Find the contract, receipts, bank or card records and every text and email. 3. **Photograph the work as it is.** Show what’s done, what isn’t, and any damage, with dates. Do this before anyone else touches it. 4. **Send a written notice with a deadline.** Ask them to finish or refund by a specific date. Keep it short and factual, and send it so you can prove it arrived. 5. **Check their license and file a complaint.** Your state’s contractor licensing board can investigate. Some states have recovery funds that repay homeowners hurt by licensed contractors. 6. **Watch for liens on your house.** If the contractor didn’t pay workers or suppliers, they may file a lien on your home. Ask for lien waivers when you pay, and get advice if one is filed. 7. **Ways to get money back.** If you paid by credit card, ask about a dispute. For smaller amounts, small claims court. If they took a deposit and never started, report it to police too. 8. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. ## Checklist - Gather the contract, receipts and messages - Photograph the work as it is - Send a written notice with a deadline - File a licensing board complaint - Watch for liens - Card dispute or small claims ## Document everything Collect the contract, receipts, bank or card records, and every text and email. Photograph what’s done, what isn’t, and any damage, with dates. ## Give them a chance, in writing Send a short, factual notice asking them to finish or refund by a specific date. Send it so you can prove it arrived. ## Use the licensing board Look up their license on your state’s contractor licensing site and file a complaint. Some states have recovery funds that repay homeowners harmed by licensed contractors. ## Protect your home Unpaid workers or suppliers may be able to put a lien on your house. Ask for lien waivers when you pay, and get advice if a lien is filed. ## Get money back - **Card dispute:** if you paid by credit card, ask your card company soon. - **Small claims court:** for amounts under your state’s limit. - **Police:** if they took a deposit and never started, it may be fraud. ## Before hiring someone new Get written bids and make sure the new contractor documents what they found. ## Common questions ### How much should a contractor take up front? Some states cap deposits for home improvement work. A modest deposit, with the rest paid as work is finished, protects you. Source page: https://explained.page/contractor-walked-off/questions/how-much-should-a-contractor-take-up-front ### Can I hire someone else to finish? Usually yes, after you’ve documented everything and given written notice. Keep records of what the new work costs. Source page: https://explained.page/contractor-walked-off/questions/can-i-hire-someone-else-to-finish ### Can I sue a contractor for unfinished work? Yes. For amounts under your state’s limit, small claims court is often simplest. Bring the contract, payments, photos and your written notice. Source page: https://explained.page/contractor-walked-off/questions/can-i-sue-a-contractor-for-unfinished-work ### What is a mechanic’s lien? A legal claim on your property by someone who worked on it or supplied materials and wasn’t paid. It can block a sale or refinance until it’s resolved. Source page: https://explained.page/contractor-walked-off/questions/what-is-a-mechanics-lien ### How do I check if a contractor is licensed? Search your state’s contractor licensing board website for their name or license number. Many also show complaints and discipline. Source page: https://explained.page/contractor-walked-off/questions/how-do-i-check-if-a-contractor-is-licensed ### Is it a crime if a contractor takes a deposit and never shows up? It can be, depending on the facts and your state. Report it to police and your state attorney general, especially if others were affected. Source page: https://explained.page/contractor-walked-off/questions/is-it-a-crime-if-a-contractor-takes-a-deposit-and-never-shows-up ### Can I dispute a contractor payment on my credit card? Often yes, especially for work not done. Contact your card company soon; there are time limits. Source page: https://explained.page/contractor-walked-off/questions/can-i-dispute-a-contractor-payment-on-my-credit-card ### What should a good home improvement contract include? The work in detail, materials, price, payment schedule, start and finish dates, permits, license number, and how changes are handled. Source page: https://explained.page/contractor-walked-off/questions/what-should-a-good-home-improvement-contract-include ## Official sources - [FTC consumer advice: hiring a contractor](https://consumer.ftc.gov/) - [USA.gov: consumer complaints](https://www.usa.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your state] contractor license lookup" - "[your state] contractor recovery fund" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.