What should I do first if a contractor abandons my project?

Send a formal written demand via certified mail giving 10 days to return or resume work. Simultaneously file a complaint with CSLB (Contractors State License Board) if in California. Document everything with photos and gather all contracts, receipts, and communications.

How do I file a claim against a contractor's bond?

Look up the contractor's license on your state licensing board website to find their surety bond information. Contact the bond company directly to file a claim. You'll need documentation of the contract, payments made, work not completed, and often a court judgment. California contractors must carry a $25,000 bond.

Can I recover money from the CSLB recovery fund?

California's Contractor Recovery Fund can pay up to $30,000 per claimant when a licensed contractor cannot pay a judgment. You typically need to exhaust other recovery options first (bond claim, personal judgment) and the contractor must be licensed. The process takes several months after obtaining a court judgment.

Forum → Contracts & Agreements

Contractor ghosted us with $22k - sharing what worked to get money back

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. All participants and conversations are fictional. The fictional posts are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences, or reports of actual results.

Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.

For informational purposes only. Construction disputes involve specific contract terms and state licensing requirements. Consider consulting with a construction attorney for your situation.

Hypothetical question

Wanted to share our experience because I wish I'd found a thread like this when we were going through it. Maybe it'll help someone else.

What happened: Hired a licensed contractor for a bathroom remodel. Total contract was $38,000. Paid $22,000 upfront (stupid, I know - never again). He did demo, rough plumbing, and started framing. Then one day he just... stopped showing up. Excuses for 2 weeks, then total ghost.

What we did to recover our money:

Day 1 of ghosting: Sent text and email asking for update. Documented everything.
Day 7: Sent formal written demand via certified mail - return to work within 10 days or refund $22k minus value of completed work.
Day 7 (same day): Filed CSLB complaint online. Free, took 20 minutes.
Day 14: Got quotes from 2 other contractors to finish the work (needed this to prove damages)
Day 21: No response to demand. Contacted his surety bond company to start a claim.
Day 30: Bond company confirmed claim received, said 60-90 days to process.
Day 45: CSLB investigator contacted me for documentation.
Day 60: Contractor finally called, begging to "work things out." Offered partial refund.
Day 65: After negotiation, he agreed to refund $18,000 (we kept $4k for completed work). Got cashiers check before withdrawing complaints.

I'm convinced the CSLB complaint + bond claim is what got him to respond. He didnt want to lose his license.

Illustrative response

Thank you for posting this! I'm going through this RIGHT NOW. Contractor took $15k and disappeared after demolishing my kitchen. Its been 3 weeks of excuses and now no responses.

Just filed the CSLB complaint based on your timeline. Quick question - how did you find his bond information? I looked up his license on CSLB but I dont see the bond company listed.

Illustrative response

@mike_t_2 On the CSLB license lookup page, look for "bonding information" - it shows the bond number and surety company. Then just google the surety company name to find their claims department contact.

If you cant find it on the website, call CSLB directly at their consumer line. They'll give you the bond info over the phone.

One tip: when you file the bond claim, include copies of:

Your contract
All payment receipts/cancelled checks
Photos of incomplete work
Your demand letter and proof of delivery
Quotes from other contractors to complete the job

The more documentation you have, the faster they process it.

Illustrative response

Update on my situation - sent the demand letter certified mail on Jan 4. Contractor received it Jan 7 (tracked it). Got a call from him on Jan 12!

Hes claiming "personal issues" caused the delay. Offered to either come back and finish OR refund $12k (I paid $15k, he says he did $3k of work). Im leaning toward taking the refund - dont trust him to finish at this point.

Thanks for the advice everyone. The combination of demand letter + CSLB complaint clearly got his attention. Will update once I have money in hand.

Contractor ghosted us with $22k - sharing what worked to get money back

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