Contractor Dispute Guide
You paid for work that never got finished. Put the demand in writing.
A contractor who stopped showing up, took the deposit and disappeared, or left the job half-done isn't just a frustration — it's a breach of what you agreed to pay for. A formal written demand is the right move before small claims court or a consumer protection complaint.
Write it free below. If you'd rather not deal with the printer and post office, we mail it for you — first class for $10, or certified with delivery tracking for $19.
Best fit
- You paid a deposit or progress payment
- The contractor stopped showing up or communicating
- Work was started but left incomplete
- You want a paper trail before your next step
This is the letter you'll send
No guessing about wording. You fill in your details and the builder produces a clean, dated demand letter like this one — ready to download or have us mail.
Karen Wells 58 Maple Street Nashua, NH 03060
May 29, 2026
Precision Remodeling LLC 310 Industrial Way Manchester, NH 03101
Dear Precision Remodeling LLC,
I am writing about the work you agreed to perform at 58 Maple Street, Nashua, NH.
On March 3, 2026, we agreed that you would remodel the upstairs bathroom, including tile, plumbing fixtures, and vanity installation. I paid $6,500 toward this work. As of today, the following work remains unfinished: the shower tile is incomplete and the vanity and plumbing fixtures have not been installed.
Please complete the remaining work by June 12, 2026, or contact me immediately to arrange a refund for the portion of the work that was not completed.
If I do not hear from you by that date, I will consider additional next steps to resolve this matter.
Sincerely,
Karen Wells
How it works
Fill in your details
Your details, the contractor's mailing address, what you paid, and what's left unfinished. Takes a couple of minutes.
Download free, or let us mail it
Print and mail it yourself at no cost — or hand it off and skip the errand entirely.
We print, stamp, and send
First class for $10, or certified mail with tracking for $19 so you have proof it was delivered.
Why a written demand matters here
Contractor disputes are common. What is less common is having good documentation when they happen. Most homeowners have texts, voicemails, and a vague memory of what was agreed to — but no clear written record of what they demanded before filing a complaint or going to court.
A formal written demand letter does two things. First, it gives the contractor one final, documented opportunity to finish the work or return your money. Some contractors who have gone quiet will respond to a real letter when they would ignore another text. Second, it creates the paper trail that every court and consumer protection office wants to see before they take your complaint seriously.
If the contractor is in Massachusetts, a written demand may also be the required first step under Massachusetts Chapter 93A before you can file a lawsuit for unfair business practices. In New Hampshire, a similar consumer protection framework exists under RSA 358-A.
What to put in the letter
- Your name and the property address where work was to be performed
- The contractor's name and business name
- The date the contract or agreement was made, and the agreed scope of work
- A description of what was supposed to be done versus what was actually completed
- The total amount you paid, with dates — deposits, progress payments, or full payment
- A specific demand: either complete the remaining work by a stated deadline, or return the portion of payment for work not performed
- A clear deadline — 14 to 21 days for completion, or 10 to 14 days for a refund demand
- A brief statement of your next steps if the deadline is not met
Be specific about the numbers. If you paid $6,000 and the job is half done, state that $6,000 was paid and describe what portion of the scope remains. Vague amounts give the contractor room to argue. Exact figures do not.
What to avoid
Do not let the letter become a full account of every frustration you have had with the contractor. State the facts — what was agreed, what was paid, what is unfinished — and make the demand. Courts and consumer protection offices are looking for documented facts, not venting.
Also avoid threatening things you have not looked into yet. If you plan to file a complaint with the state consumer protection office or small claims court, say so. If you are not sure yet, leave it as a general statement that you will pursue all available remedies.
Where to file a complaint if needed
If the letter does not resolve the situation, you have options beyond small claims court. New Hampshire and Massachusetts both have consumer protection offices that handle contractor disputes.
- NH: NH Attorney General Consumer Protection Bureau — doj.nh.gov
- MA: MA Attorney General Consumer Protection — mass.gov/ago
- Both states: Small claims court for disputes within the dollar limit
What typically happens after the letter arrives
The contractor responds and finishes the work. Some contractors who have gone quiet will respond to a formal written demand when they would not respond to calls or texts. A letter signals you are serious and keeping records.
The contractor offers a partial refund or negotiates. A letter can open a conversation. Whether to accept a partial resolution is your decision — but having the demand in writing gives you more leverage than a verbal back-and-forth.
The contractor ignores it. Now you have documentation. A mailed letter with a postmark, combined with your contract, receipts, and photos of the unfinished work, is the foundation for a small claims filing or a consumer protection complaint. Both NH and MA small claims courts handle home improvement disputes within their dollar limits.
Official sources
General information only, not legal advice. Contractor disputes can involve contract law, consumer protection statutes, and licensing rules that vary by state and situation. Consult a qualified attorney if you have questions about your specific case.
Choose how it gets mailed
Writing and downloading your letter is always free. You only pay if you want us to handle the printing and mailing.
Ready to write it?
Open the contractor completion demand template, add the project facts and deadline, then download it free or have Forman3D print and mail it.