Contractor disputes
A clear path forward when a contractor lets you down.
Unfinished work. Defects. Failed inspections. A contract that was not honored. We help property owners sort out what happened, which options actually fit, and what it takes to get to a resolution.
- 1NOT PER PLANRoof detail differs from the approved drawings.
- 2BELOW STANDARDCracking beyond accepted tolerance.
- 3CODEWindow installation failed inspection.
- 4CONTRACTBuilt short of what was agreed and paid for.
Facts first
Contractor disputes are won on documents and proof, not on how frustrating the experience was.
Four questions decide most contractor disputes.
Before we talk about options, we look for the facts that open a path to recovery. Our intake is built around them, so your first conversation with us is about what can be done.
Was there a contract?
A signed agreement, an estimate you accepted, or a clear trail of messages. The contract defines what the contractor promised and what you paid for.
Were there plans or specifications?
Plans, drawings, product selections, or a written scope show what was supposed to be built, and make a deviation easy to demonstrate.
Is there a code or permit violation?
A failed inspection, missing permit, or work that does not meet the building code is objective. It does not depend on anyone's opinion.
Is the work below industry standard?
Workmanship is measured against accepted tolerances. An independent inspector can say, in writing, whether the work falls outside them.
Common problems
What went wrong with your project?
Each guide explains what the problem is, which facts matter, and which options usually fit under Nevada law.
Breach of contract
The contractor did not do what the agreement required.
Abandoned or unfinished work
The crew stopped showing up, or the job was never completed.
Defective workmanship
The work was done, but it was done poorly.
Deviation from plans or wrong materials
What was built is not what the plans or contract called for.
No permits or code violations
Work was done without permits or does not meet the building code.
Overbilling and change orders
Large deposits, inflated invoices, and charges you never approved.
Unlicensed contractor
You found out the contractor was never licensed.
Property damage
The contractor damaged your home or belongings during the job.
Misrepresentation and fraud
You were misled about something that mattered.
Defects in a new home
Problems in a home you bought from a builder.
Your options
The right path depends on the facts, the amount at stake, and what you want to happen.
Not every dispute needs a lawsuit. Most should not start with one.
Case review and demand letter
A fixed-fee review of your file and a formal demand, when the breach and the amount are clear.
Contractors Board complaint
For clear licensing violations: abandonment, code problems, departures from plans, substandard work.
Bond and Recovery Fund claims
Two sources of recovery that do not depend on the contractor's ability to pay.
Construction defect claims (Chapter 40)
The required process for defects in a new home, addition, or alteration.
HOA construction defect claims
For associations dealing with defects in common elements and association-maintained areas.
Small claims and Justice Court
Usually the best route for disputes under about $7,500. You do not need a lawyer.
Civil litigation
For larger disputes with strong facts, when earlier steps have not resolved the matter.
Criminal complaints
Unlicensed contracting, diversion of funds, and theft. Where to report, and what to expect.
What to expect
A professional process, start to finish.
Your file is reviewed before the call
You submit the facts and documents once. We review them first, so no one spends an hour on the phone retelling the story.
Straight answers
If the path to recovery is difficult or would cost more than the dispute is worth, we say so, and point you to small claims or self-help tools that fit better.
Defined scope
Demand letters and Contractors Board complaints are handled as fixed-fee engagements with a written scope. You know what is included before you commit.
Self-help
Prefer to handle it yourself?
Many smaller disputes can be resolved without a lawyer. Our self-help section has a documentation guide, a demand letter builder, and instructions for checking a contractor's license and bond.
Open the self-help toolsHomeowners associations
Defects in common areas or across a community?
Associations can pursue construction defect claims for common elements and, in some cases, on behalf of owners. We review association matters under the same fact-first process.
HOA construction defect claimsFree case review
Tell us what happened. We will tell you where you stand.
Tell us the facts once, in writing. We review them before anyone gets on the phone, so the conversation is about your options and not about repeating the story.