What it looks like
- Tile, flooring, or countertops out of level
- Drywall cracks, nail pops, and visible seams
- Doors and windows that do not close or seal
- Leaks at roofs, windows, showers, or plumbing connections
- Cracked or badly sloped concrete and stucco
- Electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work that does not function properly
What Nevada law says
NRS 624.3017 allows the State Contractors Board to discipline a contractor for workmanship that is not commensurate with the standards of the trade or that does not meet local building codes. After a complaint, the Board can inspect the work and order the contractor to correct it.
Defective work on a home may also be a "constructional defect" under NRS Chapter 40. That law covers defects in a new residence and in an alteration of or addition to an existing residence, when the work creates an unreasonable risk of injury or was not completed in a good and workmanlike manner and causes physical damage. Chapter 40 has its own required notice and repair process before a lawsuit can be filed.
The facts that matter
These are the questions that decide whether there is a practical path to recovery.
- The specific standard the work falls short of: a code section, a manufacturer instruction, a plan detail, or an accepted industry tolerance
- Whether the defect has caused physical damage, or is cosmetic
- Whether the contractor was told and given a chance to correct it
- When the work was done and when the problem was discovered
- The cost to repair it properly
Proof to gather
- A written report from an independent inspector or engineer
- Photographs with a level, tape measure, or other reference
- The contract, plans, and product specifications
- Written repair bids
- Messages in which you reported the problem
See our guide to documenting a contractor dispute.
Options that usually fit
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.
Construction defect claims (Chapter 40)
The required process for defects in a new home, addition, or alteration.
Bond and Recovery Fund claims
Two sources of recovery that do not depend on the contractor's ability to pay.
Small claims and Justice Court
Usually the best route for disputes under about $7,500. You do not need a lawyer.
Common questions
Who decides whether work is below standard?
Not you, and not the contractor. Workmanship is measured against building codes, manufacturer installation instructions, the plans, and accepted trade tolerances. That is why a written report from a neutral inspector or engineer is so important.
Why not just get an opinion from another contractor?
A competing contractor who would be paid for the repair can be portrayed as biased. A licensed inspector or engineer who is not bidding on the work carries more weight with the Board, a bond company, and a court.
This page is general information about Nevada law, not legal advice. Every dispute turns on its own facts and documents.