Why documentation decides the outcome
An inspector, a Contractors Board investigator, a bond company, or a judge was not there. They decide based on what you can show them. The goal is a file that lets a stranger understand, in ten minutes, what was promised, what was delivered, and what it costs to fix.
1. Gather the paper
- The contract. Every page, with signatures, plus any estimate or proposal it refers to.
- Plans and specifications. Drawings, product selections, color or material sheets, and the written scope of work.
- Change orders. Signed or not. Note which ones you approved in writing.
- Proof of payment. Checks, card statements, bank transfers, receipts, and lender draw records.
- Permits and inspections. Permit numbers, inspection cards, correction notices. Most building departments let you search these online by address.
- Messages. Texts, emails, and voicemails with the contractor. Export or screenshot them with dates visible.
- The contractor's details. Business name, license number, and the names of the people you dealt with.
2. Photograph the work properly
- Take a wide shot that shows where the problem is, then a close shot that shows what it is.
- Include a tape measure, level, or coin in the frame when size or slope matters.
- Keep the original files. They carry the date and time. Do not edit or filter them.
- Photograph before anyone repairs or covers the work. If an emergency repair cannot wait, photograph first, and keep any removed materials.
- Video is useful for leaks, doors that do not close, and anything that moves.
3. Write a timeline
List events in date order, one line each. Describe what happened in neutral, factual language. "Crew did not return after June 3" is more useful than "they abandoned us and do not care."
| Date | What happened | Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 4 | Signed contract, $28,400, completion in 8 weeks | Contract p. 1 to 4 |
| Mar 6 | Paid deposit $5,000 | Check 1182 |
| Apr 22 | City framing inspection failed | Correction notice |
| Jun 3 | Last day any crew was on site | Doorbell camera |
| Jun 20 | Texted contractor asking for schedule, no reply | Screenshot |
4. Get an independent inspection
A written report from a neutral professional is usually the single most important document in the file. Choose a licensed inspector or engineer who is not bidding on the repair. A competing contractor's opinion can be discounted as biased, because that contractor stands to gain from the work.
A useful report identifies each problem, explains which code section, manufacturer instruction, plan detail, or industry standard it falls short of, and includes photographs. Reports typically start around $400.
5. Get written repair bids
Ask two or three licensed contractors for written, itemized bids to correct or complete the work described in the inspection report. Bids establish what the dispute is worth.
6. Communicate in writing from here on
Follow up any phone call with a short email or text confirming what was said. Stay factual and polite. Assume everything you write will be read later by someone deciding the dispute.
Keep the contractor's access in mind. Some remedies require that the contractor be given notice and a chance to inspect or repair before you hire someone else. If the amount is significant, get advice before you replace the contractor.
This page is general information about Nevada law, not legal advice. Every dispute turns on its own facts and documents.