How to Handle Incomplete or Poor Quality Work by a Contractor

September 26, 2025
Business Law

When you hire a contractor, you should feel confident that they’ll finish your project to suit your needs. However, when they abandon the work or do a poor job, the fallout can be frustrating and costly. Knowing how to handle a bad contractor is vital to protecting your property, rights, and finances.

Contractor disputes are common in Frederick, but there are legal steps you can take to fix the issue and possibly recover your losses. If you need legal help with a dispute, contact Lusk Law, LLC at (443) 535-9715.

Signs You’re Dealing with a Bad Contractor

It’s normal to expect minor delays with any building project, but serious contractor problems go beyond simple issues with their schedule. Some common warning signs include:

Repeated missed deadlines with no clear explanation
Avoidance and excuses instead of solving the problem
Poor work that doesn’t meet industry standards
Frequent absences or difficulty getting in touch with them
Unexpected cost increases that don’t seem justified
Lack of the necessary permits or failure to follow building codes.

If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s time to act before the situation gets worse.

What to Do About Incomplete Contractor Assignments

If your contractor has left work unfinished or outright abandoned the job, don’t panic. There are things you can do to regain control and protect yourself.

Start by trying to reach out to the contractor and asking for an update. Some delays can’t be avoided, but a professional will give you a clear timeline for your project to be finished.

Always document everything. Keep copies of texts, emails, and written notes from phone conversations. Take photos of any poor-quality or unfinished work. If you made payments, keep all of your invoices, receipts, and bank records.

Should the contractor refuse to answer your calls or fix the problem, you may need to take a stronger stance.

How to Handle Incomplete Work by a Contractor

Look Over Your Contract Carefully

A well-written contract is your best tool in a dispute with a contractor. Read over the terms carefully, including:

Project deadlines
The agreed scope of the work
Steps to resolve a dispute (like mediation or arbitration)
Any written guarantees or warranties.

Maryland law protects consumers from fraud and breach of contract, so you’ll want to know your legal foundation before you go any further.

Send a Formal Demand Letter

A formal demand letter is usually the first legal step to fix a contractor dispute. It should include:

A clear description of the problem (unfinished work, poor quality, missed deadlines)
A demand for a resolution (finish the work, refund, or repair)
A deadline for the contractor’s response (generally 7-14 days).

You’ll also want to include a statement that indicates the potential for legal action if the issue isn’t corrected. In a lot of cases, the threat of legal action is enough to get a response from contractors.

A strong demand letter from Lusk Law, LLC can encourage a contractor to finish their obligations or agree to a fair settlement.

Withhold Payments

State law does not require you to pay for work that hasn’t been finished. If your contractor has failed to deliver on their promises, do not make any additional payments until the job is done correctly. If you’ve overpaid for incomplete work, ask an attorney about your legal options.

Be wary of contractors who demand additional payments outside of your written contract. Never agree to pay them without legal advice. Many contractor disputes start with unjustified and excessive cost increases.

File a Complaint

Maryland home improvement contractors have to be licensed through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. If your contractor is licensed, you can file a complaint that could lead to mediation or being able to make a claim to the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. The contractor can loose their license, if they do not pay the Guaranty Award. If you find out your contractor is not licensed, you could have additional legal options for fraud and deceptive trade practices.

Consider Legal Action

If the contractor refuses to finish the work or correct mistakes, you may have to take legal action.

A lawsuit for breach of contract can be used to pressure the contractor to finish the work. It can also require them to give a refund or compensate the customer and reimburse for the costs of hiring a new contractor. If your losses are less than $5,000, you can litigate the matter in small claims court. Any disputes over $5,000 are large claims in District Court or handled in Circuit Court.

Sometimes, shady contractors might try to file a mechanic’s lien against your property by claiming that you owe them money. If you’re facing an unfair lien, an attorney can help you dispute it and protect your home or business.

Preventing Future Contractor Problems

Shady contractors can be tough to spot. Here are a few things to keep in mind for future projects:

Never pay the full amount up front. A deposit is reasonable, but payments should be tied to the contractor’s progress. Maryland law does not permit a deposit of more than 1/3 of the contract price for home improvement contracts.
Get copies of all agreements in writing.
Research their licenses, complaints, and previous work quality.
Keep tabs on the contractor’s progress and raise concerns early to avoid bigger problems.

By being proactive, you can lessen your chances of costly disputes and make sure your project is finished properly.

Hiring a New Contractor to Finish the Work

Once you’re done dealing with the bad contractor, the next step is to find a reputable professional to finish or fix the work. To avoid future problems, make sure to verify the new contractor’s license and insurance. Look up reviews and references, get several quotes before you make a decision, and get a detailed written contract that’ll protect you.

It may be tempting to cut costs at this point, but choosing the cheapest option isn’t always the best choice. A good contractor might cost more, but they’ll save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

Get the Help You Need for Your Contractor Dispute

Advocates for Life’s Obstacles and Opportunities

If you’re struggling with an unfinished, abandoned, or defective project, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Lusk Law, LLC has helped numerous business and homeowners in Frederick and surrounding counties, recover their losses, enforce contracts, and fight back against bad contractors.

As powerful advocates for our clients, we’re here to help. Call our office today at (443) 535-9715 to talk about your case.