Demand letters
How do I send a demand letter to a contractor?
Updated · By the Certified Letter Online team
Write to the contractor's business address (and the address in your contract) listing the work that is unfinished or defective, what the contract required, what you want (finish, fix or refund) and a deadline, then send it Certified with return receipt. If the contractor is licensed, mention that you may file a complaint with your state's contractor licensing board; many boards ask you to try to resolve it in writing first.
| Include | Example |
|---|---|
| Contract details | Date, scope, price, deposit paid |
| Problems | Each item with date and photo reference |
| Remedy | Complete by X, repair Y, or refund $Z |
| Deadline | A specific date |
| Next steps | Licensing board complaint, small claims, bond claim |
| License number | From your state's contractor license lookup |
Check the contract for notice rules
Construction contracts often require written notice of defects and a chance to cure, and some states have pre-suit notice laws for construction defects. Follow any notice clause exactly, including the address and method.
In Texas, a consumer claim may also need a DTPA notice 60 days before suit.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, a legal aid office or a licensed attorney in your state can tell you what applies.
Quick answers
Should photos go with the letter?
Yes. Upload them as extra pages in a PDF; we print what you upload in black and white, so describe colors and details in the text.
Can I file against the contractor's bond?
In many states licensed contractors carry a bond. Your licensing board explains how to make a claim.
What if the contractor isn't licensed?
Tell your state licensing board and consider small claims. Some states limit what unlicensed contractors can collect.
What to do next
Fill in the contractor demand, add your photos as extra pages, and we'll mail it Certified with return receipt for $17.99.
Send to my contractorSources
- USA.gov: State consumer protection offices
- Texas Business & Commerce Code ch. 17 (DTPA), section 17.505
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.