California Contractor Deposit Recovery Calculator & Response Hub

Contractor Deposit Calculators

Calculate legal deposit limits, excess deposits, and work completion value

Illegal Deposit Calculator

Calculate if contractor took more than legally allowed (10% or $1,000)

Total Contract Amount

Deposit Amount Requested/Paid

Type of Project

Legal Maximum Deposit

$0

Contract Amount $0

10% of Contract $0

Deposit Paid $0

Work Completion Calculator

Calculate how much you've overpaid vs. work completed

Total Contract Amount

Total Amount Paid to Contractor

Estimated Percentage of Work Completed

Cost to Complete Work (if known)

Amount You May Recover

$0

Value of Work Completed $0

Amount You Paid $0

Overpayment $0

Est. Completion Cost $0

License Requirement Checker

Determine if work required a licensed contractor

Total Contract Value (labor + materials)

Type of Work

Did Contractor Claim to be Licensed?

Unlicensed Contractor Damages

Calculate enhanced damages for unlicensed contractors

Amount Paid to Contractor

Additional Damages (repair costs, etc.)

Was Contractor Operating as Business?

Potential Recovery

$0

Amount Paid $0

Additional Damages $0

Actual Damages Subtotal $0

Treble Damages (3x) if Willful $0

Verify Contractor License

Look up any California contractor's license status with CSLB

Official CSLB License Lookup

Use the official California Contractors State License Board website to verify any contractor's license status, bond, and insurance.

Check License on CSLB Website

What to Check

License number and status (Active/Inactive)
License classification (type of work allowed)
Bond status and amount
Workers' compensation insurance
Complaint history
Business name and address

Red Flags

License is "Inactive" or "Expired"
License classification doesn't match work
No workers' comp (for employees)
Multiple complaints on file
Bond is canceled or insufficient
Name doesn't match contractor

Contractor Dispute Response Generator

Generate professional responses for contractor disputes

Select your situation:

Illegal Deposit Demand

Contractor took more than 10% or $1,000 deposit

Unlicensed Contractor

Contractor worked without required license

Abandoned Project

Contractor stopped work and won't return

Defective Work

Work is substandard or not to code

Mechanics Lien Threat

Contractor threatening to file lien on your property

CSLB Complaint

File complaint with Contractors State License Board

Enter your details:

Your Name

Contractor Name/Company

Contractor License # (if any)

Contract Date

Contract Amount

Amount Paid

Brief Description of Work

Property Address

Contractor Demand Letters

Generate formal demand letters for contractor disputes

Deposit Refund Demand Letter

Demand return of illegal/excess deposit

Popular

Unlicensed Contractor Demand

Recover all payments from unlicensed contractor

Project Abandonment Demand

Demand refund for abandoned project

Defective Work Demand

Demand repair or refund for defective work

Your California Contractor Rights

Key protections under California Business & Professions Code

B&P Code 7159 - Deposits

Max deposit: 10% of contract OR $1,000 (whichever is less)
Swimming pools: 2% or $200 max
Cannot demand full payment upfront
Progress payments tied to work completed
Violations are criminal misdemeanor

B&P Code 7031 - Licensing

License required for work over $500
Unlicensed contractor cannot sue for payment
You can recover ALL payments made
No offset for work completed
May recover attorney fees

Enhanced Damages

Unlicensed: Full refund of payments
Elder abuse: Up to 3x damages
CLRA violations: Statutory damages
Fraud: Punitive damages available
Small claims: Up to $12,500