Contractor ghosted us with $22k - sharing what worked to get money back

Wanted to share our experience because I wish I'd found a thread like this when we were going through it. Maybe it'll help someone else.

What happened: Hired a licensed contractor for a bathroom remodel. Total contract was $38,000. Paid $22,000 upfront (stupid, I know - never again). He did demo, rough plumbing, and started framing. Then one day he just... stopped showing up. Excuses for 2 weeks, then total ghost.

What we did to recover our money:

1. Day 1 of ghosting: Sent text and email asking for update. Documented everything.
2. Day 7: Sent formal written demand via certified mail - return to work within 10 days or refund $22k minus value of completed work.
3. Day 7 (same day): Filed CSLB complaint online. Free, took 20 minutes.
4. Day 14: Got quotes from 2 other contractors to finish the work (needed this to prove damages)
5. Day 21: No response to demand. Contacted his surety bond company to start a claim.
6. Day 30: Bond company confirmed claim received, said 60-90 days to process.
7. Day 45: CSLB investigator contacted me for documentation.
8. Day 60: Contractor finally called, begging to "work things out." Offered partial refund.
9. Day 65: After negotiation, he agreed to refund $18,000 (we kept $4k for completed work). Got cashiers check before withdrawing complaints.

I'm convinced the CSLB complaint + bond claim is what got him to respond. He didnt want to lose his license.

Thank you for posting this! I'm going through this RIGHT NOW. Contractor took $15k and disappeared after demolishing my kitchen. Its been 3 weeks of excuses and now no responses.

Just filed the CSLB complaint based on your timeline. Quick question - how did you find his bond information? I looked up his license on CSLB but I dont see the bond company listed.

@ContractorNightmare On the CSLB license lookup page, look for "bonding information" - it shows the bond number and surety company. Then just google the surety company name to find their claims department contact.

If you cant find it on the website, call CSLB directly at their consumer line. They'll give you the bond info over the phone.

One tip: when you file the bond claim, include copies of:

• Your contract
• All payment receipts/cancelled checks
• Photos of incomplete work
• Your demand letter and proof of delivery
• Quotes from other contractors to complete the job

The more documentation you have, the faster they process it.

Construction attorney here. Great thread - @CaliforniaHomeowner did almost everything right. A few additional points for others in this situation:

Recovery options in order of effectiveness:

1. Demand letter + negotiation - cheapest, fastest if contractor responds
2. Bond claim - CA contractors must carry $25k bond. No lawsuit required. Can take 60-90 days.
3. Small claims court - for amounts under $12,500. No lawyer needed.
4. Superior court - for amounts over $12,500. May need attorney.
5. CSLB Recovery Fund - up to $30k if contractor cant pay. Requires exhausting other options first.

Important timing:

• File CSLB complaint ASAP - investigations take months
• Bond claims have a 4-year statute of limitations from the contract violation
• Small claims has 2-year limit for oral contracts, 4-year for written

If contractor was unlicensed: You may be able to recover ALL money paid (even for completed work) under Business & Professions Code 7031. Unlicensed contractor can't legally collect payment. This is a big deal - always verify license BEFORE hiring.

Adding my experience - similar situation but worse outcome initially, better outcome eventually.

Contractor took $35k, did about $8k of work, disappeared. I did all the steps above - CSLB complaint, bond claim, demand letter. He completely ignored everything.

Bond company paid out $25k (the full bond amount) after about 75 days. That was shared among 3 of us who filed claims though, so I only got about $10k from the bond.

Then I filed in Superior Court for the remaining balance. Got a default judgment because he didnt show up. Still couldn't collect because he had no assets.

FINALLY - applied to the CSLB Recovery Fund with my uncollectable judgment. Took another 4 months but they paid me an additional $15k.

Total recovered: $25k out of $35k paid. Not whole, but better than nothing. The process took about 10 months total.

Moral of the story: use EVERY avenue available. Don't give up.

Update on my situation - sent the demand letter certified mail on Jan 4. Contractor received it Jan 7 (tracked it). Got a call from him on Jan 12!

Hes claiming "personal issues" caused the delay. Offered to either come back and finish OR refund $12k (I paid $15k, he says he did $3k of work). Im leaning toward taking the refund - dont trust him to finish at this point.

Thanks for the advice everyone. The combination of demand letter + CSLB complaint clearly got his attention. Will update once I have money in hand.