Pool Contractor Abandoned My Project - Half-Dug Hole in Backyard (2025)

I am absolutely devastated and don't know what to do. We hired a pool contractor in September to build an in-ground pool. We've paid $45,000 so far - that's about 60% of the total $75,000 contract.

The crew came out, demolished part of our patio, dug a massive hole in the backyard, and then... just stopped showing up. That was 6 weeks ago. I have a 12-foot deep hole in my yard that's now filling with rainwater. It's a safety hazard - I have kids.

What's happened so far:

• Contractor stopped answering calls around Thanksgiving
• Texts go through but no response
• Went to their office - it's closed, no sign on the door
• Their website is still up but phone just rings
• We found out 2 other neighbors are in the same situation

We're looking at a half-dug hole, $45K gone, and winter coming. My wife is in tears. We saved for 3 years for this pool and now we might lose everything. I don't even know if we can afford to have someone else finish it.

What are our options? Can we recover any money? Do we sue? File a police report? I'm completely lost here.

I'm really sorry you're going through this. Unfortunately, pool contractor abandonment is one of the most common construction disputes I see. Here's what you need to know:

Step 1: Verify their license status (do this TODAY)

Go to the California Contractors State License Board website (cslb.ca.gov) and look up this contractor. You need to verify:

• Do they have a valid C-53 (Swimming Pool) contractor license?
• Is the license active or has it been suspended/revoked?
• Do they have a contractor's bond on file?
• What's their bond amount? (minimum is $25,000 in CA)

Step 2: File a CSLB complaint IMMEDIATELY

The CSLB has enforcement powers. They can revoke licenses, and more importantly, they can help you access the contractor's bond. File online at cslb.ca.gov - there's a specific complaint form for abandoned projects.

Step 3: Check if they're bonded

If they have a valid bond, you can file a claim against it. The bond exists specifically to protect consumers like you. However, bond amounts are limited ($25K is the minimum) and if multiple homeowners are filing claims, it may not cover everyone's losses.

You should also consider sending a formal demand letter before pursuing litigation. There are templates specifically for pool contractor disputes at California Pool Contractor Demand Letter that cover the specific CSLB requirements.

I went through almost the exact same thing in 2024. Pool contractor took $38K, did excavation and some plumbing, then vanished. Took me 8 months but I recovered about $22K. Here's exactly what I did:

The CSLB complaint is CRUCIAL:

1. Filed complaint online with all documentation (contract, payment receipts, photos, text messages)
2. CSLB investigator contacted me within 3 weeks
3. They tried to contact the contractor - no response
4. CSLB provided me with the bond company information

Filing the bond claim:

• Got the surety company name from CSLB
• Sent a formal bond claim with all my documentation
• Bond company investigated for about 6 weeks
• They paid out $22K (the remaining bond amount after other claims)

The bad news: if other neighbors are also filing claims, you're all competing for the same $25K bond. First come, first served in some cases. FILE YOUR COMPLAINT NOW.

I also filed a police report for theft/fraud but honestly nothing came of that. The civil route through CSLB was what actually got me money back.

I'm a licensed pool contractor (C-53) and unfortunately I see this way too often in our industry. Some honest perspective:

Why pool contractors fail/disappear:

• Cash flow problems - they use your deposit on other projects
• Underbidding jobs then realizing they can't complete at that price
• Material costs spiked badly in 2024-2025, some contractors are underwater
• Some are just outright scammers who never intended to finish

Red flags that were probably there (for others reading):

• Asking for more than 10% down or $1,000 (CA law limit)
• Not pulling permits before starting work
• Cash-only payments or checks to individuals not the company
• Prices significantly below competitors

Getting completion quotes:

You'll need to get other contractors to assess what's been done and quote completion. Fair warning - most reputable contractors charge for these assessments ($500-1500) because we've been burned giving free quotes on abandoned jobs. Also, completing someone else's work is risky so expect completion quotes to be HIGHER per-remaining-work than starting fresh.

In your case with excavation done, you might be looking at $40-50K to complete depending on what plumbing/electrical was started. Get at least 3 quotes.

@DesperateInRiverside - I'm so sorry. The pool industry in SoCal has been a disaster zone lately. I'm a real estate agent and I've seen at least 4 transactions complicated by abandoned pool projects in the last year alone.

Some additional resources:

• CSLB Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT): If this contractor is doing this to multiple homeowners, SWIFT may get involved. They actively prosecute construction fraud.
• Small claims court: For up to $12,500 you can sue in small claims (no lawyer needed). Above that you need regular civil court.
• Your homeowner's insurance: Probably won't cover this but worth a call. Some policies have limited contractor fraud coverage.

Also, regarding the safety hazard - you NEED to secure that hole. Temporary fencing at minimum. If a neighbor kid falls in that hole, you're liable. The excavation company may have also hit utilities that need to be addressed. Get someone out there to assess ASAP.

Following up with some important legal steps for properly terminating the contract and protecting your rights:

Formal Contract Termination:

Even though the contractor has abandoned the project, you should formally terminate the contract in writing. This protects you legally and is often required before you can hire another contractor without liability. Send a certified letter stating:

1. The contractor has materially breached the agreement by abandoning work
2. You are terminating the contract effective immediately
3. You demand return of funds paid for work not completed
4. You reserve all legal rights including bond claims and litigation

There's a comprehensive set of demand letters for various pool and spa contractor issues at Pool & Spa Contractor Dispute Letters that covers abandonment, incomplete work, and refund demands.

Document everything:

• Photograph the current state of the project with timestamps
• Get written assessments from other contractors
• Save all communications (texts, emails, voicemails)
• Keep receipts for any emergency repairs or safety measures

Regarding litigation:

With $45K at stake, you're beyond small claims territory. You could potentially join with your neighbors for a group lawsuit which reduces per-person legal costs. Many construction attorneys work on contingency for clear-cut abandonment cases.

Update for anyone following this nightmare:

Took everyone's advice. Here's where we're at:

• CSLB: Filed complaint immediately. Turns out the contractor's license was SUSPENDED 2 months ago for failure to maintain bond. We never got notified. CSLB investigator is now involved.
• Bond claim: Bad news - the bond lapsed before we could file a claim. So that recovery avenue is closed. This is apparently why the license was suspended.
• Police report: Filed for fraud. Detective said they've received 6 other reports on the same contractor. They're building a case.
• Completion quotes: Got 3 quotes to finish the pool. Ranging from $42K to $55K. We simply don't have that money on top of what we've lost.
• Neighbor coordination: Found 4 other families in the same situation. Total losses over $180K between all of us. We're meeting with a construction litigation attorney next week about a group lawsuit.

The hole is temporarily fenced now. We're basically accepting we probably won't have a pool for years, if ever. Just hoping the lawsuit eventually recovers something.

Lesson for everyone: check CSLB license status BEFORE every payment, not just at signing. If that bond had still been active, we'd have some recourse. Also - never pay more than 10% upfront no matter what the contractor says. We paid 20% initially and that was our first mistake.

Thank you all for the guidance. This community has been incredibly helpful during the worst home improvement experience of our lives.