Contractor Disputes: Deposits, Deficiencies & Abandoned Work
Renovation and construction disputes are the single largest category of small claims litigation in Canada. A contractor who took a deposit and vanished, delivered defective work, or abandoned a half-finished project can be sued — and with the right investigation, judgments against contractors can be collected even when they hide behind numbered companies.
Deposit taken, contractor gone
Move fast. A contractor who takes deposits without performing may be doing it to multiple homeowners at once — and the first creditors to judgment are the first to collect. We send a demand immediately, sue without delay, and investigate the contractor's other projects, vehicles, equipment, and property so the judgment has teeth.
Defective or incomplete work
The measure of damages is usually the cost to correct or complete the work. That means evidence: photographs, an independent quote or professional opinion on the deficiencies, the original contract and payments. Homeowners who document properly win these cases; those who rely on frustration alone do not.
The numbered-company problem
Many contractors operate through corporations with no assets. That is not always the end: personal guarantees, misrepresentation claims, breach-of-trust provisions in construction legislation, and transfers to successor companies can open enforcement paths. This is investigative work — our specialty.
How We Help With This
Common Questions
The contractor is threatening to lien my home. Can I still sue?
Yes. A lien claim and your deficiency claim are frequently resolved together, and an inflated or expired lien can itself be challenged. Do not let a lien threat stop you from pursuing money you are genuinely owed.
How much can I recover for bad renovation work?
Up to $50,000 in Ontario Small Claims Court, and up to $35,000 in BC Provincial Court ($5,000 in the CRT). The claim typically covers the cost to fix or finish the work, amounts paid for value not received, and sometimes consequential losses.
I only have a verbal agreement with my contractor. Do I have a case?
Verbal contracts are enforceable. Your texts, e-transfers, invoices, and the pattern of conduct prove the deal. We reconstruct the agreement from the record — a task that rewards investigative discipline.
Where We Handle These Disputes
Representation across Ontario and British Columbia — virtually and in person.
All service areasOther Dispute Guides
More common small claims scenarios, explained.