My Contractor Disappeared In the Middle of the Job — What Do I Do?
The work started normally, then the contractor's visits grew sparser, replies to messages slowed down, and now there's been nothing for several weeks. The job site sits half-finished and a substantial part of the payment has already been made.
The first checks to make
Before concluding this is a definitive abandonment, check whether the contractor communicated a legitimate reason (illness, family emergency) through another channel, and try reaching them through several different means (phone, email, text, in person at the business address if available). Document every contact attempt with a date, since this information will matter for the next steps.
Checking the contractor's RBQ license
| Step | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Confirm the contractor holds an active RBQ license | An active license makes available recourse easier |
| Check the license status on the RBQ website | A suspended or revoked license changes the legal situation |
| Check for existing complaints against this contractor | Helps assess whether the abandonment is a repeated pattern |
Available recourse depending on the situation
An RBQ-licensed contractor who abandons a job site can be the subject of a complaint to the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, which has the power to investigate and sanction. To recover a financial loss, a formal demand letter (mise en demeure), drafted by a lawyer or using an appropriate template, is often the next step before considering a small claims court case if the amount qualifies.
Documenting the site's condition before any other step
Photograph the current state of the unfinished work, gather every contract, invoice, and proof of payment, and note the full timeline of events from the start of the work to the contractor's disappearance. This documentation is essential regardless of the recourse chosen afterward.
Finding a new contractor to finish the job
A new contractor taking over a job started by someone else generally requires a prior inspection to assess the quality of the work already done before committing to finish it — some flatly refuse to take over a site whose already-laid groundwork they can't vouch for.
How to avoid this situation in the future
Structuring future payments around completed and verified work milestones rather than a large upfront amount, and always confirming an active RBQ license before signing a contract, considerably reduce the risk of ending up in this situation with a future project.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a contractor's RBQ license?+
The license holder registry is directly accessible on the Régie du bâtiment du Québec website, where the exact status can be confirmed for free.
Can I file a complaint even if the contractor doesn't have an RBQ license?+
Recourse is more limited without a license, but a formal demand letter and a small claims case remain possible to recover a financial loss.
How long should I wait before concluding it's an abandonment?+
There's no strict rule, but several weeks with no communication despite repeated contact attempts generally justifies moving to formal recourse.
Does home insurance cover an abandoned job site?+
Rarely for the financial loss tied to the contractor itself, but check your policy for potential damage caused by a job site left unfinished and exposed.
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More to know before your project.
By Catherine Lavoie — RBQ-licensed general contractor, residential renovation specialist
Updated on July 22, 2026