Homeowner Disputes
When a residential client will not pay, demands a refund, or disputes the work - and how to protect yourself.
4 guides in this section
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Guides in this section
Can a customer cancel the contract after signing? The 3-day rule
Often, yes. Under the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule, a customer who signs a contract worth $25 or more at their own home, or anywhere that is not your normal place...
Chargebacks and review extortion: defending yourself
Two things a difficult customer can do to hurt you without ever going to court: reverse the payment on their card, and threaten a bad review unless you cave....
A customer complained to the licensing board. Now what?
If a customer files a complaint against your license with the state contractor board, do not ignore it, and do not panic. Respond promptly, in writing, with...
Taking a non-paying homeowner to small claims court
Small claims court is the fast, cheap, lawyer-optional way to sue a homeowner who will not pay, as long as what they owe is inside your state's small-claims...