Hiring a contractor is supposed to make your life easier, not leave you staring at an unfinished project for weeks wondering what happened.
You agreed on the work, paid your deposit, and expected the job to move along.
But now the deadline is getting closer, or maybe it has already passed, and the contractor still isn’t finished.
Sounds familiar?
In this post, we’ll explain how long a contractor has to finish a job, and what to do if the contractor is taking too long.
How Long A Contractor Has To Finish A Job?
A contractor has until the completion date stated in your written contract to finish the job.
But there are standard allowances for authorized change orders, severe weather, or permitting delays.
If the contract does not list a specific end date, the law requires them to finish within a “reasonable amount of time” based on the project’s scope, local industry norms, and standard trade practices.
If a contractor misses an agreed-upon deadline without a valid excuse, or walks off the job for an extended period with no communication, they are in breach of contract.
Then the project may be deemed legally abandoned, allowing you to terminate the agreement and pursue remedies.
We’ll explain all this in more detail next.
Also Read: Can Contractor Change Price After Contract Signed?
What If The Contract Does Not Give A Completion Date?
If your contract doesn’t give a specific completion date, you may still have legal rights.
In many situations, the contractor is expected to complete the work within a reasonable amount of time based on the circumstances.
“Reasonable” isn’t a magic number. A court or other decision-maker may look at:
- The type of project
- The work involved
- Industry practices
- Delays that occurred
- What both sides expected when they made the agreement
For example, taking several months to complete a complicated addition may not be unusual. Taking several months to replace a small section of flooring could be a very different story.
This is one reason written estimates and contracts are so useful.
The FTC specifically recommends that written contractor documents include an estimated start and completion date.
What Counts As An Unreasonable Delay?
An unreasonable delay happens when a contractor significantly postpones or prolongs a project due to avoidable, unjustified circumstances within their control, far exceeding the agreed contract timeline or standard industry norms.
Legally, this includes:
- Unexcused job abandonment
- Taking weeks away from the job site to work on other client projects
- Failing to schedule necessary labor or order materials on time
- Missing agreed-upon completion dates without valid documentation
Your contract may specifically list events that allow the contractor additional time too.
Look for terms involving delays, extensions, change orders, weather, materials, permits, or events outside the contractor’s control.
Also Read: Contractor Refuses To Provide Itemized Bill
Can A Contractor Take Longer Than The Agreed Deadline?
Sometimes, yes. The contract may allow extensions for certain situations.
For example, if you ask for additional work halfway through the project, the contractor may need extra time. A change order might increase both the price and the completion date.
The contractor may also have a valid reason for a delay specifically covered by the agreement.
A contractor who immediately tells you about a legitimate delay and explains how it affects the schedule is in a very different position from someone who simply disappears for weeks.
If the contractor misses the deadline and you believe the delay isn’t justified, start documenting what happened.
What Can You Do If Your Contractor Is Taking Too Long?
Before jumping straight into a lawsuit, give yourself a chance to solve the problem directly. A surprisingly large number of contractor disputes can be cleared up once everyone gets on the same page.
Here are some practical steps you can take:
- Review the contract and identify the promised completion date and delay provisions.
- Ask the contractor for a written explanation and a realistic new completion schedule.
- Keep copies of texts, emails, invoices, photographs, payment records, and other project documents.
- Send a written notice if the contractor continues missing deadlines.
- Check with your state or local consumer protection agency if the problem continues.
The FTC also recommends trying to resolve problems with the contractor first and keeping written records of your communications.
Also Read: Can I Get A Copy Of My Neighbor’s Property Survey?
Can You Cancel A Contract Because Of Delays?
Yes, but don’t assume you can cancel the contract because the contractor is a few days late.
Your contract may contain cancellation or termination provisions explaining when either side can end the agreement.
A serious or unjustified delay can sometimes amount to a breach of contract, but the specific facts matter.
You also need to be careful about stopping payments or hiring another contractor before understanding your rights. If you terminate the agreement improperly, the contractor could claim that you breached the contract instead.
There can also be special cancellation rights under state or federal law in certain situations.
Can You Get Your Money Back For An Unfinished Job?
Yes, you can legally get your money back for an unfinished job if the contractor breaches the contract by abandoning the project, missing agreed deadlines, or delivering incomplete and substandard work.
If you paid a deposit or milestone payment that exceeds the actual value of the completed labor and installed materials, the contractor is not entitled to keep the unearned funds.
To recover your money, you must:
- Formally demand a partial or full refund in writing
- File a claim against the contractor’s surety bond or state licensing board recovery fund
- Pursue the balance through small claims court or civil litigation
When Should You Talk To A Lawyer?
You don’t necessarily need a lawyer because a contractor is running a few days behind.
But legal advice can become much more valuable when the money involved is significant or the situation is getting complicated.
Consider speaking with a construction or contract lawyer if:
- The contractor has stopped working and refuses to communicate.
- You have paid a large amount of money for work that remains unfinished.
- The contractor threatens to sue you or place a lien on your property.
- You believe the contractor seriously breached the agreement.
- You’re considering terminating the contract and hiring someone else.
- The project has major defects in addition to being delayed.
A lawyer can review the contract and explain your options before you take a step that could make the dispute harder to resolve.
Bottom Line
A contractor must finish a job by the exact completion date or timeframe specified in the signed contract.
If the contract does not state a specific deadline, legally the contractor is required to complete the work within a “reasonable time frame.”
If your contractor is taking too long, review the agreement, document everything, communicate in writing, and give the contractor a clear opportunity to explain and fix the delay.
If the situation involves a lot of money or a serious contract dispute, getting legal advice before taking major action can save you a lot of headaches later.