Contractor took money or did bad work in Tennessee: what to do

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Your plan for Tennessee

Do now

If you answered “Yes” to “Is anything unsafe right now, such as exposed wiring, a gas smell, a leak, or a damaged structure?”
Make your home safe. If you smell gas or see a fire risk, leave and call 911 or the gas company. For live wires or leaks, shut off the power or water if you can do it safely, and call a licensed professional.
Why: Safety comes before any money dispute.
Take dated photos and videos of the work, materials left behind and any damage, before anyone fixes it.
Why: Once the work is redone, the evidence of what went wrong is gone.
Collect the contract or estimate, change orders, receipts, canceled checks or card statements, permits, and all texts and emails with the contractor.
Why: These show what was promised, what you paid and when.
If you answered “Yes” to “Did you sign the contract at your home (not at the contractor's business) within the last 3 business days?”
If you signed the contract at your home and it's still within 3 business days, cancel in writing now and keep proof of the date you sent it.
Why: The FTC Cooling-Off Rule lets you cancel most sales of $25 or more made at your home until midnight of the third business day after the sale. It does not cover repairs you asked the contractor to come and do in a real emergency if you signed a statement giving up the right.
Don't make any more payments until the problem is resolved, and don't pay cash up front to 'finish the job'.
Why: Money you haven't paid yet is your strongest leverage.

This week

Check the contractor's license with your state's contractor licensing board (your state attorney general or consumer office can tell you which agency licenses contractors). Ask whether your state has a homeowner recovery fund.
Why: A licensed contractor can be disciplined by the board, and some states have funds that repay homeowners harmed by licensed contractors. Rules differ by state.
Send a written demand (template below) that lists each problem and asks the contractor to fix it or refund you by a set date.
Why: It gives the contractor a fair chance to fix things and creates a record for a complaint or court.
Get one or two written estimates from other licensed contractors for finishing or fixing the work.
Why: Estimates show the court how much money you lost.
If you answered “Credit card” to “How did you pay?”
Dispute the charge with your card issuer in writing, at the billing-error address on your statement. Work that wasn't delivered as agreed can be a billing error. For poor quality, you may also be able to use your 'claims and defenses' rights if the charge was over $50, was made in your state or within 100 miles of your home, and you first tried in good faith to settle it with the contractor. Those rights cover only the part of the charge you still owe on the card.
Why: Federal law gives credit card users dispute rights, but the written notice must arrive within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
If you answered “A loan the contractor arranged” to “How did you pay?”
Read your loan papers for a notice that begins 'ANY HOLDER OF THIS CONSUMER CREDIT CONTRACT IS SUBJECT TO ALL CLAIMS AND DEFENSES'. Tell the lender in writing about the problem.
Why: Under the FTC Holder Rule, seller-arranged consumer loans must include this notice, which can let you raise your claims against the lender too, up to what you paid on the loan.
Ask your city or county building department whether permits were pulled, and whether an inspector can look at the work.
Why: An inspection report is strong, neutral evidence of code violations.

If it's not resolved

File complaints with the contractor licensing board and your state attorney general or consumer protection office.
Why: Boards can order fixes or discipline, and AG offices often mediate.
If the dispute isn't resolved, you can file in small claims court for your losses if they fit your state's limit.
Why: Small claims is built for people without lawyers; your state page shows the limit and fees.
Watch your mail for a lien notice. If a subcontractor or supplier says they weren't paid, they may be able to put a lien on your home. Lien rules and deadlines differ by state.
Why: A lien can block a sale or refinance, and the deadlines to respond can be short.

Deadlines

Cancel a home-solicited sale under the FTC Cooling-Off Rule

General rule: Until midnight of the third business day after the sale, for sales of $25 or more made at your home (or $130 or more at a temporary location). Emergency repairs you requested and waived in writing are not covered. Your state may give longer rights. (16 CFR 429)

Official source

Dispute a credit card charge in writing with the card issuer

General rule: Your written dispute must reach the card issuer within 60 days after it sent the first statement that shows the charge (Fair Credit Billing Act, 15 U.S.C. 1666; Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.13).

Official source

Deadline to sue over a written agreement (statute of limitations)

General rule: see state

In Tennessee:

6 years

checked Oct 2026 · From Small Claims Map: Tennessee

Deadline to sue for damage to your property

General rule: see state

In Tennessee:

3 years

checked Oct 2026 · From Small Claims Map: Tennessee

Key facts for Tennessee

Small Claims Map

Most you can sue for: $25,000
Court: General Sessions Court
Filing fee: $146–$269
Lawyers: Optional

Small Claims Map: Tennessee

Documents to gather

Contract, estimate and any change orders
Receipts, canceled checks, card statements or loan papers
Dated photos and videos of the work and damage
Texts and emails with the contractor
The contractor's license number and business name
Permits and any inspection reports
Written repair estimates from other contractors
Copies of your demand letter and complaints, with proof you sent them

Letters you can send

Fill in the blanks; the letter updates as you type. Copy it, print it or save it as a text file. Nothing you type is sent or saved: it stays on this page until you close it.

Demand to fix the work or refund

Lists the problems and gives the contractor a set date to fix them or refund you; creates a record for the licensing board, your card issuer or a court.

[Today's date]

[Contractor name]
[Contractor address]
License no. [License number]

Re: [Job description] at [Your address], contract dated [Contract date]

Dear [Contractor name],

Under our contract dated [Contract date], I paid you $[Amount paid]. The work has not been completed as agreed. The problems are:
[Problems list]

Photos are enclosed. Please either (1) complete and correct the work by [Fix by date], or (2) refund $[Refund amount] by that date.

If I don't hear from you in writing by [Fix by date], I plan to file a complaint with the state licensing board and to file a claim in small claims court.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your phone or email]

Where to go

StateYour state's contractor licensing board
To check a license and file a complaint. Your state attorney general or consumer office can point you to the right agency.
StateYour state attorney general or consumer protection office
To file a consumer complaint against a business; many offices offer free mediation. The federal directory lists every state's office.
LocalSmall claims court for the county where you would file
If a written demand does not work and the amount fits your state's small claims limit. Your state page lists the court, limit, fee and official forms.
Small Claims Map: Tennessee
FederalYour credit card issuer (billing-error address on your statement)
If you paid by credit card, within 60 days after the first statement that shows the charge.
FederalConsumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint
If your bank, card issuer or a debt collector does not handle your problem properly. The CFPB forwards your complaint to the company, which must respond.
FederalFederal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
To report a business that cheated you or a scam. The FTC does not resolve individual complaints, but reports help build cases.

Costs

Licensing board and attorney general complaints are free. Small claims filing fees depend on your state; serving the papers usually costs extra, and a judge can usually add those costs to a judgment if you win. Repair estimates from other contractors are often free. Your state page names the form to ask for a fee waiver if you can't afford the fee.

Talk to a lawyer if

A lien has been filed on your home
Your losses are well above your state's small claims limit
There is structural damage, injury or a safety issue
The contractor has filed for bankruptcy
Your homeowners insurance is involved, or the contract requires arbitration

Free help

LawHelp.org (lawhelp.org) lists free legal aid programs and plain-language self-help pages for every state. The Legal Services Corporation's finder (lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help) shows the federally funded legal aid office for your address; these offices help people with low incomes for free. Most state court websites also run a free self-help center for small claims, and your state page on smallclaimsmap.com links to the official forms.

Guides for your state

Guides for every state

Related situations

Questions

What is the cancel a home-solicited sale under the FTC Cooling-Off Rule?

Until midnight of the third business day after the sale, for sales of $25 or more made at your home (or $130 or more at a temporary location). Emergency repairs you requested and waived in writing are not covered. Your state may give longer rights. (16 CFR 429)

What is the dispute a credit card charge in writing with the card issuer?

Your written dispute must reach the card issuer within 60 days after it sent the first statement that shows the charge (Fair Credit Billing Act, 15 U.S.C. 1666; Regulation Z, 12 CFR 1026.13).

What is the deadline to sue over a written agreement (statute of limitations) in Tennessee?

6 years

What is the deadline to sue for damage to your property in Tennessee?

3 years

When should I talk to a lawyer?

A lien has been filed on your home; Your losses are well above your state's small claims limit; There is structural damage, injury or a safety issue; The contractor has filed for bankruptcy; Your homeowners insurance is involved, or the contract requires arbitration.

How much does it cost?

Licensing board and attorney general complaints are free. Small claims filing fees depend on your state; serving the papers usually costs extra, and a judge can usually add those costs to a judgment if you win. Repair estimates from other contractors are often free. Your state page names the form to ask for a fee waiver if you can't afford the fee.

Plans by state

Open the plan with one state's rules filled in:

Sources

Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-24. Some details could not be fully verified; see the notes in each section.

This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.