If your ADU contractor stopped showing up, you’re not alone. Contractor abandonment is common in San Diego County - including in Chula Vista - and the options are often worse than homeowners expect. This guide walks you through immediate steps and why a professional assessment should come before hiring another contractor.

Validate the situation

Abandonment is a real, documented problem. Under California Business and Professions Code 7107, abandonment of a project for which the contractor has been paid is a cause for disciplinary action. What you’re dealing with has a name, and there are procedures designed to address it.

What “abandonment” means

Legally, abandonment typically means the contractor has stopped work without justification and failed to return to complete the project after being paid. Documenting timelines, payments, and communications is critical for any complaint or claim.

Immediate steps

  • Secure the site. Protect unfinished work from weather and damage. Cover openings, secure materials, and prevent trespass or liability issues.
  • Document everything. Photos, texts, emails, payment records, and a simple timeline of when work stopped. This supports a CSLB complaint and any future assessment.
  • Stop payments. Do not make additional payments until you have a clear path forward. If you have an escrow or draw schedule, pause it until you have professional guidance.

CSLB complaint process

Filing a complaint with the California Contractors State License Board is usually worth doing - but set realistic expectations. The process often takes 6–12 months. The CSLB can investigate, cite, and suspend or revoke a license; it cannot order the contractor to pay you directly. Contractor bonds are capped at $25,000 and are shared among all claimants.

Why you need an assessment before hiring another contractor

Hiring the next contractor without a clear picture of what was built - and what was built wrong - is how homeowners repeat the same mistake. A professional construction failure assessment documents deficiencies, code issues, and realistic cost to correct and complete. That report protects you and gives any new contractor a clear scope. In Chula Vista and across San Diego County, BuildCheck provides that assessment so you can decide your next move from facts, not guesswork.