A half-finished job is stressful, especially if you have already paid. Move step by step: first try to get them back, then protect yourself, then bring in someone to finish.
Send a dated text and email: list what is unfinished, ask for a firm return date, and set a reasonable deadline. Keep copies.
If they don't respond, send a letter (certified mail if you can) saying the work is incomplete and that you will hire someone else to finish if they don't return by a set date. Check whether your contract requires a specific notice process.
File with your state attorney general's consumer protection office and, for licensed trades, the state licensing board. If you paid a large deposit and no work was done, that may be worth reporting to local police as well.
Get a written assessment from a new contractor of what is done, what is left, and what (if anything) needs redoing. That document also supports any claim you make.
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There is no single rule. Check your contract, then give a clear written deadline. A week or two is common for a stalled job; less if your home is exposed to weather.
If little or no work was done, you may be able to recover it through negotiation, a card dispute, a bond claim or small claims court. This is general information, not legal advice.
Many will, but expect them to inspect first and price the fix as well as the finish. Get it in writing.
General information for homeowners, updated October 2026. Not legal advice; rules vary by state.