What to Do If You're Unhappy With a Contractor's Work in North Dakota
A calm, step-by-step path — from the first conversation to the state — for when a job in Bismarck-Mandan doesn't go the way it should have.
Put the problem in writing with a clear deadline to fix it, and document everything with dated photos. If that fails, escalate in order: the materials manufacturer, your city's building inspector, the North Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, the Secretary of State, then small claims court.
Fast facts
- Step one
- Put it in writing
- Don't do
- Pay the final invoice
- State complaint
- ND Attorney General
- Bismarck inspections
- (701) 355-1465
Start in writing, not in anger
Most contractor disputes are fixable. Most get worse when the first move is a furious phone call.
Put the problem in writing. Email or text is fine. Say specifically what's wrong, what the contract or estimate promised, and what you want done about it.
Writing matters for two reasons. It gives a reasonable contractor something concrete to fix. And it starts a record if this ends up somewhere else.
Build your record now
- Photograph everything, with dates. Wide shots and close-ups.
- Keep the written estimate, the contract, every change order, and all receipts.
- Save texts and emails. Keep the friendly ones too — they establish the timeline.
- Write down phone call dates and what was said, right after they happen.
- Don't pay the final invoice for work that isn't right. Once you've paid in full, your leverage is mostly gone.
Escalate in order
- Give a written chance to fix itWith a specific, reasonable deadline. Most disputes end here.
- Contact the materials manufacturerIf the materials carry a warranty, a failing product is sometimes their problem rather than the installer's.
- Call your city's building inspectorIf the work was permitted, failed or missing inspections are leverage. Bismarck's Building Inspection Division is at (701) 355-1465.
- File with the ND Attorney GeneralThe Consumer Protection Division handles consumer complaints against businesses in the state.
- Complain to the Secretary of StateIf the contractor is licensed, this puts the issue on record against the license itself.
- Small claims courtFor amounts within the limit, it's built to be used without a lawyer.
Where each route actually helps
| Your problem | Best route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Product failing early | Manufacturer warranty | May not be the installer's fault |
| Work doesn't meet code | City building inspector | Inspection failure is objective leverage |
| Took a deposit, never returned | Attorney General + small claims | Consumer protection issue |
| Sloppy but code-compliant work | Written demand, then small claims | Inspectors check code, not craftsmanship |
| Licensed contractor, serious issue | Secretary of State complaint | Puts it against the license |
| Unlicensed contractor | Attorney General + small claims | Fewer routes available |
The uncomfortable part
If the contractor was unlicensed, uninsured, or paid in cash with no written contract, every step above gets harder. There may be no license to complain against and no insurer to claim from.
That's the real reason to spend two minutes checking a license before you pay a deposit. It isn't paperwork for its own sake. It's the difference between having somewhere to go and having nowhere to go.
Frequently asked
What can I do if a contractor did bad work in North Dakota?
Start with a written description of the problem and a deadline to fix it, and document everything with dated photos. If that doesn't work, escalate in order: the materials manufacturer for warranty issues, your city's building inspection office if the work was permitted, the North Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, the Secretary of State if the contractor is licensed, and small claims court for amounts within the limit.
Should I withhold final payment from a contractor?
Don't pay in full for work that isn't right. Once the final invoice is paid, most of your leverage is gone. Put the specific problem in writing, point to what the contract promised, and give a clear deadline to fix it.
Who do I report a contractor to in North Dakota?
The North Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division handles consumer complaints against businesses. If the contractor holds a state license, you can also complain to the Secretary of State's contractor licensing program, which puts the issue on record against the license.
What if the contractor wasn't licensed?
Your options get thin. There may be no license to complain against and no insurer to claim from, which leaves small claims court and the Attorney General's office. That's why checking a license at the Secretary of State's FirstStop portal before you pay a deposit is worth the two minutes.
Does the building inspector help with poor workmanship?
Only up to a point. Inspectors check whether work meets code, not whether it's tidy or attractive. Work can pass inspection and still be sloppy. For code violations the inspector is real leverage; for craftsmanship complaints, a written demand and small claims court are the more useful routes.