When a Contractor Takes Your Money

• Down payment: generally the lesser of $1,000 or 10% of the contract.
• A contractor can't take more than the value of the work done or materials delivered, apart from the down payment.
• A written contract is required for home improvement over $500.
• A license is required for jobs of $1,000 or more, and for smaller jobs that need a permit or use employees.
• You may be able to sue an unlicensed contractor to recover all you paid.
• You can generally cancel within three business days, or five if you're 65 or older, on many home solicitation contracts.

• Down payment: on many homes, the lesser of $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, unless the contractor has a qualifying bond. A contract that breaks this can be voided by the owner.
• Pool, spa and solar work have similar rules.
• A bid or contract by an unlicensed contractor is void, and they can't sue for payment.
• Sales from door-to-door solicitation can generally be canceled within three business days.

The Contractors State License Board takes complaints on licensed and unlicensed contractors, for acts up to four years old, and recommends a demand letter first. Its main purpose is public protection, so it doesn't guarantee a refund.

The Nevada State Contractors Board takes complaints within four years. Its Residential Recovery Fund can pay up to $40,000 per claim to owner-occupants of single-family homes who dealt with a licensed residential contractor. It doesn't cover people who hired an unlicensed one.