What is the statute of limitations for construction defects in California?

CCP §337.15 imposes a 10-year statute of repose for latent construction defects, running from the date of substantial completion. Within that window, the 3-year discovery period of CCP §338 or the 4-year written contract period of CCP §337 may apply, depending on the nature of the claim. Patent defects (visible and obvious) have a shorter period.

Is there a different deadline if my contractor worked for a government entity?

Yes. If the property owner is a public entity, or if your claim is against a government contractor for work on public property, different claims presentation requirements and shorter deadlines apply under the Government Claims Act (Government Code §900 et seq.). Consult an attorney immediately if a public entity is involved.

California Contractor Lawsuit Deadline Calculator

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Your Dates and Contract Type

Contract Type

Written contract or home improvement agreement Signed written contract, even if informal — 4-year period applies (CCP §337)

Oral / verbal agreement only No signed written agreement — 2-year period applies (CCP §339)

Key Dates

Date work was substantially completed (or last day contractor worked) Please enter a date.

Date you first knew something was wrong (optional — for discovery rule)

Special Circumstances (check all that apply)

Latent construction defect A hidden defect not visible at completion (e.g., foundation crack, hidden water damage). CCP §337.15 provides up to 10 years from completion.

Contractor concealed the problem or committed fraud Deliberate concealment can toll the statute of limitations under the delayed discovery rule.

A minor (under 18) was affected or owns the property Tolling may apply for minors — the limitations period may not begin until the minor turns 18.

The other party is a government entity or public agency Government Claims Act applies — 6-month claim presentation deadline, different rules entirely.

Please select a contract type.

Your Estimated Filing Deadline

Calculation Breakdown

⚠ Verify this deadline with an attorney before acting. This estimate is based on the dates you entered and the primary statute of limitations. Discovery rules, tolling doctrines, and case-specific facts can change the actual deadline. Do not file or decline to file based solely on this calculation.

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The California Statutes Behind This Calculator

This calculator applies the following primary limitation periods for California contractor disputes:

CCP §337 — Written contracts (4 years). Applies when the agreement was in writing and signed. The clock generally starts on the date of breach or the date the work was substantially completed.

CCP §339 — Oral contracts (2 years). Applies when the agreement was verbal only. The shorter period reflects the evidentiary challenges of oral agreements.

CCP §337.15 — Latent construction defects (10-year repose). This is a maximum outer limit — any construction defect claim must be brought within 10 years of substantial completion, regardless of when the defect was discovered.

CCP §338 — Discovery rule (3 years from discovery). For fraud or concealed defects, the clock may start from when you discovered — or through reasonable diligence should have discovered — the problem, rather than when the work was completed.

Full guide to California contractor lawsuit deadlines → · How to sue a contractor in California →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to sue a contractor in California? +

For a written contract, generally 4 years from the date of breach or substantial completion (CCP §337). For an oral contract, generally 2 years (CCP §339). For latent construction defects not visible at completion, the discovery rule may extend the period from when you discovered the problem — but not beyond 10 years from substantial completion (CCP §337.15).

Does the discovery rule apply to contractor lawsuits in California? +

Yes. For latent defects — problems not reasonably discoverable at completion — the statute of limitations may start when you discovered the problem rather than when work ended. However, the 10-year statute of repose under CCP §337.15 sets an outer limit. Consult an attorney to determine whether the discovery rule applies to your specific facts.

What is the deadline if my contractor is unlicensed? +

For a BPC §7031 recovery claim against an unlicensed contractor, the standard limitations periods apply (4 years for written, 2 years for oral). However, courts have interpreted the accrual date differently in some cases. An attorney should review BPC §7031 claims, especially where significant time has passed.

Is there a separate deadline for a CSLB complaint? +

CSLB complaints are not subject to the civil statute of limitations — however, the CSLB has its own investigation standards and may give less weight to old complaints. Filing promptly is always advisable. A CSLB complaint and a civil lawsuit are separate processes and can proceed simultaneously.

Can I still sue if the statute of limitations has expired? +

Generally, no — an expired limitations period is a complete defense. However, exceptions exist: fraudulent concealment by the contractor, absence from the state, mental incapacity, and other equitable tolling doctrines may extend the period. If you believe the contractor actively concealed the problem, consult an attorney immediately — do not assume your claim is time-barred without a professional review.