How to Write an Effective Demand Letter to a Contractor

What Your Demand Letter Must Include

1. Your identification: Full name, property address, phone number, email
2. Contractor identification: Full name, business name, CSLB license number, address
3. Contract reference: Date of contract, brief description of the project
4. Specific description of the problem: Each defect, incomplete item, or breach — be specific. "The tile in the master bathroom is cracking at 14 locations" is good. "The tile work is bad" is not.
5. Your specific demand: Repair the work, complete the project, return $X, or a combination
6. A deadline: 10 to 14 calendar days — give a specific date
7. Consequences of non-compliance: CSLB complaint, bond claim, and civil lawsuit
8. Your signature and date

How to Send the Demand Letter

Send by certified mail with return receipt requested to the contractor's CSLB address. Also send by email with read receipt. Keep copies of everything — the letter, the certified mail receipt, the email confirmation.

After You Send the Letter

If the contractor proposes a remedy, evaluate it carefully before accepting. If the remedy is inadequate, negotiate. If the contractor ignores the letter, proceed to file a CSLB complaint, bond claim, and consult an attorney about litigation. A non-response to a formal demand letter is powerful evidence in court.

When to Have an Attorney Write the Demand Letter

An attorney-written demand letter carries substantially more weight. It signals that you have retained legal counsel and are prepared for litigation. Bay Legal PC drafts contractor demand letters for disputes throughout California. Free initial consultations available.