What to Do When a Roofer Does a Bad Job
How to file a complaint against a contractor in California after a bad roofing job: document it, write the roofer, file with CSLB, claim the bond, or sue.
The new roof is on, the crew is gone, and the first real rain brings a stain on the ceiling. Or the shingles are crooked, the flashing is missing, and the roofer stopped returning your calls. When a contractor did a bad job, it is easy to feel stuck.
You have more options than most homeowners realize. This guide covers how to file a complaint against a contractor in California, step by step: what to document, how to put the roofer on notice in writing, what a CSLB complaint can and can't do, how a bond claim works, and when small claims court makes sense.
What should I do first if my contractor did a bad job?
Before any complaint, build a record. It is the single thing that helps most later.
- Take photos and video of the problem, inside and out, with dates. Shoot leaks while they are happening.
- Gather the paperwork: the contract, change orders, invoices, receipts, permit records, and every text and email.
- Write a timeline of what was promised, what was done and when you raised the problem.
- Get a second opinion in writing from another licensed roofing contractor. A short inspection report from a neutral roofer carries weight.
- Protect the house. If water is coming in, a tarp is reasonable. Document it, and keep any repair small until the dispute is settled.
Roof leaking after replacement: give the roofer a chance in writing
A roof leaking after replacement is often a fixable workmanship issue, and many roofers will come back. Call first, then follow up in writing so there is a record.
Your letter should list the problems, point to the contract or warranty, ask for a repair by a reasonable date, and say you will file with CSLB if it is not fixed. Send it by a method that proves delivery and keep a copy. CSLB will ask whether you formally notified the contractor, and it offers a sample letter in English and Spanish.
Source: CSLB, Filing a Construction Complaint
"Here are the photos of the leak. When can you inspect it, and will the repair be covered under your workmanship warranty?"
Hold on to any money still owed under the contract until the work is right, but don't refuse payment for work that was done properly. If subcontractors or suppliers are involved, read our guide to mechanics lien releases in California before you make the final payment.
How to file a complaint against a contractor in California
The Contractors State License Board handles complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors. A CSLB complaint is free and can be filed online or on a paper form.
- Time limit: CSLB addresses license law violations for up to four years from the date of the act. For latent structural defects, the window can run up to ten years.
- What to include: the contract, payments, your letter to the roofer, photos and the second opinion.
- What happens next: CSLB staff review it and may try to settle the dispute, refer it to arbitration, or send it to an investigator.
Source: CSLB, Filing a Construction Complaint; Business and Professions Code §7091
What a CSLB complaint can and can't get you
Be clear about the goal. CSLB's main job is protecting the public. It can discipline a license, order corrections, issue citations and fines, and suspend a contractor who ignores a court judgment. CSLB says plainly that an investigation does not guarantee you get money back.
Many disputes qualify for CSLB arbitration. Mandatory arbitration covers qualifying cases of $25,000 or less, and voluntary arbitration covers $25,000 to $50,000 if both sides agree. The decision is binding, and a contractor who ignores an award risks the license.
Source: CSLB, Complaint Process Against Licensed Contractors; CSLB Mandatory Arbitration Program Guide
California does not have a homeowner recovery fund that pays you when a contractor won't. CSLB confirmed in 2024 that it has no residential recovery fund. Your money paths are the contractor, the bond and the courts.
Source: CSLB Legislative Committee meeting packet, September 2024
How does a contractor bond claim work?
Every active California contractor license carries a $25,000 license bond, written by a surety company. Homeowners damaged by a license law violation can make a bond claim.
- Find the surety. The bond company and bond number are on the contractor's CSLB license record.
- File with the surety, not CSLB. CSLB does not process bond claims. Send the surety a written description of the problem, the contract and your supporting documents.
- Know the limit. The $25,000 is not per job. It is shared by every claim against that contractor, so earlier claims can use it up.
- File both. The surety investigates the bond claim and CSLB investigates the license. They run separately, and you can do both.
Source: CSLB, Fast Facts: Contractor License Bond; CSLB, Bond Requirements
An unlicensed contractor has no bond to claim, which is one more reason to check the license first. See our unlicensed contractor red flags.
When should I take a contractor to small claims court?
Small claims court contractor cases are common and fairly quick. In California an individual can sue for up to $12,500. You don't need a lawyer, and in fact lawyers can't represent either side at the hearing.
- Bring the same record you built for CSLB: contract, photos, letters and the second opinion.
- If you win, you still have to collect. A licensed contractor who doesn't pay a final judgment related to construction can have the license suspended.
- If you started the case and lose, you can't appeal.
- For bigger losses, talk to a construction attorney about superior court.
Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide, Small Claims; CSLB, Filing a Construction Complaint
Bad roofing job vs. warranty claim: which one is it?
Not every problem is a dispute. Check your paperwork first.
| Problem | Who to call first |
|---|---|
| Leak or loose flashing in the first years | The roofer, under the workmanship warranty |
| Shingles cracking or failing early | The manufacturer, under the material warranty, often through the roofer |
| Roofer won't respond or won't fix it | CSLB complaint and bond claim |
| Clear money loss you can prove | Small claims or an attorney |
A manufacturer warranty may require that a certified installer did the work.
How to avoid a bad roofing job next time
Most of these stories start before you sign. Get at least three written bids, compare them line by line with our guide to comparing roofing bids, and keep the deposit within the legal limit explained in how much a roofer can ask for a deposit.
Check that the roofer is licensed and insured, and look at the complaint and business history on the record (our guide shows where). A ConFacts report reads the CSLB license, workers' comp, the bond and the history behind the company for you, with a source for each. ConFacts takes no money from contractors, so we show you the record and you make the decision.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a CSLB complaint?
Generally four years from the act. Latent structural defects can allow up to ten years.
Will CSLB get my money back?
Not directly. CSLB can push for a fix, refer you to arbitration or discipline the license, but it says it can't guarantee restitution.
Can I file a complaint and a bond claim at the same time?
Yes. The surety handles the bond claim and CSLB handles the license complaint.
Does California have a contractor recovery fund?
No. CSLB has no residential recovery fund. Use the bond, arbitration or the courts.
What if my roofer was unlicensed?
You can still file a CSLB complaint. There is no bond, so recovering money usually means small claims or an attorney.