If you’ve ever hired a contractor, you probably know the feeling. A solid first impression. A reasonable budget. Great enthusiasm. You think, “This might actually work.” And then the excuses start, communication slows and doubt creeps in.
While some delays are completely normal in construction, ghosting rarely comes out of nowhere. If communication starts to break down, it’s important to understand your options quickly — especially if you’ve already paid a deposit.
In this case, “ghosting” is a form of contractor fraud. It is on the rise in Maine due to a perfect storm of labor shortages, fluctuating material costs and poor communication around initial budgets and timelines.
According to the Maine Attorney General’s Office, reports of contractor-related complaints have continued to increase since 2023, with hundreds of cases filed annually involving contractors who provided an estimate, accepted payment and then disappeared. While choosing a contractor is both expensive and personal, there are practical ways to protect yourself, identify problems before they escalate and pursue refunds if necessary.
Do your homework
While no one likes homework, that’s exactly what homeowners need to do before signing a contract. General contractors in Maine do not need a state-level license to operate, but a written contract is required by law for home construction or repair projects exceeding $3,000.
Verify licenses, review social media presence, confirm a physical business address and call at least three past customers. If this discovery phase leaves you uneasy, don’t move forward.
Once a contractor passes your due diligence, get everything in writing. This is the most important step in holding everyone accountable. Your contract should clearly establish the budget, payment schedule, timelines and deadlines — and include protections for the homeowner. It is perfectly reasonable to add penalty language for missed deadlines or allow the homeowner to terminate the agreement if delays become excessive. Include a lien waiver to ensure you cannot be held responsible if subcontractors are not paid.
A reputable professional who intends to honor their commitments won’t object to a strong contract. Instead, they will welcome it to serve as a roadmap to ensure expectations are met from concept to completion, for both parties.
Act quickly
If communication slows or stops, act quickly, deliberately and in writing.
Take photos of unfinished work and maintain thorough records, including receipts, payments, texts and emails.
Establish a clear timeline of events as this documentation will become critical if mediation or legal action is required.
If communication stops entirely, send a formal notice by mail that requires a signature.
File complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
A lesser-known resource offered by the attorney general is consumer mediation, which can serve as a neutral third party to help resolve disputes and potentially avoid filing a small claims case.
Final caveats
Getting ghosted is frustrating and can feel personal, but it’s often a sign of deeper business issues or a lack of professionalism on the part of the contractor.
Those problems rarely improve once a project is underway. In many cases, recognizing the warning signs early doesn’t mean you’ve lost — it means you likely avoided something worse.
