Guide · USA homeowners
Contractor took deposit and disappeared — how to organize your facts
You paid a deposit. Then the contractor stopped showing up — or never started. The next useful move is usually not another angry text. It’s getting your facts into one calm, organized place.
Document preparation only — not legal advice or a law firm. Full disclaimer
This guide is document preparation and education only. The Deposit Plan is not a law firm, does not give legal advice, and does not guarantee a refund or any outcome. We serve United States properties only. Deliverables are digital (downloadable PDF / portal)— not a physical binder.
What “organized” looks like
When someone finally helps you think — a friend, a consumer office, or an attorney you hire separately — they usually ask for the same core packet: timeline, proof of payment, communications, and a clear ask. Building that yourself reduces chaos.
01
Write the timeline while it’s fresh
Dates of the deposit, promised start, last work day, and every call or text that went unanswered. A simple chronology beats a pile of screenshots.
02
Gather proof of payment and the agreement
Receipts, bank or card statements, contracts, estimates, invoices, and photos of unfinished or untouched work. Label each file with a date.
03
Log every attempt to contact them
Who you called or emailed, when, and what (if anything) they said. Gaps in communication matter as much as the deposit itself.
04
Separate facts from feelings
Keep one short summary of what was promised vs. what happened. You’ll reuse that language in checklists and demand-letter templates.
05
Decide your next organizational step
Many homeowners want a clean packet they can send, print, or share with someone they trust. Organization is not a guarantee of recovery — it’s clarity.
Prefer a structured packet?
The Deposit Plan’s $99 one-time recovery packet helps you turn those facts into a printable PDF organizer — timeline, evidence checklist, communication log, and demand-letter templates you customize. Document prep only. No subscription. No outcome promise.
Questions about the product only: support@thedepositplan.com. Need legal advice? Hire a licensed attorney in your state.
Quick reminders
- USA only — we do not serve projects outside the United States.
- Digital deliverables (PDF / portal). Nothing ships in the mail as a binder.
- No guaranteed recovery. Outcomes depend on your facts, contracts, payment method, and local processes.
- Full legal posture: Disclaimer, Terms, Privacy.