How to File a Complaint Against a Contractor in Oregon

You may be able to resolve your dispute directly with the contractor.

Before hiring a contractor, obtain his Oregon Construction Contractors Board license number and write a contract that you both sign. If you have a problem with the contractor, his CCB number and the written contract will pave the way for a successful dispute resolution with the CCB. The Oregon CCB recommends talking with your contractor about the problem before resorting to a formal complaint. If he does not resolve the issue, consider consulting an attorney.

Things You'll Need

• Notice of intent
• U.S. Postal Service receipt
• Complaint form
• Contract

Instructions

1. Send the contractor a notice of intent 30 days prior to filing a complaint. Make a copy of the letter for your records. Mail it as certified and make a copy of the U.S. Postal Service receipt. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board website offers a printable notice of intent. Provide the contractor's license number, and include your name and contact information.

2. Download a complaint form from the Oregon CCB website or call them and request a form at 503-378-4621.

3. Fill in the fields on page five. It requests your name and contact information, the contractor's name and contact information, the contractor's license number and information regarding the contract, such as the work start and stop dates, the total amount of money and how much has been paid.

4. List your complaints on page six. Briefly describe how the contractor breached the contract or how the work performed was negligent.

5. Indicate the type of structure involved in the contract on page seven. Below this, write instructions to the job site from the nearest major highway exit.

6. Print two copies of the form, reserving one copy for your records. Sign and date the form on page five. Attach a copy of the contract, the notice of intent and the Postal Service receipt to the form.

7. Mail the form and its attachments to the Oregon CCB at 700 Summer St. NE, Suite 300, PO Box 14140, Salem, OR, 97309-5052.

Tips & Warnings

• If you write your own notice of intent, rather than using the CCB's printable letter, include a statement informing the contractor of the impending complaint, your name, the contractor's name, the date and your signature.

• The deadlines for filing a complaint vary, depending on the type of complaint. Check with the CCB for your deadline as soon as you think you might have a problem with the contractor. The CCB will disregard any complaints filed outside these deadlines.

References

• Oregon Construction Contractors Board: Consumer Help
• Oregon Construction Contractors Board: Pre-Claim Notice
• Oregon Construction Contractors Board: Breach of Contract Complaint Form
• Oregon Construction Contractors Board: Contact Us
• Oregon Construction Contractors Board: Resolving Disputes With Your Contractor

Resources

• Oregon Construction Contractors Board: Dispute Resolution Services (DRS)