Contractor Suddenly Wants $15k More: What Are Your Options?

Ever get blindsided by a big bill halfway through a home project? Imagine signing a contract for a new deck at $40,000—then the contractor tells you demolition is taking longer than expected and suddenly asks for $15,000 more. That’s a 300% jump on just one line item! If your contractor wants more money after the job starts, it can feel overwhelming and unfair. Let’s talk through what you can do if this happens to you.

Understanding Your Contract When the Contractor Wants More Money

Most home improvement projects start with some kind of paperwork—a proposal, estimate, or quote. In this case, the homeowner signed a “proposal” that listed demolition for $5,000 as part of the total price. Half was paid upfront; the rest was due when the job finished.

So what happens when demolition takes longer (the old deck had a huge steel frame) and the contractor says they need much more money—without warning or a signed change order up front? Legally and practically speaking, that’s not how it’s supposed to work.

A quick rundown:

• Proposal: Usually means the contractor is offering to do specific work at a specific price.
• Estimate: A ballpark guess—final price may go up or down.
• Quote: Often considered legally binding; fixed price for specified work.

A proposal can be binding like a quote if both parties sign it—and any changes should be agreed upon in writing before extra work (and charges) happen.

Your Rights When Project Costs Balloon

If your contractor wants more money partway through and there’s no signed change order before they did the extra work, you have leverage. Most states require contractors to get written approval from homeowners before tacking on major costs—especially if those costs are thousands of dollars above what you agreed.

Here’s what you’re entitled to:

• A clear explanation of why costs increased
• Written documentation (not just texts)
• The chance to review and agree (or not) before extra charges are incurred

If they went ahead anyway—even after mentioning trouble by text but not giving details or asking for approval—that’s on them. You don’t have to accept or pay surprise charges just because they finished the work.

How To Negotiate With Your Contractor

Before panic sets in about lost deposits or unfinished decks, take these steps:

• Stay calm and polite. This isn’t personal—it’s business.
• Ask for documentation. Get detailed breakdowns of why demolition took longer and costlier than planned.
• Mention contract terms. Point out that any changes should’ve been approved in writing first.
• Negotiate fairly. If their estimate was way off but steel beams really were hidden hassles, offer something—but not full price. Maybe meet halfway to cover legitimate extra labor/materials.
• If talks stall: Consider mediation through local consumer protection offices or small claims court—but remind them they risk bad reviews and legal trouble if they hold your deposit hostage without justification.

Anecdote time: One homeowner shared how their bathroom remodeler wanted an extra $8k halfway through demo because of “unexpected plumbing.” The couple stood firm—they reviewed their contract and only paid an additional (reasonable) amount after negotiating down from the original demand. The key? Calmly insisting on sticking to written agreements.

Bouncing Back From Construction Disputes

At the end of the day, most contractors want happy clients (and referrals). Overcharging after underbidding never looks good—for them or future business. It helps to approach negotiations as partners trying to solve a problem—not enemies in court.

Here are some final tips:

• Document everything—from texts to emails to photos of hidden problems
• If possible, involve an impartial third party (like a mediator)
• Don’t sign anything new until you’re comfortable with revised terms
• If threatened with abandonment or loss of deposit without cause—seek legal advice immediately

Your contract is there to protect both sides—not just one. If your contractor wants more money late in the game without proper paperwork or warning, push back respectfully but firmly. Have you ever faced an unexpected bill like this during renovations? How did you handle it?