Your contractor has disappeared mid-build: what should you do?
2 April 2026
Diagnosis · Corrections · Restart
Taking over a stalled or abandoned build.
Your build has stopped, is poorly supervised or is hard to get going again: diagnosis, technical priorities, correction of non-compliant work and restart.
Service 08 / 10 · illustrative image
The service
A contractor who disappears, work at a standstill, deposits already paid: it is one of the most stressful situations a private client can face.
We take on builds that are already under way, after a diagnosis. We check the existing condition, set the technical priorities and the corrections needed, then restart the build within a written framework.
What is included in this service.
- 01Diagnosis of the existing condition
- 02Survey of non-compliant work and technical priorities
- 03Itemised costing of the takeover, line by line
- 04Correction of defective work
- 05Restart of the build with a schedule and documented monitoring
This service is for you if…
01
Build at a standstill
The contractor no longer responds or work has been stopped for weeks.
02
Poorly supervised build
You have doubts about the quality of what has been done.
03
Changing contractor
You want to resume with a clear framework and full documentation of the existing work.
- 01Brief and budgetYour priorities, your budget, the plot.
- 02Plans and costingFirm quote, line by line.
- 03Monitored constructionShared schedule, online photo reports.
- 04HandoverJoint inspection, signed handover report.
FAQ
Taking over a stalled build: your questions.
01Do you take on builds that have already started?
Yes, after a diagnosis. We check the existing condition, the technical priorities and the corrections needed before resuming.
02What should I do before changing contractor?
Document the situation (messages, payments, dated photos) and have the condition of the site formally recorded. Our guide on what to do when a contractor abandons the build sets out the steps.
To find out more.
You might also need…
Structural work
Earthworks, foundations, reinforced concrete frame, masonry and roofing: each stage checked before the next.
Finishing works
Floor finishes, renders, paint, sanitary ware, interior joinery and façades, through to a handover with no snags.
Turnkey construction
A single point of contact from the first drawing to the handover of the keys: design study, structural work, building services and fit-out, finishing works and handover.