We can help." data-es="¿Tienes un problema con un contratista?Podemos ayudarte.">Having a problem with a contractor?We can help.
Construction disputes are stressful, expensive, and slow — and most of them never needed a courtroom. We assess what actually happened, recommend what’s fair, and negotiate to close it out.
File a dispute →We have decades of engineering and construction management experience — including resolving disputes and addressing complex issues on projects from small repairs to mega-projects.
That means we can look past who argues hardest and assess what the work actually required, what was agreed, and what a reasonable outcome looks like — helping both sides avoid costly litigation and the expense of formal complaints.
Let our experience and expertise work for you.
Six steps to a resolution
The same process whether you’re the homeowner or the contractor. Both sides are heard.
Tell us what happened
Submit the details through a short form — what was agreed, what went wrong, and what you’ve already tried. Upload photos, contracts, invoices, and messages.
We review both sides
We contact the other party and give them a fair opportunity to respond. Nobody is judged on one side’s account alone.
We assess the work
Our expert engineers and construction managers review the technical issue, inspect photos and documents, and assess the actual scope, workmanship, and industry standards — not just who argues loudest.
We recommend a resolution
You receive a written, reasoned recommendation: what we believe is fair, why we reached that view, and what each party should do to close it out.
We help you negotiate
We take the recommendation to both parties and help you negotiate a fair resolution to your matter. Most disputes end here, without anyone filing anything.
If needed, we escalate
If negotiation isn’t enough, our small claims package adds an attorney-signed demand letter and prepares your court documents so you can take the matter further yourself.
The disputes we see most
Workmanship & quality
Work that wasn’t done to standard, or doesn’t match what was agreed.
Scope disagreements
“That wasn’t in the quote” — disputes about what the job actually included.
Change orders & extras
Additional charges that were never approved, or approved work that wasn’t billed correctly.
Delays & abandonment
Jobs that stalled, ran far past schedule, or were left unfinished.
Payment disputes
Withheld final payments, disputed invoices, deposits, and retainage.
Damage during work
Damage to property, adjacent finishes, or systems caused during the job.
Flat fees. No hourly billing.
One price, agreed up front — no hourly billing. Jobs booked through Project Express® are charged at a lower rate. Where a demand letter is needed it is prepared and signed by an attorney, not a template you complete yourself.
Negotiated resolution
Small claims self-help
Complex disputes
| What’s included | Negotiated resolution$499 / $799 | Small claims self-help$999 / $1,299 | Call us" data-es="Disputas complejasLlámanos">Complex disputesCall us |
|---|---|---|---|
| Review of both sides | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Technical assessment by our engineers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Written recommendation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Negotiation on your behalf | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demand letter prepared and signed by an attorney | — | ✓ | Quoted |
| Small claims documents prepared (LDA service) | — | ✓ | Quoted |
| Evidence pack prepared for court | — | ✓ | Quoted |
| On-site assessment where needed | Quoted | Quoted | ✓ |
Court fees are not included in the small claims packages. Filing fees are paid by you directly to the court and vary by claim amount and county. Small claims documents are prepared through a registered Legal Document Assistant under California law — an LDA prepares documents at your direction for you to file and present yourself, and is not your attorney. All our fees are flat and quoted before any work begins. Multi-issue, high-value, or technically complex matters are quoted individually, so call us and we’ll tell you the cost before you commit. Any attorney work beyond a single letter of demand is separate and agreed in advance.
What people ask us
Do I have to have hired through Project Express®?
No. Anyone can open a case. If you hired through the platform the fee is lower — $499 rather than $799 for a negotiated resolution, and $999 rather than $1,299 for the small claims package — because we already have the project record on file.
What is a demand letter, and who signs it?
A demand letter sets out what you believe you are owed and what you want done about it. On every one of our packages the letter is prepared and signed by an attorney — not a template you complete yourself. A letter on an attorney’s signature carries considerably more weight.
What does the small claims package include?
Everything in a negotiated resolution, plus a demand letter prepared and signed by an attorney, preparation of your small claims documents through a registered Legal Document Assistant, and an organised evidence pack built from our technical assessment. Court filing fees are paid by you directly to the court and are not included.
Who prepares the small claims documents?
A Legal Document Assistant registered in California. Under California law an LDA prepares legal documents at the direction of a self-represented person — you remain in control of your own case, and the LDA does not act as your attorney or give legal advice.
Will you represent me in court?
No. Small claims court is designed for people to represent themselves, and in California attorneys generally cannot appear for a party in small claims anyway. We prepare you, your documents, and your evidence — you present the case.
Is this legally binding?
No. Our recommendation is not a court judgment and neither party is legally compelled to accept it. In practice, a clear, reasoned assessment from experienced engineers resolves most disputes without anyone going to court.
Are you acting as my lawyer?
No. Project Express® is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Demand letters are prepared and signed by an independent attorney, and small claims documents are prepared by a registered Legal Document Assistant — in each case that professional, not Project Express®, provides the service.
What if the other side refuses to participate?
We’ll still assess the matter and issue our recommendation. A documented, independent assessment is useful evidence if you later pursue the matter formally — and refusal to engage is itself noted on a pro’s record.
How long does it take?
Most cases reach a recommendation within a couple of weeks, depending on how quickly both parties supply information and whether an on-site assessment is needed.
Can contractors file too?
Yes. Disputes run both ways — unpaid invoices, homeowners changing scope mid-job, or access problems. We assess both sides on the same standard.
Important: Project Express® is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Our recommendations are independent technical assessments, not binding determinations. Demand letters are prepared and signed by an independent attorney; small claims documents are prepared by a Legal Document Assistant registered in California, who prepares documents at your direction and does not act as your attorney. Nothing on this page is a guarantee of any particular outcome.
Let’s get this resolved.
Tell us what happened. We’ll review both sides and recommend what’s fair.