What happens when a homeowner fires you partway through a job?

Work it through

You're the contractor. Pick what you'd do, then see how each choice plays out.

1. AStay professional. Review your contract's termination clause. Calculate work completed vs. payments received. Provide a final accounting, return any overpayment, and document the job's current state with photos before leaving
   Correct

   Getting fired happens. How you handle it defines your professionalism. Your contract should have a termination clause specifying: notice requirements, payment for work completed, return of unused materials or prepayments, and the process for final accounting. Document the current state of work with dated photos. Provide a detailed breakdown of costs incurred. If they owe you for completed work, invoice for it. If you owe them a refund, pay it promptly. A clean exit protects your license.

2. BRefuse to leave until you're paid for all work completed plus a cancellation penalty
   Aggressive

   Refusing to leave a client's property is not a debt collection strategy. You may be owed for completed work — that's a legitimate claim you can pursue through proper channels. But physically refusing to leave someone's home escalates to trespassing territory. Invoice for completed work, document everything, leave professionally, and pursue payment through contract terms or small claims court if needed.

3. CWalk off the job immediately and tell them to figure it out themselves
   Unprofessional

   Walking off without proper documentation, final accounting, or securing the work site creates problems. Open plumbing, exposed wiring, or incomplete waterproofing in a bathroom can cause water damage. You have a duty to leave the site in a safe condition. An angry exit with no documentation also means no record of what was completed vs. paid — which becomes a he-said/she-said if the MHIC gets involved.