The Truth Behind the Maine Contractor Epidemic
Maine homeowners with money in hand can't get a contractor to call them back. One wrote on Reddit that they had five figures ready for a new deck and couldn't get anyone to follow through with a quote. Another said they had never seen anything like it in any part of the country they'd lived in.
Seth made a video about why this keeps happening and what to do about it. Watch it above, or read the short version below.
Why won't Maine contractors call you back?
The good ones are busy, and many of them run on word of mouth with no website and no office staff. The pattern we hear most often goes like this: you call six to ten contractors, one or two come out to look, and the estimate shows up six to twelve weeks later, if it shows up at all. Then you hear nothing.
When a homeowner does finally sign, the trouble can start there. Some homeowners pay a large deposit to a contractor who then stops showing up. Others take a low bid that grows with change order after change order until the budget is gone.
Does Maine set any standard for contractors?
Maine sets no standard for general contractors. The state licenses plumbers and electricians, but nobody at the state level checks the person building your addition, your deck or your new house. A 2026 bill, LD 1226, would have started licensing residential building contractors. It passed both chambers and died without the funding it needed. We cover what that means in does Maine require a contractor license.
So anyone with a truck and a business card can call himself a master carpenter. A contractor who tells you he's licensed as a general contractor in Maine is claiming something that doesn't exist.
What happens when it goes wrong?
Sometimes it's worse than a no-show. In July 2026, WGME reported that a Lewiston contractor faces criminal charges after the Maine Attorney General's Office confirmed at least 14 consumer complaints against him. He was convincing enough to win every one of those jobs. You can't tell from a handshake.
How do you vet a contractor yourself?
Run these checks on anyone you're thinking of hiring, including the contractors we introduce:
- Check the paperwork. Ask the contractor to have their insurance company send you a certificate of insurance directly, so you know it's current. Then run a background check, which inexpensive online services do in minutes. More in contractor insurance in Maine.
- Call the people who've worked with them. Ask for three to five past homeowner customers, not friends or family, and ask each one what went wrong as well as what went right. Then ask who supplies their materials, call that lumber yard, and ask what the contractor is like to work with.
- Watch their work and their habits. Look at a portfolio, drive by a current job site to see how the crew works, and read their Google, Facebook and Better Business Bureau reviews. Notice how fast they get back to you, because same day or next day is what a professional looks like.
And check every bold claim. A contractor once told Seth his company had been named the best general contractor in the county. He had submitted his own name, and he didn't win. For more warning signs, see contractor red flags and questions to ask a contractor.
How much can a Maine contractor ask for up front?
Maine caps the initial down payment on a home construction contract at one third of the total price. Any home construction job over $3,000 needs a written contract signed by both sides, and the contract has to include the Attorney General's consumer protection information as an addendum. If someone asks for half up front, move on. The full rules are in 10 M.R.S. §1487, on the Attorney General's home construction page, and in our guide to Maine's contractor deposit law.
How does Seth's Home Pros help?
Our service is free for homeowners. Tell us what you're building and where. We match you with up to three vetted contractors in your area and set up the visits.
Most homeowners have quotes within a week, and we help you compare them side by side. You sign with the contractor you choose and pay them directly. We never touch your money, and you're under no obligation to hire anyone we introduce.
Frequently asked questions about Maine contractors
Does Maine require general contractors to be licensed? No. Maine licenses trades like plumbing and electrical work, but not general contractors or builders. A 2026 bill to change that died without funding.
How much of a deposit can a contractor ask for in Maine? On a home construction contract, the initial down payment can't be more than one third of the total price.
How do I find a Maine contractor who will actually call back? Call recent homeowner customers for referrals, and judge contractors on how fast they reply before you sign. Or tell us about your project: we match you with up to three vetted contractors, usually with quotes within a week, free for homeowners.
More on hiring: how to hire a contractor in Maine · contractor red flags · Maine's contractor deposit law