Let's figure out what kind of dispute you have
Most contractor disputes fall into one of a few categories. You do not need to be certain before you start — just find the closest match and follow the playbook from there.
Identify your issue
Which of these sounds most like what you are dealing with?
Deduction From Pay
- Money was taken out of your paycheck or settlement
- They said you owe them for damage, missing items, or SOP failures
- You received a notice of chargeback or balance due
Damage Claim
- The company claims property was damaged during your delivery
- You are being blamed for broken, scratched, or missing items
- They sent you a bill or deducted for repair or replacement costs
Non-Payment
- You completed your work and have not been paid
- Payment is significantly delayed with no clear reason
- The company is withholding earnings without explanation
Documentation / SOP Dispute
- They say you missed a required photo or delivery step
- You are being penalized for a procedure you were not clearly trained on
- They claim your POD or delivery records are incomplete
Arbitration Prep
- You have already tried to resolve this and been ignored or refused
- You want to formally file a claim under your contractor agreement
- You need help organizing your evidence into a submission
How to identify your issue
Start with these steps if you are still unsure
You do not need to know the legal name for your dispute. You just need to understand what the company is claiming and what you want to push back on.
Read the notice or communication you received
Find the most recent written communication from the company. What specifically are they claiming? Is it about money, procedure, documentation, or unresolved pay?
Find the matching issue type above
Look at the signal cards above and pick the one that most closely matches what the company is actually claiming against you. You can always start with the closest match.
Open the playbook for that issue
Each playbook starts with a clear summary, evidence checklist, and step-by-step instructions. You do not need to have everything figured out before you start reading.
Gather your documents before you respond
Do not respond to the company yet. First pull your records — pay statements, delivery photos, POD confirmations, and any communications. Then follow the playbook's guidance on how to respond.
Still not sure?
Start with the general intake flow
The Start Here page walks you through each dispute type side by side. Pick the one that feels closest, read the first few sections of the playbook, and adjust from there.
ClaimGuard Pro
Ready to take action on your dispute?
Once you identify your issue, Dispute Kit unlocks the full template library and guided dispute flows. Case Builder adds arbitration prep tools for $99 one-time.