Up to $6,500 · 5 years to file.
A contractor who took your money, did poor work, or never finished. In Iowa, small-claims cases for this kind of dispute are filed in the Small Claims (District Court), where you can sue for up to $6,500.
Your deadline: Iowa generally gives you 5 years from when the claim arose to file. Miss it and the court can dismiss the case no matter how clearly you're owed.
The filing fee is around $95 (About $95 plus service.). Before you file, send a written demand letter and keep proof of delivery.
Source: Iowa Code § 631.1; deadlines: Iowa Code §§ 614.1. Reviewed 2026-06-17 (verify with the court clerk).
Note on deadlines: Written contract 10 yrs; oral contract 5; property damage 5; personal injury 2.
Suing for something else in Iowa: Iowa unpaid loan · Iowa security deposit · Iowa property damage · Iowa unpaid rent.
Suing for contractor dispute in nearby states: Minnesota ($15,000, 6 years) · Wisconsin ($10,000, 6 years) · Illinois ($10,000, 5 years) · Missouri ($5,000, 5 years) · Nebraska ($3,900, 4 years) · South Dakota ($12,000, 6 years).
General legal information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by county and court; consult a licensed attorney or your court clerk.
Updated July 2026