A slew of websites allow you to post information about bad contractors, including angieslist.com, franklinreport.com, and contractorsfromhell.com. You can also file a complaint with the state contractor licensing board, which could make the information public if it receives enough complaints.

These steps won’t fix your crooked tile, but you may take comfort in knowing that you’ve protected a fellow home owner from the same fate.

The catch: A contractor could sue you for libel over a bad review. State laws vary, but truth is a strong defense, says Atlanta attorney Alan Begner, president of the First Amendment Lawyers Association, a trade group. Still, a big contractor with deep pockets could force you to spend tens of thousands in your own defense.

To decide how—and whether—to go after your contractor, ask a construction attorney to review your situation. You’ll pay between $500 and $1,000 for a consultation, but you could save far more money (and aggravation) in the long run.