Forum Archive

I don’t even know where to start. I am a single young lady who purchased my first home 3 years ago and I am slowly renovating it. In August of this year I hired a contractor that several of my neighbors used to do renovations in their home. He did excellent work and charged accordingly.He seemed honest ,professional and reliable so much so that my neighbors each gave him a key to their homes to have access to do the renos while they were at work, so I followed suit .I had my aunt drop by unannounced on her days off (she has a key) to make sure work was being done and see that things were going as planned. He appeared to have my best interest in mind by suggesting ways to improve on doing things or suggesting ways to get the job done in a less costly way.He completed the job and was paid in full for materials and labor.Well imagine my surprise when I received a certified letter and upon opening it discovered that a “mechanics lien ” was put on my home from some company that the contractor apparently did business with. How and why this company was able to put a lien on my home is baffling to me as I never did any business with them. I wont know what is going on till I speak to them . They are closed till next week .The letter itself is in legal terms that I don’t understand.I am panicked as I feel this will ruin my impeccable credit now and worse than that, when I tried to call the contractor, his numbers are disconnected.Both home and business, cell etc.I have such a headache.I dont know what a mechanics lien is, why this company put a lien on my house and how they were able to do so. I am now scared of what is to come .I simply hired him from recommendations to do work. Now I have a lien and a sum of over $5000 apparently owed to this supplier.I shudder at the mere thought that he screwed other businesses and they somehow come after me as well.In the meantime, what recourse do I have? I know more than likely I will have to get a lawyer but what kind? When this lien is removed,how will this affect my credit? What if the business doesnt want to take the lien off until they get paid, will I have to pay it? I paid the contractor in full and he completed the work.Aside from getting a lawyer and filing a complaint with the better business bureau, any suggestions on what I should do to protect myself against any other claims that might come in the future? Any, any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.