Sub-contractor mechanic's lien

I’ve paid my GC for the full contract, but currently have $10K left in our retainage. The GC hasn’t come back to finish the job (don’t know when/if he will, and I’m tired of chasing him down to finish the punchlist), but I just got notice from one of their subs that they haven’t been paid since October after many months of chasing the GC, and they want to file a $8000 lien on our home. We are totally up to date on our payments, and under our AIA contract, all our payments are for what we’re invoiced for and constitute a full payment for those trades and work, which includes this sub’s. I didn’t ask for subcontractor lien waivers at the time, because I was relying on what our contract said. The GC is also obligated to provide a lien waiver at the end of the job, but I don’t know if/when he’ll return. I’m worried about having this lien on our house. Has anyone been through something similar? What is the process for defending ourselves from this?

emmajacob

in General Discussion 8 years and 1 month ago

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Lurker | 8 years and 1 month ago

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We were threatened with similar circumstances, but I believe a lien can only be filed within 4 months of last day of work on a single family home. http://nymechanicsliens.blogspot.com/p/mechanics-lien-faq.html

Still take an hour or two to lfile a complaint with the DCA and in a couple months they will follow up, so you at least get the process started. Takes time but it works. You’ll need to close your permits some day and you either need this GC to do it or pay someone else a ransom.

mozeeatupu | 8 years and 1 month ago

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Going to have to pay the sub and sue the GC, most likely., and file a complaint with DCA