Mechanic's lien

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Physis 3

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I've finally after about 12 years of working for myself (or whomever it is I'm working for more accurately) found it necessary to file a mechanic's lien. All I need to know is what the maximum interest percentage is that I can apply in California.
 
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as I can recall getting tested on the law part of the california contracting lic. , it does not state anything about interest percentage. Did you work under a contractor or work done by yourself?
 
Filing a lien in NW Indiana is a pretty simple peocedure, we file it for the amount owed, time it takes to get it recorded and any additional costs incurred for the paperwork and filing to release the lien. So roughly if it is $10,000.00 lien, it can turn into $100.00s of dollars worth of costs, if the lien isn't settled after 90 days we charge 2% per/mo
 
The work was under a general contractor. Three parties were all aware of what the work would be and the GC got it on paper. When the work was done and it was check time the property owner "re"decided what the work was worth and was pretty happy with less than half. It's only $170.00 and I was just gonna say forget it but later the GC starts telling me about some problem and wanted me to do warranty work. I decided I'm not fixing something that wasn't paid for, the first time I've ever declined. Besides, the problem was with an existing phone jack, I told the GC I knew what the problem was but I wasn't gonna tell him. :grin: Anyway, the GC starts talkin' smack about my impecible work :mad: And he's been acting like a jerk in general since. I don't think his lisence is current and I'm looking forward to him maybe having some issues with that. :smile:
 
Sorry to hear the hard time they are giving you. While I agree that it might not be worth the trouble for $170. I would consider leagal action just for the principal of it.

I'd have your lawyer send him a certified letter saying that you mean business. That usually does the trick.
 
My best advise would be to contact a company that provides this service to the construction industry in your area, let them know you are interested in using their company for future jobs and see what they tell you. They may be very informitive, and giude you in the right direction all in one call. In Florida there many guide lines (such as time limitations upon completion). On larger jobs it's easier to hire a company to handle it for you. Once you know all the rules, it's not to bad to handle the smaller ones inhouse. Here, I believe they can also just post a bond in the amount owed and you've wasted your time and money. it's been awhile since I've dealt with NOC, NTO and releases.

Best of Luck, I hope you get paid.

R
 
S'mise said:
Sorry to hear the hard time they are giving you. While I agree that it might not be worth the trouble for $170. I would consider leagal action just for the principal of it.

I'd have your lawyer send him a certified letter saying that you mean business. That usually does the trick.
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It is the principal. And I myself, live under my own principals, that seem to be a bit higher than most peoples, certainly not because I'm perfect, but because I consider some behaviours to be inexcusable aside from just basic bad, if not nonexistant, ediquate. The GC's further nonsense since, as if being a deadbeat isn't bad enough, is well deserving of a reality check.

The forms are rather simple, very simple. But not having done this before I'm pretty much expecting some form of complications to manifest themselves during the processs.

Oh, and I think it would probably be cheaper to file rather than pay the lawyer. Although I don't know the filing cost yet, it just goes through the county clerk's office, I'm thinking it's fairly inexpensive. Besides, I think the lien would make a better point than a letter. The HO's an old friend of the GC and I think it would be good to expose how the GC totally dropped the ball by not paying attention to what I provided him in writing and further, deadbeats who change agreed to parameters aren't easily impressed by letters, I think I'd prefer the drama and imposition of my owning a piece of the property. Then the HO and the GC can try to invent a reason why I'm even more screwed up now than when I performed the work, together.
 
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