What is the importance of a mechanic’s lien?

On Behalf of | Jul 17, 2020 | Business Law |

After purchasing your new house, the last issue you want to worry about is dealing with late payments for the contractors who did the construction work.

A mechanic’s lien is a claim for fair compensation for labor or supplies that builders used on your property.

Usage and definition

These claims often come from missing payments for remodeling certain rooms or even building a whole new house. According to FindLaw, their main purpose is to ensure that you pay builders for the work they completed. This also extends to the price of items used for building the room or house.

You may also owe liens even if you were not directly responsible for paying a bill. If your subcontractor is not paid by the contractor, you may have a legal obligation to address any outstanding fees in order to cover material or labor costs.

Payments for builders

Your real property, such as your house, may be at risk if you cannot fulfill the requirements for repayment. This also includes if you cannot pay for your subcontractor’s or supplier’s liens. Although it may seem unfair at first glance, the reason for this responsibility is the assumption that your needs are not as great as the contractor’s or supplier’s needs for payment.

In order to repay these costs, you may risk a lien against your property in order to satisfy the debt. It is common to bring a lawsuit against a general contractor on behalf of the unpaid costs. Learning about ways to prevent this from happening can help you, whether it requires you to pay with joint checks or sign a waiver to protect your money.