Building contractor not paying subcontractors - need advice.

[anniemac]

Well, the tough housing market is hitting all over. A friend of mine is building a home and has suspected that the local builder is struggling. That was confirmed when she received a legal notice that a subcontractor on the job is putting a lien on the house....due to not being paid by builder for work completed. Obviously, she has paid according to the contract (since house is still underway, she has not paid in full yet.) What should she do? My impulse is to advice legal representation and get prepared to sue the builder....in the middle of the build job. Not good.

 

[camachinist]

If you want to read discussion from inside the industry, here's a typical thread:

http://www.contractortalk.com/f16/non-paying-remodeler-contractor-27926/

Do a search on that site and you'll find plenty more, along with some good advice interspersed with the vitriol.

My first advice would be to get legal advice

Pat

 

[T/S Guy]

Get an attorney

Your contractor payment process has been set up wrong. Go to an attorney immediately. Assuming that you acquired the construction loan, you have control over all payments. You should set it up with your title company, or company servicing the payment of all expenses, to pay the sub contractors directly. Never have the builder pay the subs and get a Lien Release with each payment. You could end up paying for your home twice. Remember, the one who holds and controls the money is the one who controls the entire project.

Also, since the builder is not paying the subs he is probably cutting corners in the quality of construction. I would definetly hire a home inspection company to make phase inspections during the building process. Subject to the language of your builders' contract, you can make your builder go back and correct all mistakes at his expense. If he does not correct the mistakes, don't pay him.

Building a home is an eye opening experience. The builder is not your friend, he is your adversary. His job is to make as much money as possible. I had a home built a few years ago and that process was a nightmare. The final result was that I stood my ground, ultimately refusing to pay the builder his earnings until final closing (I paid all the subs). The result was that the $32,000. he was suppose to make (profit) was reduced to $11,000. after he paid for all mistakes. And "No" the builder and I are definetly not friends, but my home was built correctly. GOOD LUCK AND GET AN ATTORNEY.

 

[davidvel]

I agree with all the above. Some hope: in CA and many states the subcontractors have to give you what's called a "preliminary notice" before they commence work putting you on notice that they expect to get paid or they can file a lien. If they didn't give you this notice, they are out of luck.

Anyway, you have to get an attorney or specializes in mechanic's liens. Get recommendations from people who have been happy with an attorney who didn't gouge them.