How Filing a Mechanic’s Lien Saved Our Payment: A Real-Life Example
In the construction industry, non-payment issues can sometimes put contractors and subcontractors in tough situations. We recently faced a scenario where filing a mechanic’s lien was the key to finally getting paid, and we owe it all to Speedy Lien.
The Situation: Non-Payment and Confusion
We had been working on a project under a General Contractor (GC), and everything seemed to be going smoothly—until it was time to get paid. The GC claimed that the tenant hadn’t paid them, which was the reason for the delay in our payment. On the other hand, the tenant (our customer) insisted they had paid the GC in full and refused to pay us directly. We were stuck in the middle of a blame game, with both the GC and tenant pointing fingers at each other.
Frustrated and with no other options, the GC suggested we file a mechanic’s lien to protect our right to payment. While it felt like a big step, it seemed like the only way to resolve the situation.
Filing the Mechanic’s Lien
We turned to Speedy Lien to help us filing the mechanic’s lien quickly and efficiently. Once the lien was filed, the general contractor, tenant, and property owner were all served with the lien notice. The filing of the lien brought everyone’s attention to the situation, including the landlord, who hadn’t been aware of the payment dispute.
The Turning Point: Landlord Intervention
Once the landlord received the lien notice, everything changed. The landlord wasn’t pleased to learn there was a lien on their property due to unpaid work. Suddenly, the problem was no longer just between us, the GC, and the tenant. The landlord became involved, putting pressure on both the tenant and the GC to resolve the situation immediately.
With the landlord now in the picture, things escalated quickly. The tenant and GC had no choice but to work out their differences and ensure that we got paid in full. Without filing the lien, it’s likely that we would still be waiting for payment, caught in the middle of the tenant-GC dispute.
The Power of a Mechanic’s Lien
This experience made us realize just how powerful a mechanic’s lien can be. Filing a lien ensures that property owners, general contractors, and tenants take your payment seriously. It’s a legal tool that protects your right to compensation and prevents you from getting lost in the shuffle of construction disputes.
We are incredibly thankful that we filed the lien with Speedy Lien. Without their help, we might have never seen the money we were owed for our work. If you ever find yourself stuck in a similar situation, filing a mechanic’s lien could be the difference between getting paid or walking away empty-handed.
For anyone dealing with non-payment issues, we highly recommend contacting Speedy Lien to help you protect your hard-earned money.
Dillon Nash, Executive Vice President
Speedy Lien, Inc.
212-203-7420 or 516-679-6702 EXT. 104
