I just had the builder of my house replace the countertops under warranty. The installer and I verbally agreed that I would pay the extra cost of more expensive stone than what the builder usually puts in their new homes. After completion of the work, I receive an invoice of just a stated amount of $400. Following the receipt of the invoice by only one day, I receive no less than 13 phone calls requesting payment by the next day. This morning, the second business day after receipt of the invoice, the installer says that if payment is not made in full w/in the next 3 days he will put a lien on my house. By the way, I have singed nothing w/ either the installer or the builder for this warranty work that has been completed.

What to do?

Ask him what kind of lien he plans on putting on your house and further ask him for the statute number of the law allowing him to do that.

Then post that back here.

Or, I guess, you could pay the bill.

Interesting.

There is a bill before the current session of our legislature that would not allow mechanic's liens to be filed without a signed contract between the parties.

I think demanding payment in three days is a little extreme. There are costs involved in filing the lien and nothing will happen for quite some time, even if the court approves the filing.

This is a bluff. Let the contractor know when you plan to pay. Betcha no lien will be filed if you do that AND honor that plan.