The state of Colorado has a number of construction laws in place designed to protect homeowners from dangerous situations and shoddy craftsmanship. There aren't, however, nearly as many means of legal protection available for the contractors who are performing the work.
In the event that a contractor performs a job according to specifications and in accordance with local codes and construction law, he or she has every right to be paid the price that was originally agreed upon. If the homeowner fails to pay the contractor for work performed under contract, the contractor can file a mechanic's lien in an effort to collect the money due.
Boulder Contractor Dispute Attorneys
At Elkus, Sisson & Rosenstein, P.C., we handle a wide variety of cases involving mechanic's liens, construction liens and other sources of construction disputes. Call us at 303-567-7981 or 888-854-8144 for a consultation with one of our Denver mechanic's lien attorneys.
Mechanic's liens can be filed by any contractor who provides services or performs work on a property. Filing a mechanic's lien won't necessarily guarantee the immediate payment of a debt owed for completion of construction or repair, and it may strain the relationship between the contractor and the homeowner, but it does offer more security to a reputable contract than they would have had without it.
The general process for filing a mechanic's lien is as follows:
- Make sure you have a solid contract that explains the work to be done and all costs
- You can now file a preliminary mechanic's lien or make the property owner aware of what a lien will entail
- After work is completed, make documented efforts to collect payment
- If the property owner doesn't pay, file a mechanic's lien with the help of a construction law attorney
If granted a mechanic's lien will prevent the property owner from obtaining a clear title of the property in question. In many instances, even the threat of filing a mechanic's lien is enough to urge the property owner to pay the contractor for the services rendered. A property owner can simply clear a mechanic's lien that has been granted by paying the debt to the contractor who has filed the lien.
If questions or disputes arise regarding a construction project or a construction debt, it may be in your best interest to reach out to an experienced Colorado construction defect lawyer. An attorney who is experienced in construction law will be able to review the details of the construction contract and the work to determine the most suitable and amicable resolution to the dispute.
If it appears as though the relationship between contractor and homeowner is beginning to turn sour, it is usually best for all parties involved to enlist the help of an experienced construction law attorney to help handle the dispute.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced construction litigation attorneys.
