Walk It Through: The Roof And The Unpaid Roofer
A contractor's lien, ninety days to file it, six months to sue, and a release.
The roof is finished, the homeowner disputes the bill, and the roofer threatens a lien.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One contractor on one house. Subcontractors and suppliers, bonding off a lien, the priority of liens and the dispute over the bill itself are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- AffidavitThe sworn statement a search warrant is issued on, establishing its grounds. A person served with a search warrant is given a copy of the warrant along with it.
- Mechanics' lienA lien on a building for labor or materials furnished for it, dissolved unless a sworn statement is served and filed within ninety days after the claimant stops work.
- Notice of pendencyThe notice of an action that, with a suit to enforce the lien, must be filed within six months after the claimant stops work, or the lien is dissolved.