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: Home Contractor vs. Homeowner

The Strength of a Mechanic's Lien

By Andrea Goldman, Esq.

One of my readers asked a very good question in response to a recent blog post. Is the mechanic's lien a stronger item in Massachusetts? The answer to that question is yes, a mechanic's lien is a very effective means for a contractor to put someone on notice of his claim. It will also put a "cloud" on the title of the property, meaning that most real estate conveyances cannot take place once a lien has been filed.

Over the past few years, mechanic's liens I have filed have prevented progress payments for new constructions projects, prevented the sale of houses, and forced others to come to the table and try to settle the dispute.

The only way for a property owner to dissolve a lien without going to court is to post a bond, and as some of my clients have found out, posting a bond can be quite expensive (usually 10% more than the amount of the lien).

Even if the lien is not done properly, one still has to file an action in court to dissolve it, which requires paying legal fees that are frequently not recoverable.

So, in order for a contractor to protect his or her interests, she should file the necessary documents for a mechanic's lien. It is much less costly than filing suit and a very effective means of pursuing payment.

Full post as published by Home Contractor vs. Homeowner on June 12, 2008 (boomark / email).