We installed an inground pool and redid the coping this spring, April. The customer is now refusing to pay their final bill. What are my options? We have a signed contract and we have in our contract the Enforcement of Contract.
1 reply
Jun 11, 2020
Sorry to hear you're having trouble with getting paid on this project. The good news is that you're probably in a good position to file a mechanics lien on the property. Assuming that this project is on an owner-occupied property with 1-4 units, your contract's language most likely takes care of the notice requirement in Tennessee.
Since you're a contractor dealing directly with the owner, Preliminary Notice or Notice to Owner requirements are pretty straightforward. As is probably normal practice for your company, you can simply include the appropriate language, "built-in," into the contract before commencing work. You can even include this Notice to Owner after the contract is signed, but before commencing work.
You have up to a year to file a mechanics lien in most Tennesee cases, but the sooner, the better. Here's some information about Tennessee Preliminary Notice and Mechanics Lien laws.