Can a subcontractor file a lien if they botched the job and I am trying to negotiate the bill down?

I am a subcontractor but couldn't get to a job. One of my staff reached out to a friend of he dad's to see if they could help out. All discussions were verbal. They did not show up until 2 days after they were supposed to be there and they made a mess of the job. I am now up against a weekend deadline and looking at paying thru the nose for work to be done the weekend before Christmas to fix it. I want to negotiate a charge back on the bill. He is threatening to put a lien on the house.