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can i get paid for a job i did?

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I did a job and we had a contract/estimate, in the contract/estimate it stated that troubleshooting was not included along with any work not stated in the estimate. Upon completion of the stated work the homeowner stated that she needed the internet working in her house. This was during the height of the COVID-19 quarantine. We obliged her by figuring out why those plugs didnt have power and proceeded to fix the problem. now that everything is done she is refusing to pay for the work that was done. She is also threatening to call various state and local boards to complain that i am a "crook" i need to know what legal right i have to get paid for the work i did. I didn't get anything in writing that says that she was requesting this work to be done however i do have workers that heard her say these things.

1 reply

Aug 10, 2020
If you've completed the work you were contracted to do, and if you've gone unpaid for that work, then leveraging or even pursuing a mechanics lien filing could be an effective way to get paid. Mechanics liens are extremely powerful, and they force payment in a number of ways (Levelset counted 17). But, because a lien claim is so powerful, simply threatening to file a lien claim will often lead to payment all by itself. More on that here: What is A Notice of Intent to Lien And Should I Send One? Beyond liens, other claims - like breach of contract, a claim under CA's prompt payment laws, and others - may be on the table. And, threatening to pursue legal action via a payment demand letter could also lead to payment. If a lien claim does become necessary, these articles should be useful: (1) California Mechanics Lien Rules & FAQs; and (2) How to File A Mechanics Lien in California – Step By Step Guide To Get You Paid. If legal claims seem more appropriate, then having a CA construction lawyer help would be invaluable. You can begin that search here: Top California Construction Lawyers.
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