Roof was installed, homeowner's refinance fell through. Roofing company left holding the bag for 23.000.
Fortunately, if a contractor is not paid for their work that improved a property, the contractor may file a mechanics lien. There are several steps that can be taken once a mechanics lien is filed . Most states require that the lien be "enforced" or "foreclosed". Enforcement means that you bring a lawsuit against the person you contracted with and/or the other relevant parties. It is important to know that in Colorado you only have 6 months to file an action to enforce a mechanics lien after completing or furnishing services or materials.
Specifically, Levelset has outlined 4 steps that can be taken after you file a mechanics lien including:
1. Send a copy of the mechanics lien to everyone
2. Communicate with the person most likely to pay, and then call the property owner
3. Send a Notice of Intent to Foreclose
4. File a foreclosure lawsuit
If you have continiously not been paid or ignored, you can escalate the claim by filing a Notice of Intent to Foreclose. The notice serves as the final warning to all interested parties, and tells the parties that they have one more shot to pay or your mechanics lien will be foreclosed upon. Keep in mind that most mechanics liens get paid before foreclosure action is ever required. However, escalating a lien claim to a foreclosure action is successful at getting most of those types of debts paid.
I hope that helps!