Anyone have any suggestions to how I can get someone to pay me my money?

[1M800]

It has all been said already but here is my 2 cents. Again Canadian laws may be different. Unless you sent a pre lien notice you probably can't file a lien. That notice has to be perfect! The right font, the right size print, the right wording etc. etc. Without a written contract I would say you are SOL. I would take the 3 grand and call it a life lesson. It really sucks, but being the manager of a retail lumberyard I deal with contractors every day. You are not alone, this happens all the time! I just can't figure out why guys are doing work without a contract!

 

[superdoo]

.

Send them a certified letter stating

Notice of Intent to lien
put their name
address
parcel number

This is a notice of intent to lien said property for works performed that were unpaid in the amount of $1,000.00. If payment isn't made by (10 days date) a lien in the amount of $1,000.00 will be placed on this property.

See if this gets any action out of them. You can even go file the lien at 10 days and it will be enforce for 90 days until it needs to be perfected. (most likely they won't know or understand).
It would prompt me to action if somebody threatened a lien against my house.

cuso, most times in our biz when we send a registered letter of intent thats enough to change their minds without ever having to go through with it.
they see you are coming in as a "half ton contractor" without a big business name behind you and its common for them to feel they can bully their way out of a portion of the bill.

get a letter from your lawyer done up and start with that. if you are lucky and they maybe own a biz of their own, stake it out and let their customers know what type of business people they are.

 

[f3600]

cuso, most times in our biz when we send a registered letter of intent thats enough to change their minds without ever having to go through with it.
they see you are coming in as a "half ton contractor" without a big business name behind you and its common for them to feel they can bully their way out of a portion of the bill.

get a letter from your lawyer done up and start with that. if you are lucky and they maybe own a biz of their own, stake it out and let their customers know what type of business people they are.

I'd be careful going in with a lien you know you can't perfect. It is just as easy for a homeowner/homebuilder that has a good lawyer to file a slander of title suit against you. That said, the owner sounds like a jerk and if possible find out the other projects he needs done to complete his project. Maybe you'll know one of the other contractors and they can include your charges in their bill.