Trump golf club renovation hit with 23rd lien, this time for $236K [18/23 paid]

Miami Herald ^ | August 10, 2016 | Jose Lambiet

[trebb]

It’s weird, for some reason contractors like to be paid in a timely manner.

Big contracts have contractors, sub contractors, sub-sub contractors, etc. If coordination breaks down or other issues arise, it would be a miracle if there were no disputes.

[faucetman]

Details?

Maybe claims for payment aren’t justified. Maybe the work isn’t 100% complete. Maybe there are problems with the work that they haven’t been paid for. Maybe claims are for extra work not included in contracts and require additional verification.

There could be many reasons why some payments are delayed. Delaying or denying payment is the best leverage an owner or general contractor has.

Unless you know all the details of about each lien, you can’t know if the delay in payment is justified.

Filing a lien is a nothingburger of a legal action. Don’t assume just because someone filed a lien that it was warranted.

[Boomer One]

What most readers will not realize is that contractors will frequently use liens to try and force payment of disputed bills. Bidding on contracts is often a “bait and switch” game. Contractor A puts in a bid below his cost figuring that add ons at a higher rate will provide profit. In addition, you may have multiple contractors billing for the same service. Then there is the problem of retention money. Typically the contractor’s profit is deferred until the project is complete. Then the battle begins for the funds. Did the contractor perform all work that was required? Was it acceptable workmanship? Did the owner have to hire another contractor to complete or re-do work? Were all invoices properly prepared and presented? Was all material used in accordance with the contract? And the list goes on. The bigger the project, the bigger the nightmare of reconciling and resolving disputes.