How to Avoid a Property Lien for Smart Homeowners 

What are property liens?

They’re basically “IOUs” from your contractor but with legal bite. A lien is a claim someone files against your property when they say you owe them money. Not cute.

Why should you care?

• You can’t sell your property until the lien is paid off
• Contractors, subcontractors, and even suppliers can file one
  • Bonus nightmare: a subcontractor can lien you if the general contractor ghosts them-even if you paid the general contractor. More info here
• In some states, you might not even get a heads-up when a lien lands on your house. Yikes. 

Avoid a lien like a pro:

• Have everyone sign lien waivers (yep, even Chad with the tile samples)
• These waivers confirm they’ve been paid in full and give up the right to come after your home
• Pro tip: Start with your big-ticket items if it feels like too much paperwork

How to fight a lien on your property:

• Lawyer up. Seriously.
• A good attorney can look for technical errors to get the lien tossed
• Keep receipts, payment logs, and “I paid you, bro” texts
• If the contractor didn’t finish the job, gather evidence (photos, contracts, all of it)

Now go back to dreaming about that Pinterest-worthy kitchen. Whether you found your contractor on a legit platform like Pigybak or from a guy named Vinny who only accepts Venmo, keeping your paperwork tight can help you avoid a lien and keep your remodel drama-free.