mechanic's lien

[bobbi29]

Illinois
I hired a contractor to build a room addition on my home. He will not complete his punch list so I am withholding money. He kept a key and entered my home after I received a written letter he was done, to try and repair a window not shimmed properly. This was without my consent. There are still items on his punch list that he has not even attempted to correct. He as hired a attorney and put a mechanics lien on my home and has threatened to sue me. We did not have a written contract. He has done almost every thing under the table. Do I have any legal ground to stop this law suit. I really do not want the expense in going to court. Is there any thing I can do to stop this. Please give me some advise on my rights and some guide lines to follow.

 

[HomeGuru]

Illinois
I hired a contractor to build a room addition on my home. He will not complete his punch list so I am withholding money. He kept a key and entered my home after I received a written letter he was done, to try and repair a window not shimmed properly. This was without my consent.

**A: you should have called the police and filed trespassing charges.
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There are still items on his punch list that he has not even attempted to correct. He as hired a attorney and put a mechanics lien on my home and has threatened to sue me. We did not have a written contract.

**A: not written contract?
What were you thinking? Under the table, pay cash and save money? Was this contractor licensed? Did this contractor have liability insurance?
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He has done almost every thing under the table. Do I have any legal ground to stop this law suit. I really do not want the expense in going to court. Is there any thing I can do to stop this. Please give me some advise on my rights and some guide lines to follow.

**A: of course you don't want the expense of going to court; no one does. You have counterclaims against this contractor and need to fight for your rights.