Q: Did a job for investor, now accusing me of theft because I'm keeping her tools for pending payment. Please help.
I'm a HVAC technician / handyman and was hired by a realtor and the investor who were apperantly done wrong by their previous contractor and the house was put on a lien by previous contractor. They hired me on February 21st and wanted me to start February 23rd, 2015 to finish the pending job in 7 days or by March 3, 2015 latest. Agreement of pay was $2,100 total to complete the job in 7 days. I received $1,200 payment upfront and was supposed to receive rest after job was completed. I finished the job on March 1st as per scope of work document received. However now the investor refusing to pay and asked me to leave the job and is accusing me of tool theft. I advised her that I would return the tools once I receive my payment. She however filed a case with the Sheriff of theft of her tools? How can I proceed, what should I do, please help. Thanking you in advance.
A: You need to hire an attorney and also need to learn how to perfect a construction lien on property that you do work on. You cannot do this yourself.
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