When you work on a house or a commercial
building, your labor and materials
enhance the value of that building.
But if you have a problem getting paid
for your work, you don't have the same
kind of remedy you would have if you
were, say, selling used cars: You can't
repossess your labor and materials.
All is not lost, however. Most states
have mechanics lien or construction
lien laws that allow you symbolically to
recover your costs — in effect, to
"repossess" the value of your materials
and labor. The requirements are strict
but clear and there is no reason you cannot
file a mechanics lien yourself. Since
requirements vary from state to state, it's
important