http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20080423/tuk-builder-takes-revenge-over-unpaid-bi-dba1618.html


im not sure how to make this a link for you guys. but please try



long and short of it in england a builder / tradesman who does a bad job is called a "cowboy"

AND

the english press would have it that ALL builders and ALL tradesmen are "cowboys"

BUT

in this particular case EVEN the local council agree with the builder

I bet she doesn't do that again.

The only benefit I see for the builder is the shear satisfaction of tearing it down. Looks like he vented his frustration pretty well!

Nickao

In my specific case anything on the clients property that was attached to the main house could not be taken down without the owners permission. Though the owner owes money and you can try to sue, usually you just have to lien the property. When they sell you get what they owe plus interest.

If you tried dismantling like the builder in this case, the police could definitley arrest you for destruction of property, trespassing, theft(If you take stuff away) and a multitude of other minor offenses.  If I built a Gazebo and it was not connected to the house I could have taken it away, but then the client possibly could be owed money depending on the specific contract.

To me its best to get progress payments, list it in the contract and stop work at the point they miss a payment. This gives the client incentive to pay or they have a project half complete. I would never go that far with someone owing me that much money, unless of course it was a 400,000.00 job. 10% at the completion of a job is common. But on the job in the article it looks like half if not more of the money was owed.

I am sure the laws vary state by state here in the US. I only speak from one experience I had years ago and the people paid up.

Nickao

Years ago, I spent some quality time at the local jail because I retrieved what I thought at the time was my property. I had installed a very expensive front entry door and sidelight set that the customer just would not pay for.  I've certainly learned a lot since.  Nickao is right, anything attached to or in some states even on the property is not up of grabs. 

But, contractors lien laws in the U.S. and specifically in Illinois are very strong.  The contractor can not only file a lien against the property securing his/her rights, but once a lien is filed, can successfully follow through with foreclosure.  In my state,anyway, it is not necessary to wait for the homeowner to sell for satisfaction. Anyone with an interest in the property (bank, contractor, ex-spouse) can file for forclosure for satisfaction. 

In 25 years I have filed for foreclosure only 3 times, but none have gone through the full route.  The banks or other lien-holders have always stepped in to settle. 

Again I agree with the above posts, it's always better to have strong, fair, and frequent payout schedules.

Dan

Dan I am sure glad I never had to go as far as starting a foreclosure on someone!  What about attorney fees, did you get them back? Did this end up costing the homeowner more then in the first place or did you settle on less.

Nickao

I am glad it all worked  out for you.

Nickao