The whole point of hiring a licensed contractor is so that you can have the assistance of the CSLB should your contractor not live up to the terms of his contract or provide shoddy workmanship. There are other reasons to hire only licensed contractors, but that one shouldn't be overlooked. If it were me, I would go ahead and give them a call and ask them for advice. His paperwork for extending his license may be sitting over there in the backlog ... they always run behind over there, so if he delayed in submitting his worker's comp info, or if he waited until the last minute to send in his renewal, there will be a delay in posting his info online. Does he not have inspectors coming by to sign off on the work? In my city (So Cal), ceiling fans need a permit, and need to be signed off by an inspector. I would do my best to work with him in resolving the issues, but I would make sure he dots all his I's and crosses all his T's.

Well, generally speaking, folks should be able to get paid for the work they've done. If he's done 80% of the work, doesn't it seem that he should be entitled to 80% of the payment?

In California, there are lots of requirements for a lien, and there are different rules depending on whether or not there is a contract (or you're dealing with a subcontractor). You could ask a lawyer about your particular situation. For example, some of the relevant code sections:

"8410. A claimant may enforce a lien only if the claimant has given
preliminary notice to the extent required by Chapter 2 (commencing
with Section 8200) and made proof of notice."

"8412. A direct contractor may not enforce a lien unless the
contractor records a claim of lien after the contractor completes the
direct contract, and before the earlier of the following times:
(a) Ninety days after completion of the work of improvement.
(b) Sixty days after the owner records a notice of completion or
cessation."

If the contractor is dealing directly with the customer, i dont believe he needs a preliminary lien. A subcontractor dealing with a customer via a GC would need one. But you can still file a preliminary lien after the 20 day period but you could be limited on amounts you can collect, depending on when the work was done and when the prelim. lien was filed.

Well, we don't plan on not paying him, but he doesn't communicate to come to work or lets us know a time frame and he doesn't even let us know how much he wants for whatever work he's done. It seems he wants to work on his terms and finish the work on his terms and get paid in full on his terms. How do you work with someone like that? We really need our bathroom and sanity and not be dragged around by this bully of a GC.

Can I say he completed work and pay him up to the work he's done even though he did not finish? I really don't want him coming back and do any more shoddy work. Can I file completion of work in order for him to not come back? I read that once I file completion of work he only has 60 days to file.

I don't recall all the issues with your project, but regarding shoddy workmanship and illegal fixture installations, he would likely have trouble collecting:

" A mechanic's lien is a security interest in the title to property for the benefit of those who have supplied labor or materials that improve the property. ..."

Can you call the inspectors out to look at the work? Then you will have official documentation of the shoddy work. Use that as a basis for your discussion. Forget what the other electrician said. What did the inspector say?

Don't worry about his licensing. You can file that at any time. Right now you want him to forget about your job. Document, document, document. Photos. Inspector results. Show him that you mean business.

I would get everything together and send him a formal communication asking him to meet. Walk through the inspector findings and ask for a mutual walk away. Be prepared to negotiate favorable terms. Have all of the information ready to sign at that moment.

It is only $1700. If he wants to file the lien, then the burden of proof is on him.

Filing a mechanic's lien in California isn't easy. It sounds like more than $1.700.00 worth of work to me. I wouldn't worry about it.

Agreed. The filing fee isn't much, but he needs to have all his ducks in a row, and judging from how he's handling things thusfar, he probably doesn't. It's one thing to threaten with a mechanics lien, but it's another to actually go through all the steps of actually filing one. Of course, there are sevices that will actually do that for him for a fee, but the ducks still need to be lined up. If it were me, I'd try to come up with an amount that will satisfy you both ... him for work done, and you to have him gone.

"If he's done 80% of the work, doesn't it seem that he should be entitled to 80% of the payment?"

Depends on how you look at it. On the surface, your question seems logical. But to the homeowner, it may be impractical or impossible to live in a room that is 20% unfinished. And if electrical work isn't up to code, even 1% not done properly could burn your house down.

Certainly not trying to excuse any shoddy workmanship; only the OP (with the help of an inspector) will know whether or not the work is any good. Just pointing out that the OP said the work was up to 80% done but they've only paid for less than 60% -- maybe that is one reason why the contractor doesn't seem eager to come back(?), or maybe not.

Can totally sympathize with being out a bathroom. I hope they get it all fixed up nicely soon.

• What sort of 3 month project would be a total of $4100.00. That amount of work should not even be 2 weeks?

A lien can be filed when the project is completed or the contract is terminated. His threat implies that he will quit before completion and that he has clear evidence of your breach of contract. I doubt being $200 behind in payment is enough to justify quitting and filing a lien.

"A lien can be filed when the project is completed or the contract is terminated."

In my state, Florida, a lien can be filed at any time, but must be filed within 90 days of completion. It's always a good idea to check state law.