Conversely, Texas mechanics liens have little recourse when a property owner encounters a contractor acting in bad faith. I recently assisted a friend challenge an improper lien on their homestead in Dallas when a plumbing company quit the job halfway through because they couldn’t use their epoxy repair technique and walked away. The contractor filed the lien for the total amount agreed upon because state law makes it trivial to do, and it is an uphill battle to challenge a lien. It only worked out in the end because we had accumulated a paper trail via email and sms messages with the contractor, and reported them with said evidence to the state licensing apparatus.

If engaging contractors in Texas for property work, get everything in writing and have an attorney familiar with construction law at the ready.