Had similar situation .
Builder is not always the man with the money .
Find the property owner or if he has a financial backer . Be nice to them but explain that builder refused to pay and you would like to avoid taking a lien . They may talk to the builder and get better results than you will .
It could be that the financier is unaware of builders practices . If this works you get your money without law fees .
1. Don't eat yellow snow
2. don't trust builders [Linked Image]