What is mechanic lien? A query made by a curious student when this was posed by a co-teacher in a Law subject. For the record, mechanic lien is a “bind” against a property that will allow the following: a foreclosure action if it becomes unpaid, thus, forcing the sale of a home; double payment for the same job, if the prime contractor does not pay the supplier or subcontractor; a mar on the title of the property that can impinge the homeowner’s ability to do anything to the property (i.e. sell, refinance, borrow against). If that happens, there are legal representatives that can help in pursuing such actions; if it happens that you’re one of the contractors or if you are the property owner. If you are the property owner, you can avoid such technicality by ensuring your contractor’s permits and certifications, double-checking the details of the written contract which should include the payment schedules and the identification of the contractors and the suppliers, keeping track of the paper works and more importantly, having joint checks which will guarantee that both parties will be paid since both of these parties have to endorse the said instrument. In any case, better know your contractors.