
Originally Posted by
pastor1189
Suppose a Florida handy man does work on the property.
But the homeowner is not happy with the job. And refuses
To pay the handyman for the total amount. Since there was no written contract and the handyman not being a license contractor, I believe he cannot file a mechanic’s lien on the property. But for the work he did performed he must get paid something.
may be up to a judge? Does this hypothesis sound correct?
I have a problem with someone hiring a handyman (apparently who should be licensed) who is not licensed and then using the lack of a license against the same handyman.
An oral contract is binding if there is an understanding between the parties. In NY you cannot be paid if the activity is illegal - for example, an illegal apartment or an unlicensed contractor.
Morally, yes, I'd say the homeowner owes the handyman the value of the work, but this is a legal board. If it comes down to a Judge I think the "licensed required" angle (and it is an angle) will be a problem for the handyman.
What is the cause of the dispute? Unfinished, poorly done, something else? In most cases you get what you pay (or contract) for.