A Clearwater, Florida couple who hired a contractor to install hurricane-resistant windows now face a nearly $39,000 lien and the real risk of losing their home after the company vanished mid-job. The work was financed through a contractor-linked lender, the project was left unfinished, and a supplier says it was never paid, so it filed a mechanic’s lien for $38,926.68. This piece walks through how that can happen, what the law allows, and practical steps homeowners can take right away.
Andrea Atherton and Mike Gonoub bought what they called their “retirement Shangri-La,” then hired Mister Window to replace sliding doors and windows. The new doors initially failed inspection for minor problems that were corrected, but the crucial final step — sealing the doors with caps and covers to weatherproof them — never happened. The company scheduled a return visit in January and then stopped answering calls and messages.
“I called every number I had for Mister Window and every number was dead,” Atherton said. After the no-shows, the couple tried to hire a different contractor to finish the work, but many firms are reluctant to touch a partially completed, inspected job from another company. That left the unfinished sealing task and exposed the homeowners to further risk.
Even though the project was financed so a third-party lender paid Mister Window up front, the supplier who supplied parts claims it wasn’t paid. The unpaid supplier filed a mechanic’s lien against the property for $38,926.68, a legal claim that can be used to pressure payment and, in rare cases, move toward foreclosure if the debt is not resolved. Months on, the job remains incomplete and the lien remains on the title.
“It makes me feel like I did something wrong, like I broke some sort of law,” Gonoub said. “I’m a consumer who needed new windows, that’s all.” Their frustration is understandable — homeowners often think that paying a contractor settles all obligations, but the law allows unpaid subcontractors and suppliers to place liens on the property where the work occurred. That gap in the payment chain is where trouble starts.
Mister Window’s attorney reportedly said the company plans to file for bankruptcy, though no formal filing had been recorded at last notice and the company otherwise refused to comment. “They can just walk away, declare bankruptcy and move on,” Atherton said. “What about us (1)?” When a contractor disappears or goes bankrupt, homeowners can be left holding the title with a lien attached while chasing remedies through courts, insurers, or regulatory funds.
Florida homeowners have a limited fallback in some cases: the state’s Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund exists to help victims of licensed contractors’ financial mismanagement after other avenues are exhausted. That option requires meeting strict eligibility rules and can be a slow path. Legal counsel, contact with the lender, and persistence with licensing boards are often necessary early steps to protect both the property and any insurance or recovery claims.
There are practical steps to reduce lien risk on any renovation. Ask for lien waivers from contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers before releasing large payments; request joint checks or pay suppliers directly when possible; and avoid paying the full contract amount up front, instead tying payments to completed milestones. Research a contractor’s license, insurance and complaint history thoroughly and demand written proof of who will be paid and when.
If you find yourself in this situation, act fast: notify your lender and title company, document every conversation and invoice, and consult a lawyer who handles construction or real estate claims. Consider contacting your state licensing board to explore complaints and recovery funds while you weigh whether to finish the work with a new contractor under a clear contract. These steps won’t erase the stress, but they help convert confusion into a concrete plan for addressing a lien and getting the job completed.
