Contractors

Is there a statute of limitations on when a contractor can file a property lien against an individual for non-payment of services?

What is a Letter of Commitment? Also, if a person were going to a bank to borrow up front money, would this letter of commitment from the Project Lender be good as collateral?

If you have a construction lien filed on a property for not paying labor and the contractor files a bond instead of paying the lien, what is the next step?

We hired a contractor in September of 2004 to start a rather large addition of approximately 800 sq. feet. He didn't start the job until December of 2005. At this point we had him sign a memo that we had notarized that stated he would complete the job by March 15, 2006. Keep in mind when we signed the contract in Sept 04 we expected him to start immediately. We had only given him about 4,000 dollars to that point for a deposit and permits. The total contract amount was 68,000 dollars which was to be paid in 8,500 dollar increments. He started to buckle down and really get into the job. We paid him according to the contract. He then asked to be paid ahead of schedule which didn't seem like a problem because he was working and things were getting done. Well we ended up paying 2 payments ahead of schedule in the summer of 2006. It is now December and the job is still not complete. He is rarely here and complains that he is broke. Is there anything we can legally do to get this job complete or recoup our money so we can hire someone else?

A renter contracted us for construction and did not pay. We filed a lien on the property. The homeowner called and said they never contracted us for the work. Are they still responsible for services rendered?