Location: California
Hi all,
I'm really in need of some quick advice. We had a small-ish ($10k) home improvement job where they left with issues and it was incomplete, and then my wife said she wouldn't pay the last installment until the job was complete and to satisfaction.
Within minutes we get a call from their office and they start escalating "breach of contract" and "must get paid some money today". I sent photos of the bad install, and they pushed back and minimized things. This starts spiraling out of control with pressure and tactics, including sending us a certified demand letter/threat of collections, and also texts about small claims, and putting a lien on our property. I had texted that I'm really busy at start of work week, and 2 days later they sent that demand letter, including a "transcript" that redacted texts to make them look good and us bad.
They are continuing the pressure and we have a medical emergency. My wife thinks we should just pay the scammers and wash our hands of them, but I'm not sure. These are crazy bullies, and I'm not sure if it's worth small claims, or just walk away. I want to file CSLB and all of that, but don't want to discredit ourselves if we "pay" to get them to go away. We really can't take this stress/attack right now from them.
I've gotten conflicting advice. One person said "let them do it, and counter in small claims", but this is more stress and a time sink too.
Much thanks in advance 🙏 (and doing a bit of cross posting here so I can get help faster)