Tn Pool Install - Mechanic's Lien Filed As Demand For Mediation Ignored

Location: Tennessee

My wife and I had a pool installed last year. For the most part, the install went as planned.

Towards the end, the pool installer had issues with his subs, in that sub would show up for a few hours, not complete their job, and we would never see them again.

For example, a sub would install 100 square feet of patio stone in the morning and not come back. The next sub would remove the already installed stone and start over.

In September of last year yet another sub showed up, installed some patio stones, and didn't complete the job: Piles of debris were left, patio lights were installed with wires not hooked up and left coiled, patio not completed, and installation equipment left lying around the job site.

The day after the sub left, the pool installer emailed us the final invoice without even coming to look at the job.

We sent back pictures showing what needed to be done to complete the pool as per the contract. We heard nothing for a week.

As per the contract, we submitted a written notice of defect with the incomplete issues, and also as per the contract demanded mediation.

We then received a demand letter for the full amount due. We repeated the request for mediation as per the contract. The pool installer said he was willing to settle for 50% of the balance due.

We still demanded mediation and hadn't heard anything for a while. Today we received notice a mechanic's lien has been filed.

The contract specifically states that if the pool installer or the customer disagrees with the notice of defect or the curing of those defects, the next step is mediation followed by arbitration.

How can the pool installer completely ignore our multiple requests for mediation as per the contract? What can be done if they went directly for a mechanic's lien?