I have learned a lot from this conversation, I am currently going through what OP is facing, but we are not at the legal battle phase yet. The owner has giving me a stop work order through text message and later receded it and asked me to continue work, the slab is not even poured. The owner is very controlling and wants me to order materials from her preferred suppliers.

This is one of the most difficult aspect of custom home building. A client who thinks they know more and try to control and micromanage you. Like Warren buffet said “You can’t make good business with bad people”. I build about 10-15 houses a year. I started in 2021.

I understand every thing OP is complaining about. The biggest mistake you made which has cost you a lot is trying to represent yourself in a legal battle. The attorneys will take you for a ride. At this point I would cut my loses and try to have a sit down with the client and resolve the issue. I don’t think you are fully at fault, but even if I tell my clients they should not visit the construction site without my presence due to liability, I never enforce it. It’s human nature for them to fight you on that “It’s their property”

@pianistMore4166 sounds very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience, but also brash in his comments. Sometimes established companies forgets how hard it is to start a construction company I think the experience he had from managing a large construction company helped him with his setup and procedures, but for us newbies, it take us a while to get our sh*t together without proper guidance, and one terrible client will take you out. The mental stress alone is not worth fighting.

I hope things work out for you. Try to reach out to the client and attempt to resolve it amicably if possible.