You can never consume enough as everyday is a learning experience. 

Building out a web site (or any piece of technology) is time consuming and labor intensive so you end up "getting what you pay for" when you try to do things on the cheap.

I don’t know if I even have a strong case because how the water was consumed is still a mystery.

Many contractors get bigger discounts than the typical consumer at the supply stores.

It's so easy to be a consumer.

Visiting properties is time consuming and not scalable as you holdings grow,  PM me we can chat further about the details of your situation. 

I will not venture into Central Valley as the time distance to take care them is too time consuming.....

I would like every aspect of the model completely ironed out before investing money from family & friends. 

All the lien releases I have seen have a section to write in any disputed or outstanding payment amounts.Not, every state works the same, but should have a similar process available to consumers and contractors to have mutual protection from the other.  

@Assaf Furman based on how you are describing this scenario is sounds like this incident should be reported to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.