(a) If a contractor, subcontractor, supplier or design professional files suit against a property owner upon whose property they provided goods or services, this article is not applicable, and a claimant alleging a construction defect may counterclaim or file an independent action, as appropriate.

(b) Nothing in this article precludes a contractor, subcontractor, supplier or design professional from perfecting a lien in accordance with the provisions of article two, chapter thirty-eight of this code.