Construction Payment Blog

A mechanics lien is an incredibly effective tool to help contractors get paid. However, while every state has laws granting lien rights to construction companies, they’re not automatic. You have...

Since 2005, Utah has maintained a standardized, state-wide system for filing preliminary notices, notices of commencement and notices of completion — the State Construction Registry, or SCR. The result? Any...

When an account is unpaid and overdue, you do not want to rush into filing a lawsuit. Litigation is an expensive, and oftentimes unnecessary remedy (but, don’t let your claims...

  The Model Disclosure What? That’s what a lot of Washington contractors say when they give my law office a call and ask whether they have lien rights. Sadly, most...

Since launching my first law blog in 2005, and this construction lien blog in 2007, I’ve talked a lot about mechanics lien laws. I’ve never addressed where these laws originated,...

Sending preliminary notice is a key aspect of securing lien rights. Failing to send notice can invalidate a construction party’s right to file a lien. Something of perhaps equal importance is...

When a mechanics lien is filed on a project, a "cloud" is put on the property title. When this cloud is present, it becomes nearly impossible for the property owner...

When unpaid on a private project, a party can file a lien; when unpaid on a state, county or federal project the party can only file a claim against the...

Short Answer:  No.  In a minority of states (like New York), parties can file a mechanic’s lien extension. The majority of states, however, allow no extensions, and the lien will...

If I had a nickle every time a client of mine was afraid to send preliminary notices because they didn’t want to “ruin a relationship” or “put their client on...