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Construction Payment and Lien Law Learning Center

Payment help is here for you at Levelset. Our resources are all written, edited, curated, or managed by construction payment experts, including construction attorneys, collections, and finance professionals. Levelset’s resources information is free to you, and will always be free, because we’re passionate about empowering you to always get what you’ve earned. On this page, you can find information on construction payment topics, download free forms, learn how to file a lien, search contractors, and more.

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Resources by State

Choose the state of interest and explore the resources that relate to that state.

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How to file a mechanics lien in each state

Need to file a mechanics lien? File your mechanics lien with Levelset, the lien experts quickly and easily. Or you can follow the 3 steps below to file a lien yourself with Levelset's free information.
Step 1: Read a How to File a Lien Guide
See all step-by-step walkthroughs
Step 2: Download your Mechanics Lien Form
See all Mechanics Lien Forms by State
Step 3: Find your county Recorder's Office
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How do contractors you work with pay?

Find a contractor in the Levelset database and learn more about how to work with them and how they pay. Easily find a contractor to work with and see who are the best contractors near you.
 
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Need help sending a document or not sure what document to send?

Getting paid and sending documents is easy with Levelset. Send a notice, pay application, or exchange waivers easy and for free. If you don’t know what document to send to get paid, answer 5 easy questions and we’ll show you your options.
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Need help getting paid on a construction job?

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Let's talk about the project

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What did you contribute to the job? (select all that apply)
When did you work on the project?

If you don't know these dates, give your best estimate. Since these dates determine your notice and lien deadlines, it's important to be as accurate as possible.

Did you fulfill this project's notice requirements?

Did you send a {document type} to the {contractor role}
and general contractor by {deadline date}?

Did you send monthly notices for this project?

In Texas, subcontractors and suppliers are required to send a notice for each month that work is performed and unpaid. Based on your project type and role, your job has the following notice requirements. Did you fulfill this notice requirement?

What is my job's monthly notice requirement?

For subcontractors on residential proejcts, notice is required to be sent to the owner and prime contractor by the 15th day of the 2nd month following each month that work was performed and unpaid.

What is my job's monthly notice requirement?

For subcontractors on non-residential projects, notice is required to be sent by the 15th day of the 3rd month following each month work was performed and unpaid.

What is my job's monthly notice requirement?

For sub-subcontractors, notice is required to be sent on both the 15th day of the 2nd month, and the 15th day of the 3rd month following each month in which work was performed and unpaid.

What is my job's monthly notice requirement?

For suppliers on residential projects, notice is required to be sent to the owner and prime contractor by the 15th day of the 2nd month following each month that work was performed and unpaid.

What is my job's monthly notice requirement?

For suppliers on non-residential projects, notice is required to be sent both the 15th day of the 2nd month, and the 15th day of the 3rd month following each month in which work was performed and unpaid. (The 2nd month notice has to be sent only to the prime contractor.)

Lien Deadline Calculaor
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Lien Deadline Calculaor Paid
Your custom recommendation is based on your project information:

Your company is a {contractor role} hired by the {hiring role} on a {project type} project at {project address}

You did not send a {document type} before {deadline date}. Need to send a preliminary notice by {deadline date}.

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Recent questions and answers asked by contractors
what do I do after I get paid

After the person pays me, how do I remove the lien

Question what do we need from contractor in paperwork for final work completed

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Hello I was a subcontractor to contract some construction work on a new home and the contractor has not paid me and I have tried...

How can I file a lien on municipal property

Can I file a lien on a municipal property after 18 months off the job?, and if so what if the original g.c. filed for...

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Most popular construction payment articles and guides

The Ultimate Guide to Lien Waivers in Construction (Meaning & Examples)
What is a contractor lien waiver? Learn everything you need to know, including best practices that could save your construction business from mistakes.
Scott Wolfe Jr
CEO
70 questions answered
2019 National Construction Payments Report
The 2019 National Construction Payments Report shows how slow payment and cash flow hurts the construction industry and what contractors think and see.
Scott Wolfe Jr
CEO
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What Is a Construction Schedule of Values? [Free Template Download]
A Schedule of Values is an essential tool to manage any construction company's bottom line. Article includes a free template download and other important information.
Nate Budde
Chief Legal Officer
907 questions answered
The Ultimate Guide to Retainage in the Construction Industry
Learn how retainage works on different types of projects and in different states, links to a state-by-state overview of retainages rules and requirements.
Matt Viator
Senior Legal Associate
3118 questions answered
How to File a Mechanics Lien – Step by Step Guide For Any State
Learn how to file a mechanics lien for any state using this step-by-step guide. Links to free mechanics lien forms and additional resources included.
Scott Wolfe Jr
CEO
70 questions answered
Construction Contracts | A Deep Dive on Breach of Contract
This article is a deep dive on breach of contract in construction and covers the main causes of a breach, remedies, how to claim a breach, how to respond to a breach, and much more.
Matt Viator
Senior Legal Associate
3118 questions answered

Top Videos

Prefer to watch construction payment articles? See the two most popular construction payment videos or see our full video library.
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All Construction Payment Topics

Back Charges Bankruptcy Bond Claims Certified Payroll Change Orders Collections Construction Accounting Construction Contract Construction Trust Fund Contractor Termination Credit Management Credit Policy Demand Letters
Dispute Resolution Joint Checks Legal Alerts Licensing Lien Releases Lien Waivers Mechanics Lien Miller Act No Lien Clauses Notice of Commencement Notice of Completion Notice of Intent to Lien Pay Applications
Pay When Paid Payment Bond Performance Bond Preliminary Notice Prevailing Wages Prompt Payment Request for Information Retainage Schedule of Values Stop Notice Substantial Completion Viewpoints