We are a subcontractor on a private project and have completed our work long ago but other work continues. If the owners do not file a Notice of Completion, how do we know when the project is actually complete?
When no notice of completion is filed, it can be difficult to determine when a project is complete. The best practice is to make contact with a party still performing work on the project or perhaps to make contact with one of the city inspectors on the project to inquire regarding the status. The bottom line is that if you are owed money, you should not sit on your rights and wait to file a lien, give stop payment notice, and/or make a payment bond claim (if available). Act sooner rather than later to ensure that the deadlines do not pass. Especially with respect to a stop payment notice, it is more likely to be effective while the project is ongoing.
If you require legal assistance, email me at ryan@huntortmann.com to schedule a free consultation.