In California, generally all parties must provide a preliminary notice in order to retain the right to file an enforceable mechanics lien. For parties who contract directly with the property owner, the preliminary notice is only required to be provided to the construction lender, if any.

In California, a mechanics lien amount is limited to the reasonable value of the work provided by the claimant, or the price agreed to by the claimant and the person who contracted for the work (less payments already received), whichever is less.

Liens can be challenged for any number of reasons – and there are a lot of nuances that must be complied with in order for a lien to be valid and enforceable. California allows a property owner to petition the court to release the property from a claim of lien, and in the event that the lien is improper there may be a cause of action for slander of title through which damages may be recoverable.

Good morning! You wouldn’t have necessarily received the preliminary notice (I am assuming you are a glazing or related subcontractor) as the notice typically goes to the property owner, direct contactor, and lender (if any). Yes, if the lien is overstated, you should send a written notice (or have an attorney do it for you to grab their attenton) to clarify the overstatement and warn of the subsequent actions you may take if necessary to resolve the overstated mechanics lien claim.

An intentionally overstated lien may be rendered moot. That said, if you owe 77K to the vendor, why not pay that and fight over the difference?