We are venturing out and will be doing business in Canada & Mexico. What are their Mechanic Lien Laws? Are preliminary notices required?
Canada has laws to provide mechanics lien type protection to parties who provide labor or materials to construction projects. However, like the state-by-state differences in the United States, the requirements for protection in Canada vary by province. This means that there are different timelines, and different documents, necessary to claim a builder's lien depending on where the project is located. Specific preliminary notices are not general requirements in order to file a lien in Canada, but letting parties on theproject know that you're doing work, or that there may be a payment dispute, is always a good idea.
Mechanics liens are not an established part of Mexican law. There are other security measures to help ensure that a construction paritcipant is paid, but an automatic interest in the improved property is not one. A bond (or other security) may be obtained in order, and it is important to review the solvency of the parties to the project.