Free Preliminary Notice Forms

When a construction project begins, it is important for parties to send preliminary notice. Depending on where your project is located, this may be called a prelim, pre-lien, Notice to Owner (NTO), Notice of Furnishing, or something else. On this page you’ll find free preliminary notice forms for every state and project type.

Benefits of sending preliminary notice

 

Protect your payment

Most states require contractors and suppliers to send preliminary notice in order to protect their right to file a mechanics lien or bond claim. The specter of a mechanics lien is an incredibly powerful motivator to the person controlling the checkbook. Unfortunately, some construction businesses don’t realize how powerful a preliminary notice can be until after they get burned by a customer.

Get paid faster

Even in states or on projects where it’s not required, sending a notice at the beginning of a project is essential to improving payment speed. A preliminary notice ensures that the parties who control payment – the property owner, lender, GC, etc. – know you’re on the project and expect to be paid.

The people managing a construction project generally want to make sure payments flow smoothly, so they can avoid mechanics liens and other claims on the project. Property owners and project managers love to receive preliminary notice from subs and suppliers, because it helps them organize everyone on the job and identify who needs to get paid. In fact, construction parties that send preliminary notice are often at the front of the payment line.

Improve communication

At its core, a preliminary notice a communication tool. It informs others on the project about your company and the work or materials you are providing. It establishes a point of contact for others on the project to communicate with in case there are any schedule changes, pay application problems, etc. Construction projects can get complicated pretty quickly. The bigger a project gets, the harder it can be for those in charge to communicate effectively with everyone.

Be more professional

Sending preliminary notice on every job is a professional move, especially when a construction business uses a standard form and process for communication. It lets your customer know that you value their time and money, and are serious about your own.

Choosing the right preliminary notice form

Preliminary notice requirements vary by state and the type of construction project. Most states require preliminary notice on residential and commercial jobs. Notice may also be required on state and federal construction projects. Find your state on the list below, and choose the form that matches your project type or state requirement.

Choose your state on the interactive US map to view preliminary notice requirements

If your state or project doesn’t require a specific preliminary notice form, you can use any form that suits your needs. The Generic Preliminary Notice Form and Project Awareness Letter are both simple, customizable options that contractors and suppliers can use to improve communication and speed up payment.

You can make this process easier by using a preliminary notice service that tracks notice deadlines, researches project data, and sends notices on your behalf. We’ve reviewed the 10 Best Preliminary Notice Services in the US.

Free Preliminary Notice Forms For Every State & Project

Below are free preliminary notice forms for construction projects across the United States, listed alphabetically by state. These forms were prepared by construction lawyers to meet the statutory requirements in each state, where applicable.