How Construction Liens Work (and How to Prevent Them)
Construction is a tough business. It takes a strong work ethic, great problem-solving skills, and a dedication to customer service to survive. Ask most contractors about it, and they’ll tell...
Lien Releases
This is the main page for Levelset articles about lien releases. A lien release is exactly what it sounds like – it’s a document that cancels a mechanics lien on a property.
Because a lien release usually means payday is fast approaching, you may think that filing one is always good news. On the contrary, lien releases are often tricky and sometimes dangerous to file. Contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers may be asked to file a lien release in exchange for payment or promise of payment. Naturally, the paying party wants the release to be filed before payment is made, and lien claimants want payment before they release the lien. This makes the process delicate because no one wants to forfeit their leverage.
If you need help with lien releases, you can browse the articles below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here on the blog, you can check out the Expert Center. On the Expert Center, contractors ask questions and construction attorneys respond to them. Browse the questions that already have answers or ask your own question, free of charge.
Most Recent Posts on Lien Releases
Read more
How to Release a Florida Construction Lien
Filing a mechanics lien means you taken the proper steps to ensure that you get paid. But liens don’t last forever. And in many cases, a lien will be paid...
Lien Release Deadlines & Penalties in All 50 States
If you’ve filed a mechanics lien, and eventually get paid before the enforcement deadline, congratulations! Now that you’ve got your money in hand, you’re ready to move on to the...
Do you Have to Cancel a Mechanics Lien, or Will It Expire?
First things first: there is no such thing as a mechanics lien that remains valid indefinitely. This means that mechanics liens expire according to a specific, set timetable in every...
Can I Re-File a Mechanics Lien After I Remove the Lien?
Mechanics liens are an incredibly powerful way to ensure you get paid on a construction project. Once filed, the owner and/or general contractor will try to resolve the payment dispute...
How To Sell Property With a Mechanics Lien
Editor’s note: We usually don’t write much about the property owner or developer’s perspective on mechanics liens, because our blog targets mechanics lien compliance issues confronted by credit managers, controllers...
How To Cancel a Washington Lien
Every state has strict regulations about how a construction lien may be filed (Here’s Washington’s Mechanics Lien Rules). Oftentimes, however, the cancellation of a construction lien (also called a Lien...
Do Mechanics Liens Affect the Property Title Forever?
When a mechanics lien is filed on a project, a "cloud" is put on the property title. When this cloud is present, it becomes nearly impossible for the property owner...
Lien Waiver vs. Lien Release: What’s the Difference?
Lien waivers and lien releases are completely different documents (even though they are often confused by the construction industry). Read this post to learn when and how to use each...
How To Release A Texas Mechanics Lien
This article examines how to release a Texas mechanics lien, whether you filed the lien yourself, or want to remove someone else's Texas mechanics lien.