Get Pre-Lien Notice to Owner Regarding Potential Mechanic's Lien for Services to be Provided to General Contractor

Mechanics Lien Deadlines Subs and laborers must file a California mechanics lien within 90 days from the completion of the project as a whole. However, if a notice of completion or cessation was filed, the deadline is shortened to 30 days from the date such notice was filed.

When should a California mechanics' lien Claim be filed? Prime contractors must file a California claim of lien within 60 days after a notice of completion or notice of cessation is recorded, or if no recording of completion or cessation is accomplished, within 90 days after the completion of the work of improvement.

California law says the unpaid contractor can place a "mechanic's lien" on your property until you resolve the problem. Unpaid suppliers can file, too.

Contractors, subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers can file what is called a "mechanics lien" on a homeowner's property if they don't get paid. Property owners need to be aware of the process so they can avoid financial and legal pitfalls.

For example, you may face a property lien if: You refuse to pay your contractor for work done on your remodel, and the contractor files a lien on the house for services rendered. Conversely, if the contractor who worked on your project does not pay for materials, a supplier could place a lien on your property.

The filing fee to record your lien will be between $20 - $50.

The contractor must file a lien within a specific number of days (generally 90 days) from the last day he performs work on the property. 3. The lien must be filed in the courthouse of the county where the property is located.

A lien claimant must act quickly to file a lien. If they wait too long, they lose the right to do so. Generally, the deadline to file a lien is 45 days after the project is substantially completed, abandoned or ended.

You cannot file a mechanic's lien against the contractor. But you can sue the contractor, and if you get a judgment, then you can file the judgment as a judgment lien against contractor's real and personal property. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local construction litigation attorney.

Mechanic's liens are legal documents that essentially reserve the rights of the filer to seek unpaid compensation. They are usually filed by contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers that never received payment for work that they performed or materials that they provided on the property.