On many projects, mechanics lien claims are substantially limited or destroyed because the owner did not know the claimant was working on the Project.\u00a0 In most states, pre-lien notices are required in order to file a lien claim, and waiting to provide the notice can limit lien rights.<\/p>\n
Providing a notice that work is being performed or materials are being delivered is, in many\u00a0States, required either by statute or by contract. While this may seem like just another paperwork headache, it is a vital part of the construction process that should not be overlooked.<\/p>\n
Many notices are not given simply due to inadvertence or not\u00a0knowing the statutory or contractual requirements.\u00a0But notices are also kept back for another reason:\u00a0many contractors and suppliers\u00a0think that providing a notice will create animosity\u00a0on the project.<\/p>\n
On a normal project, nothing could be further from the truth.\u00a0 Pre-lien notices, which are usually provided at the beginning of a project, are simply informational.\u00a0 The notices let the owner and the general contractor know who is working on the project so that everyone knows everyone.\u00a0 Think of notices as sort of an introduction…an introduction that protects you when payment is not made.<\/p>\n