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Why Preliminary Notices and Liens Are a Contractor’s Best Friend

Published: January 07, 2021
Last updated: November 04, 2022
Read time: 3 minutes

 

For contractors, preliminary notices are the equivalent of taking out an insurance policy on each project.  They’re there if you need it, and irrelevant if you don’t. But for some reason, there’s a negative stigma around sending preliminary notices, and more specifically, liens in general. This is likely due to the false idea that sending notices to clients can cause tension, but we’re here to tell you that this misconception is a big mistake. Preliminary notices aren’t about being confrontational or difficult; they’re about protecting your business and following the rules.

If you’re nervous about issuing a preliminary notice, consider the fact that any reputable general contractor, and developer or property owner for that matter, are expecting you to send one. They’re used to receiving notices on behalf of subcontractors, suppliers, and anyone associated with the project. This is standard practice and no experienced general contractor will balk at it.  Additionally, most correctly view it as a crucial component for maintaining transparency, efficiency and integrity in any commercial project.

1. Promotes Better Communication 

Communication across a project is key, particularly within the complex environments that many contractors operate in. Requirements, expectations, and specifications must be crystal-clear at every stage of the project, from pre-construction all the way through payments. One part of this communication is sending pre-liens, as they notify the GC or property owner of the work you’re performing on the project. This is useful to both the property owner and general contractor, because neither want to end up in a situation where you’re not paid and the project gets liened. 

Not only do preliminary notices provide an auditable paper trail, increasing the effectiveness of your communication and compliance efforts, they also demonstrate your diligence and understanding of your business. This, in turn, earns you greater confidence and trust from clients and business partners in the long run. 

2. Helps You Get Paid Faster 

Bottom line— preliminary notices don’t just help you communicate better, they help you get paid faster. 

In the construction industry, getting paid can be a long, stressful process with many invoices taking over 90 days to settle. Preliminary notices allow you to raise your hand and let the appropriate parties know that your team is on the job, and that you’re making sure not to forfeit your lien rights. This in turn incentivizes them to settle payments and avoid liens being filed. Getting paid more quickly makes it easy to purchase materials for your next job

3. Mitigates Risk on the Project

By sending a notice, you’ll mitigate the risk of spending money on the work, but not being able to pay your suppliers and installation crew. Even on seemingly reliable projects, payment problems can come out of nowhere, leaving you in a challenging cash position. When this happens, claiming your right to compensation is important, but nearly impossible without having first sent a preliminary notice. Failing to issue preliminary notices on a consistent basis is risky, not just for you, but for everyone who puts their faith in your ability to get them paid.

Even if you don’t think you’ll need to file a lien, preliminary notices leave the option open. If you fail to send a prelim, you’re essentially forfeiting the right to file a lien if needed, leaving the financial stability of your business up to chance. 

Protect Yourself and Your Business 

It’s important to remember that a preliminary notice is not a lien, it’s a notice. Preliminary notices are beneficial for everyone involved on a project, providing clearer communication, higher credibility, and better payment assurances for all parties. Most importantly, preliminary notices are a crucial part of protecting yourself and your business.

Whether or not your state requires a preliminary notice, contractors should never hesitate to harness the benefits of sending a pre-lien, nor should they be concerned if Billd has to send a preliminary notice/file a lien with the GC when they work with us. By protecting both your business and your bottom line, preliminary notices can be a contractor’s best friend. 

About Billd: At Billd, we provide a payment solution that enables commercial construction contractors to free up cash for material purchases while enjoying the flexibility of 120-day payment terms. You get financing for commercial materials upfront with the freedom to pay it back at your own pace. Learn more about how we can help eliminate your company’s cash-flow problems so you can win more bids and grow your business.

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FAQs

Mechanic's liens are legal claims that allow contractors and material suppliers to protect their interest on construction projects to the extent that they haven't been paid. Laws governing mechanic's liens vary by state.

Filing preliminary notices and holding lien rights greatly improves your chances of getting paid on-time and in full, as they allow you to remind appropriate parties that your team is on the job and has a right to be paid for the work you do.

Filing preliminary notices (or "prelims") promotes better communication, helps you get paid faster, and mitigates your risk on a project. Additionally, many states require prelims to be filed in order to maintain lien rights. Deadlines to file vary by state.

Yes. Filing a mechanic's lien should be common practice on construction projects, as it establishes a contractor's legal claim to payment for their work, and protects them from financial fallout.

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