How to Fill Out a Texas Mechanics Lien Form (And Get It Right)
Key Takeaways When you fill out a Texas mechanics lien form, one mistake can void your entire claim. Texas lien law changed significantly under HB 2237 and SB 929, effective January 1, 2022. Miss a deadline or skip a required field and the county clerk will reject your filing. Get it right and you have […]
Types of Property Liens in Texas: A Contractor Guide
Key Takeaways Texas recognizes multiple lien types that can affect property ownership and construction payments. Mechanic’s liens protect contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who aren’t paid for construction work Property tax liens attach automatically on January 1 each year and take priority over most other liens Voluntary liens (like mortgages) require consent, while involuntary liens (like […]
Can You File a Lien Without a Pre-Lien Notice in Texas?
Texas lien laws require most contractors to send a pre-lien notice before filing a mechanic’s lien, but the rules depend on your role in the project. If you’re not the general contractor, treat pre-lien notices as non-negotiable. One missed deadline could cost you thousands. Texas has some of the strictest construction lien laws in the […]
Can a contractor put a lien on my house?
Yes, a contractor can put a lien on your house in Texas, but the law places strict limits on when and how this can happen. Know your rights: Many liens filed against Texas homes are invalid because contractors fail to follow the required legal steps. The short answer to whether a contractor can put a […]
Do I Need a Mechanic’s Lien Release Form?
A lien release removes a previously filed lien from a property after you’ve been paid. Here’s what you need to know: Always verify payment has cleared before signing the release to protect yourself. You’ve probably already filed a mechanic’s lien against a property because your invoices weren’t getting paid. The good news? Texas construction law […]
What Do You Need to Know About Construction Lien Waivers?
Before a contractor or supplier ever files a lien in Texas, there’s usually a key step in the payment process that comes first: signing a lien waiver. In construction projects, these documents help to protect everyone involved from the property owner to the general contractor to the subcontractors and suppliers doing the work. However, not […]
Can a Contractor File a Lien Without a Contract?
The mechanic’s lien process in Texas is known for being one of the most complex in the country. With strict deadlines, detailed notice rules, and paperwork that must be filed just right, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. And to make things trickier, many parts of Texas lien law come with confusing exceptions, especially when it […]
What Happens If a Contractor Doesn’t Pay a Subcontractor? Your Options
In the construction industry, it’s fairly common for subcontractors to face delays in receiving payment, even after the work has been completed. Maybe the general contractor is waiting on funds from the project owner, or maybe there’s a disagreement over the scope of the subcontractor’s work. Sometimes, unfortunately, the contractor simply refuses payment without a […]
What are bond claims in construction?
When working on a construction project, getting paid for completed work is a top priority. However, in Texas, contractors and material suppliers on public works projects cannot place a mechanic’s lien on government-owned property to recover unpaid invoices. Instead, they must pursue a lien bond claim, which provides an alternative legal pathway for securing payment. […]
How Long Does It Take to Get a Mechanic’s Lien?
How Long Does a Contractor Have to File a Mechanic’s Lien? There are two ways to look at the question of how long it takes to file construction liens or mechanic’s liens. How long past the payment date do you need to wait to file a mechanic lien? How much of your valuable time will […]