In the mechanics lien process, a lien release is a document filed with the Property Records Office which requests to remove a lien previously filed in a property. The lien release states the claim filed has been paid and releases any rights to file a new lien for the amount paid.

To prepare a bond claim, you will need the general information of the project and your contract. Below is a list of some of the necessary information: • Project Information: Owner, name of project, common address (or legal property description); • Contract: Name (or company name) and mailing address of the General (Prime) Contractor, amount, retainage amount and type of agreement; • Bonding company (surety): Name, address and bond number; • Work: Invoices, description of the unpaid work performed and the amount owed per each individual month.

A “Commercial (Public Works)” and/or “Public works project” is any project where the ultimate owner of the construction project is a governmental agency such as the federal, state or city government. Common examples of public projects are construction projects that include: • Sewers • Road & bridge construction • Government buildings • Schools • Universities • Government property • Public parks • Utility work (if publicly owned) • Bus stations

A bond can be considered as a promise made by a surety (insurance) to fulfill the obligation of payment according to the terms of a contract. Since liens are not allowed on publicly owned property. To protect contractors, the law provides for subcontractors, sub-subcontractors and suppliers to file claim against a bond furnished by the general contractor.

If you missed the deadline to send a notice or file a lien claim for one specific month and you are still owed for more months after that, you may still qualify to file a lien claim. The deadline chart above will assist in guiding you through each month’s deadlines.