How to File a Mechanics Lien

If you are reading this, someone probably owes you money. You did the work, delivered the materials, maybe even chased them down a few times. Still nothing. To protect yourself legally, you can learn how to file a mechanics lien. It is how contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers get what they are owed when they are not compensated for the completed work.

In this blog, you will learn what a mechanics lien, how it compares to other types of liens, and most importantly.

What Is a Mechanics' Lien?

A mechanics lien is your financial backup plan. It is a legal claim you file against a property for unpaid work or materials. While a lien significantly hinders these actions and makes them practically impossible without addressing the lien, it doesn't always impose an absolute legal prohibition on these actions immediately upon filing.

A buyer or lender might still proceed, but the lien would remain on the property, making it a very undesirable prospect. The practical effect is indeed that they cannot do much until it's paid.

Understanding the differences between a mechanic's lien vs. other types of liens is crucial for contractors and suppliers. Make sure you follow the specific procedures and deadlines to protect your lien rights.

Whether you are a drywall installer, roofer, plumber, electrician, framer, or the person who supplied the materials. If you helped improve a property and didn’t get paid, this is for you.

Mechanic’s Lien vs. Other Types of Liens

• Mortgage lien: Voluntary: The bank loans the money; the homeowner agrees to pay it back.

• Tax lien: The Government takes legal action when you ignore the IRS or CRA.

• Judgment lien: You lose in court, and someone gets a claim against your property.

• Mechanics lien: You do the work. They don’t pay. You file a lien.

It is a tool built specifically for people like you who improve property value, but are ignored when it comes time to pay. Contractors who know how to file a mechanic's lien can better protect their interests.

Why You Should File

The sooner you act, the better your chances of getting paid. A lien forces them to deal with it. It ties up their property legally, and guess what? Owners hate that. Which means you suddenly become their top priority. You are not being dramatic. You are protecting yourself.

Who Can File a Mechanics Lien?

Most of us are in the trades. Here is the list:

• General contractors

• Subcontractors

• Material suppliers

• Equipment rental companies

• Engineers and architects (depending on the state)

• Laborers

If you did the job, built it, repaired it, or supplied it, you probably have lien rights. But here is the catch: those rights come with rules. You miss one deadline or skip a notice, and you are out.

Steps to File a Mechanics' Lien in the United States

Here is how to file a mechanics lien when the client finds excuses not to pay you:

1. Know Your State’s Deadlines

Lien laws are not universal. Some states require a preliminary notice for actionable steps. Others give you 90 days to file after you finish the job. Look up your state laws or hire a pro services. Do not assume. The rules are strict, and there’s no second chance.

2. Send a Preliminary Notice

In places like California, Texas, and Arizona, you have to send the owner a heads-up notice early in the project. It is not a threat. It is a notice that preserves your lien rights. If you did not send it and your state requires it, you are probably out of luck. A mechanic's lien vs. other types of liens, such as tax liens or judgment liens, has distinct requirements and procedures in various countries.

3. Collect Every Detail You’ll Need

Before you file anything, gather this:

• Owner’s name

• Exact property address (legal description if possible)

• The amount you are owed

• Dates of work/material delivery

• Description of the work or goods

• Your info and license (if your state requires licensing)

Keep it all. Save those texts, emails, timesheets, and delivery receipts. If you need to go to court, that pile of proof can support your case in court.

4. Fill Out the Lien Form

Go online, get your state’s mechanics lien form or use a lien service if you are short on time. Fill it out carefully. A small mistake in address, date, or documentation can invalidate your lien.

5. File the Lien with the County Recorder

File the lien in the county where the property is located. Not where you live or your job site is. Each county recorder has its own process. Some let you file online, others want you to walk it in or mail it with a check. Be prepared to pay a filing fee. And yes, it is worth every penny.

6. Send a Copy to the Owner

After you file, you are not done. Most states require you to send a copy of the filed lien to the property owner. Do it via certified mail, return receipt requested. It is proof you did it. Some states say within 10 days. Others might give you 30. Do not miss it, or your lien could be rejected.

7. File a Lawsuit (If Needed)

A lien won’t magically send you a cheque in the mail. If the owner still does not pay, you have to enforce the lien. That means suing to foreclose on the property. You will have a deadline, usually 90 days to 1 year after the lien was filed, to start legal action. After that? Your lien expires. Hence, act fast if the check doesn’t show up.

5 Critical Missteps to Steer Clear Of:

1. They wait too long. Miss a deadline, and you are legally out of options.

2. They didn’t send the required notices. No notice means no lien rights.

3. They filed in the wrong county. This happens more than you think.

4. They padded the numbers. You cannot claim more than you are owed.

5. They did not track the details. Poor recordkeeping is why contractors lose lawsuits.

If They Don’t Pay, Don’t Wait. File the linen

You are not being unreasonable. You are standing up for your business, your crew, and your right to get paid for honest work. If someone hires you, you deliver, and they ghost you. File the lien. Protect yourself. And let the law work for you. Because in this scenario, the ones who document everything, follow the rules, and file on time? They get paid.

Protect Your Pay the Smart Way — Powered by The Credit App

At the end of the day, you should not have to beg, chase, or fight to get paid for work you already did. Filing a mechanics lien isn’t just legal muscle, it is your right. Knowing how to file a mechanic's lien is a valuable skill for construction professionals. But keeping up with deadlines, notices, and property records? That’s where things get stuck and where most hardworking contractors slip.

The Credit App was built to make sure you don’t miss a step or lose your lien rights. From tracking who owes you and how long it’s been, to flagging lien deadlines, sending preliminary notices. It helps you track who owes you, how long it's been, flags lien deadlines, sends preliminary notices, and even assists with filing, all in just a few taps.

The Credit App puts lien rights and payment protection on autopilot. No more sticky notes or spreadsheets. Because in this business, it is not just about working hard. It is about getting paid on time, every time.