Mechanic's lien

A mechanic's lien is a legal claim filed against a property by a contractor, subcontractor, materials supplier, or other party who provided labor or materials to improve the property and wasn't paid. The lien attaches to the property title; the property cannot be sold or refinanced cleanly until the lien is satisfied.

Mechanic's liens are powerful collection tools because they can force payment that might otherwise be uncollectable. A property owner facing a recorded lien typically pays — directly to the contractor or through escrow at a property sale — to clear the title.

But mechanic's liens are governed by strict requirements that vary significantly by state: preliminary notice requirements (some states require notice within 20 days of starting work), maximum time from last work to lien filing (typically 60-180 days), specific filing requirements at the county recorder, and lawsuit-to-foreclose deadlines (typically 90-180 days after filing). Missing any procedural step invalidates the lien.

For service operators, mechanic's liens are most relevant for large projects (residential remodels, commercial work, install/replacement work) rather than routine service calls. Implementation requires either familiarity with state-specific lien law or working with an attorney for proper preliminary notices and lien filings. Some operators use lien services that handle the procedural work for a fee. The lien threat is sometimes more powerful than actual filing — clear payment terms and prompt lien notices often resolve payment disputes before formal lien filing becomes necessary.