Fundamentals · Lesson 4 · 7 min
Construction Liens
How mechanic's liens specifically operate across the commercial construction tier — owner, GC, subs, and suppliers.
Overview
'Construction lien' is the umbrella term for mechanic's-style liens arising on commercial and residential construction projects.
Each tier on a project — owner, GC, subs, sub-subs, suppliers — has different notice and timing obligations.
Public projects are usually not lienable; bond claims replace lien rights.
Key Concepts
- • Tier structure on a typical project
- • Private vs. public works (and bond claim alternatives)
- • Joint check agreements
- • Lien waivers — conditional vs. unconditional, partial vs. final
Common Mistakes
- • Signing unconditional final lien waivers before payment actually clears.
- • Filing a lien on a public project where only a bond claim is available.
- • Not tracking which tier the claimant sits in — it changes notice obligations.
Practical Examples
Waiver discipline
A subcontractor signs an unconditional final waiver to release a progress payment. The check bounces. The waiver still discharges the lien rights — the sub is now unsecured.
Downloadable Resources
Download Lesson PDF
Educational use only. Not legal advice. Lien rules vary by state — consult licensed counsel.