Will Kenton is an expert on the economy and investing laws and regulations. He previously held senior editorial roles at Investopedia and Kapitall Wire and holds a MA in Economics from The New School for Social Research and Doctor of Philosophy in English literature from NYU.
Updated February 28, 2021A construction lien is a claim made against a property by a contractor or subcontractor who has not been paid for work done on that property. Construction liens are designed to protect professionals from the risk of not being paid for services rendered.
A construction lien makes it difficult or impossible to sell or refinance a property because it makes its title unclear. In a worst-case scenario, it can force a sale of the house to provide the compensation.
The laws regarding construction liens vary from state to state. In some laws, it may be referred to as a mechanic's lien.
If a property owner is dissatisfied with the work done by a contractor or other professional, simply not paying the bill does not resolve the issue. If the contractor has used subcontractors and has not paid them, the homeowner could be on the hook for the payment, and a lien could be used to ensure payment is made.
A property owner who is dissatisfied should discuss the quality of the work with the contractor and seek an agreement to rectify any issues.
A successful resolution concludes with a so-called release of lien, which is a document canceling the lien.
Although state laws vary, a construction lien can usually be filed only if there is a written contract describing the nature of the work to be done, the materials to be used, and the agreed price for the work. Some states have different laws for liens against residential and commercial properties.
New York State law, for example, allows construction liens to be filed by contractors, subcontractors, and others who perform labor or furnish material to improve real property. A lien may be filed at any point while construction work is underway or up to eight months after the completion of the project. A copy of the lien must be sent to the owner of the property in question. This copy must be sent up to five days before the notice of lien is filed or up to 30 days afterwards.
Once put into effect, the lien is in place for up to one year under New York law.
The law is different in New Jersey. There, a construction lien on a commercial project must be filed with a county clerk within 90 days of the last day services or materials were provided. Filing a construction lien on residential projects requires filing a Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien within 90 days of the last day of service. The homeowner must also get a copy of that notice within 10 days of its filing. The next step for a residential property facing a construction lien would be an arbitration hearing.
If you're having remodeling work done, make sure it's on a professional business footing from the start:
If you're entering into a costly remodeling effort, it's a good idea to consult an attorney about your state's laws regarding payment for services.