Preliminary notice

The statutory notice that preserves your lien rights, prepared for your state and your position in the chain.

At the start of a job, before anything goes wrong.

Suggested in 34 states; required in 17.

Notice of intent to lien

Tells the people who owe you that the lien is coming — often the step that ends the argument. The statutory notice where your state prescribes one; a demand for payment carrying the same warning everywhere else.

Before you file — often the step that gets you paid without filing.

Available everywhere; required in 12.

Demand for payment

A claim on the debt itself, so it does not depend on a lien or a deadline. Statutory where the state has one on point; a plain, accurate demand everywhere else.

When you are owed and want it paid — including after a lien deadline has gone.

Available everywhere.

Lien release

The instrument that takes a satisfied lien off the record, with the filing office and the wording your state requires.

After you have been paid, to take the lien back off the record.

Available in 45 states.

Funds notice only

One notice, because the statute leaves you one notice. Priced as what it is — an enhanced notice, not a diminished lien.

When the statute leaves you a claim against the money rather than the property — on public work, and for a remote claimant on private work.

Public project / payment bond claim

The notices a payment bond claim runs on, with the lookback and the deadline computed from your own dates.

Public work — no lien attaches, the bond stands in its place.

Lien

Every document your lien requires in your state, in the order they have to be handled, ready to sign, with step-by-step service and filing instructions.

Private property, when you have not been paid.