The first step to secure mechanic's lien rights on a private project may be to serve a preliminary notice. A preliminary notice is not a mechanic’s lien. It's a prerequisite to filing a mechanic's lien and identifies you as a supplier of labor and/or materials to the construction project. Depending on the state in which it's served, a preliminary notice may go by a different name. Download this resource to learn which states require a preliminary notice.
Full vs. Unpaid Balance Lien States Explained
Learn how full price and unpaid balance lien states affect your mechanic's lien rights as a subcontractor or supplier - and how to protect them.
Mechanic's Lien Recovery by State: Full Balance vs. Unpaid Balance
Download this resource to see which states are full pay vs. unpaid balance lien states, and learn why timing your mechanic's lien filing matters.
UCC Priority and Why Your UCC Filing Date is Everything
Learn how UCC's 'first to file or perfect' rule determines UCC Priority - and what a real 2026 court case reveals when two creditors claim the same collateral.