Taking Steps to Assure Proper Payment
As a construction professional, you made an investment in labor and materials. You did the work as specified. Why haven't you been paid? More to the point: How can you get paid? You may need the leverage offered by a mechanic's lien or a stop notice.
As an owner, you have just been notified that your property has been liened. What are your options? How do you protect yourself from ensuring that the monies you paid to the general contractor flow through to the proper subcontractors and suppliers? If you don't protect yourself properly, you may be required to pay twice for the same work.
Mechanic's Liens ∙ Stop Notices ∙ Contact Us ∙ 1-866-766-1413
As attorneys who have worked in and for the construction industry, we understand the legal processes for obtaining payment though mechanic's liens and stop notices from both sides of the dispute.
On the construction side, at the Herrig & Vogt law firm with offices in California and Washington, we understand your need to be paid for the work you have performed.
- Mechanic's lien: If you are a contractor, subcontractor, supplier or design professional who is owed money, a mechanic's lien can pressure the property owner to pressure the general contractor to pay you. Until the lien is satisfied, the property title is clouded and could prevent refinancing or sale of the property.
- Stop notice: If your construction business is owed money by a general contractor on a public project, a stop notice orders the public entity to withhold progress payments from the general contractor until your claim is recognized and paid. A stop notice can also be used in private construction projects in specific lending situations.
The construction lawyers at Herrig & Vogt take great pride in serving the people who build America. We know how important it is to your business to be paid promptly and fully for your labor and materials.
On the owners side, at the Herrig & Vogt law firm with California offices in the Sacramento area, San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles and Washington offices in Kennewick and Redmond, we also understand that an owner should not be forced into paying more than the value of work that you agreed to and received. We will show you how to protect yourself and limit potential liability by requiring certain documents as a condition to every payment you make:
- Conditional release upon progress payment
- Unconditional release upon progress payment
- Conditional release upon final payment
- Unconditional release upon final payment
We can also assist you, as the owner, by quickly clearing title to your property to facilitate a refinance or sale through acquiring a release bond.
If you have any issue related to a mechanic's lien or stop notice, contact a construction law attorney at Herrig & Vogt.
