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What is a Construction Lien Release?

Jodee Redmond
Jodee Redmond

A construction lien release is a document in which a contractor or subcontractor who performed work on a property indicates that he or she has been paid in full for work performed or materials supplied. It releases the interest the contractor has in the owner's property and restores a clear title to the property owner. This document is dated and signed by the contractor before a notary public.

When a contractor or supplier hasn't been paid for his or her work, he or she has the right to put a lien against the property. The construction lien rules apply to subcontractors who are brought in to work on the project by the main contractor. In a situation where the contractor accepts payment and then doesn't pay the subcontractors, the subcontractors can place a construction lien against the property until they have been paid.

The construction lien release indicates that a company has been paid in full for labor or materials supplied to a construction project.
The construction lien release indicates that a company has been paid in full for labor or materials supplied to a construction project.

Rather than have to deal with the steps involved in getting a construction lien release signed after the fact, a property owner is better off ensuring that all contractors and suppliers working on the project have been paid. The owner can request that the main contractor obtain a signed construction lien release from any subcontractors and suppliers before issuing periodic payments for the project.

Many construction projects are undertaken without full payment being made upfront.
Many construction projects are undertaken without full payment being made upfront.

Another strategy that can work when the property owner wishes to avoid having to get a construction lien release is to make all checks payable to the main contractor, as well as the subcontractor or supplier. The check can only be cashed if all the payees endorse it. The main contractor will pay the subcontractors and suppliers, and the property owner is protected from construction liens being filed as a result of nonpayment.

Having a written contract in place gives the contractor, subcontractors and suppliers recourse other than to place a construction lien on the property. If a breach of contract occurs, they can seek recourse through the courts to recover the monies owed to them as opposed to relying on the provisions of the construction lien act in the appropriate jurisdiction. It's a good idea for the property owner to have an attorney either prepare the contract or examine its language to make sure that his or her interests are protected.

Property owners should always make sure that if a construction lien has been filed and the contractor or supplier has been paid in full, a construction lien release form is signed. The construction lien will remain in place until the release documentation has been filed to remove it from the title to the property. Omitting this step means that the property owner doesn't have clear title to his or her own property.

Discussion Comments

vpallaci

In New York a construction lien release could be one of two things.

First, it could be a document that a contractor signs and submits along with an application for payment. A construction lien release in this sense is also known as a lien waiver. Essentially the contractor is telling the person that is paying that upon receipt of payment the contractor waives and releases the right to file a mechanic's or construction lien.

The second is a document that releases or discharges a mechanic's lien that has already been filed. Once the mechanic's (a/k/a construction) lien has been satisfied the contractor files the lien release/satisfaction with the property entity (usually a county clerk) and the lien is discharged.

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    • The construction lien release indicates that a company has been paid in full for labor or materials supplied to a construction project.
      By: Riccardo Arata
      The construction lien release indicates that a company has been paid in full for labor or materials supplied to a construction project.
    • Many construction projects are undertaken without full payment being made upfront.
      By: mavil
      Many construction projects are undertaken without full payment being made upfront.