File the wrong notice, or miss a statutory deadline, and you can lose your lien rights entirely. We make sure the right document is filed the right way, on time, so your claim holds up.
Everything You Need to Secure Your Right to Get Paid.
You don’t need to know which document to file or when. Tell us what happened, we’ll handle the right filings in the right order.
The Lien Filing Process.
Six steps from unpaid invoice to legal protection. We handle every one of them.
Defining the Illinois Mechanics Lien.
A mechanics lien (also called a construction lien or contractor’s lien) is a powerful legal tool provided under the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act (770 ILCS 60/). It lets a party who has furnished labor, materials, services, or equipment to a construction project file a legal claim directly against the property. The purpose of the lien is to provide security for payment.
If the contractor or supplier who files the lien isn’t paid, they can initiate a lawsuit to foreclose on the lien, which could ultimately force the sale of the property to satisfy the debt. This remedy is available to a wide range of project participants and serves as a crucial protection against non-payment by property owners or general contractors.
Parties Entitled to File a Mechanics Lien.
The Act protects a wide array of participants who contribute to a property’s improvement. The primary eligible parties include:
Lien Advisory, Common Questions.
By the way, what is a lien?
A lien helps contractors collect on unpaid invoices, sometimes for very large amounts. Filing a lien is the very beginning of a legal process, but it often results in speedy payment of the bill. These outstanding invoices are for services rendered, or materials supplied, on contracted jobs for improvements made to private property.
Who can file a lien?
Any contractor who improves private property. A few examples: a general contractor who completes an addition on a house; a subcontractor who provides the cement, flooring, plumbing, electrical, or roofing; a landscaper. These are just a few examples.
How much time do I have to file a lien?
In Illinois, a subcontractor has 90 days to file from the last day of work. A general contractor has 4 months from the last day of work. Because the windows are short and strict, it’s best to contact us as soon as a payment problem appears.
Do liens really get contractors paid?
They do. For more than a decade, Contractors Network and Training Center has supported hundreds and hundreds of contractors in recovering lost income, for a fraction of what an attorney would charge. Whether it’s $5,000 or $100,000, we’ve helped handle every possibility.
Do I need an attorney?
At this stage, no. You may wish to seek legal counsel down the road to secure a judgment from a court, but very often filing the lien is enough to induce payment from the property owner at the very beginning of an otherwise lengthy process. While we are not legal representatives, we’re very effective at what we do and can save you a great deal in legal fees.
Contractors Network and Training Center in Chicago does not engage in the practice of law and does not provide advice, explanation, opinion, or recommendations about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, or options. No attorney-client relationship is formed at any time.
Best Practices for Lien Management.
Proactive management is the best strategy. The most effective tool is the lien waiver. As a general contractor, always secure a partial lien waiver from subcontractors and suppliers when you make a partial payment, and a final waiver upon full payment. This proves they’ve been compensated and waive their right to lien for that amount.
Clear contracts, meticulous payment records, and open communication with all parties prevent the disputes that lead to liens, safeguarding your projects and your license. We can help you set this up.