Mechanics Lien Advisory Services

The Contractor's Shield:
Mechanics Liens

Whether it's $5,000 or $200,000, we have helped thousands of honest and hard-working contractors collect unpaid bills through our Lien Advisory division. Give us the necessary information, and we'll take care of the rest at very competitive rates compared to an attorney!

Call For Lien Help Today 📞 (773) 635-0099
⚠️ GC Deadline: 4 Months ⚠️ Sub Deadline: 90 Days ✓ We Handle Everything ✓ $5K to $200K+
⚠️ Time Is Running Out
GC Deadline 4 Months
Sub Deadline 90 Days
Who Files GCs & Subcontractors
Amount $5K to $200K+
Attorney Needed? Not at This Stage
Cost vs. Attorney Fraction of the Price

Every day you wait. Call us now — don't lose your right to collect.

Call For Lien Help Today 📞 (773) 635-0099
How It Works

The Lien Filing Process

Six steps from unpaid invoice to legal protection — we handle every one of them.

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01
Call Us

Free consult — we review your situation, confirm your deadline, and tell you exactly what we need to move forward.

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02
Share Your Info

Send us the contract, invoices, dates of work, and the property address. We handle everything from here.

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03
Pre-Lien Notice

We send a formal pre-lien notice to the property owner — putting them on notice and building pressure to pay before we escalate.

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04
Record the Lien

We file the verified lien claim with the county recorder — creating a legal encumbrance on the property. Must be filed within 4 months of last day of work.

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05
Serve the Owner

We serve a copy of the recorded lien on the property owner within 10 days — they now face a legal cloud on title they can’t ignore.

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06
Paid or Enforce

Most owners resolve at this stage. If not, you have up to 2 years from completion of work to enforce the lien through foreclosure.

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Defining the Illinois Mechanics Lien

A mechanics lien is a powerful legal tool provided under the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act (770 ILCS 60/). It allows a party who has furnished labor, materials, services, or equipment to a construction project to 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 is not paid for their contribution, 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.

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Parties Entitled to File a Mechanics Lien

The Illinois Mechanics Lien Act provides powerful protections to a wide array of participants who contribute to a property's improvement, ensuring they have legal recourse for payment. The primary eligible parties include:

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General Contractors
With a direct contract with the property owner.
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Subcontractors
Of any tier providing specialized labor or services.
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Material Suppliers
Who provide the physical components for the project.
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Equipment Lessors
Who furnish machinery for the project.
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Key Deadlines — Act Fast

Properly securing your lien rights in Illinois requires strict adherence to statutory deadlines and notice procedures, which differ for general contractors and subcontractors. For subcontractors, a critical first step is serving a "90-Day Notice" upon the property owner, their agent, and the lender. All parties must then record their lien claim within four months of their last day of work. Failing to meet these deadlines can render a lien unenforceable.

4 Months
General Contractors
From the last day of work performed or materials furnished to the property.
90 Days
Subcontractors
Subcontractors and suppliers have only 90 days — even less time. Act immediately.
Don't delay! Recover what you are owed and deserve. General contractors have 4 months to file, while subcontractors have only 90 days.
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Lien Advisory Services — Common Questions
By the way, what is a lien?
A lien helps contractors collect on unpaid invoices, sometimes for very large amounts. The filing of a lien is the very beginning of a legal process, but it often results in the 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 the private property. A few examples include: a general contractor who completes an addition on a house; a subcontractor who provides the cement, flooring, plumbing, electrical or roofing; a landscaper. Keep in mind, these are just a few examples.
How much time do I have to file a lien?
In Illinois, the subcontractor has 90 days to file from the last day of work. The general contractor has 4 months from the last day of work.
Do liens really get contractors paid?
They sure do. For more than a decade, Contractors Network and Training Center has supported hundreds and hundreds of contractors to recover lost income for the fraction of the cost an attorney will 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 sufficient to induce payment from the property owner at the very beginning of an otherwise lengthy process. While we are not legal representatives, we are very effective in what we do and can save you a great deal of money 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.
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Best Practices for Lien Management and Prevention

Proactive management is the best strategy to mitigate risks associated with mechanics liens. The most effective tool for this is the lien waiver. As a general contractor, you should always secure a partial lien waiver from subcontractors and suppliers upon making a partial payment, and a final waiver upon full payment. This provides proof that they have been compensated for their work and waive their right to lien for that amount.

Maintaining clear contracts, meticulous records of all payments, and fostering open communication with all parties can prevent the disputes that lead to liens, safeguarding your projects and your license from potential legal entanglements.

What Our Students Say

Real Reviews from Real Contractors

5.0 stars across 150+ Google reviews

Contractors Deserve to Be Paid. File a Lien.

Understanding the complexities of mechanics liens is a fundamental component of a successful and secure construction business in Illinois. Let us help you recover what you are owed.

Call For Lien Help Today 📞 (773) 635-0099