Preliminary Lien

If you’re beginning a new construction project in Valley of the Sun, then you could have “send an Arizona 20-day preliminary notice” jotted down on your schedule Even though it’s scheduled, you might not fully understand what it means, and that’s why Dar-Liens wanted to clear up confusion concerning the preliminary notice.

Some may believe you are required to send the 20-day preliminary notice after their construction project concludes. Nevertheless, the requirement is inside of 20 days of their project starting.

Preliminary Notices

Bear in mind that you may hear a preliminary notice also called a “prelien,” “prelim,” or “preliminary lien notice.” Despite what you hear, they all give reference to official paperwork sent at the start of a construction project.

Why are preliminary notices so vital? They decrease risk, helping to guarantee you get paid for the work you finish. When sending a prelim, you safeguard your right to file a mechanics lien, should your client not pay. In addition, when sending a prelim, you’re adhering to the law. And, when you don’t send a preliminary notice, you are not going to be able to record a mechanics lien if you don’t get paid.

Generally, a contractor sends a prelim to the property’s owner, general contractor, and construction lender. Typically, this notice is sent through certified mail to everyone involved.

Though this explanation is straightforward, the steps are involved and differ by state, such that Dar-Liens clients rely on our employees to lend them a hand.

Your Arizona Pre Lien

Arizona varies from the general rule, though, in a few ways. Remember the following when sending your prelien and engaged in your project:

You are required to send the notice as first-class mail – including a certificate of mailing.
All contractors are required to mail a prelim, as well as general contractors (GCs).
When your project’s dollar worth (as stated on your prelim) increases thirty percent or more throughout the process, you might be required to mail an additional preliminary notice. Information on Arizona lien laws is in Arizona’s Revised Statutes.

Like California, you are required to send your Arizona preliminary lien notice within 20 days of beginning your project. Meaning the day you start work on the worksite is your benchmark, as Day 1, and you count 20 days from there (information is in Arizona’s Revised Statutes). Your recipients aren’t required to get it within 20 days, so there is still time to send your Arizona prelim, even inside of the final hours prior to the deadline.