Protect your mechanics lien rights in California. Our 20-Day Preliminary Notice service ensures compliance with California Civil Code requirements.
Free Tool
Free, no signup. California statute-accurate.
Must be served within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials. Late notices only protect work from 20 days before the notice.
Everyone except employees and those with direct contracts with property owners on residential projects (4 units or less).
Property owner, general contractor (direct contractor), and construction lender (if applicable). All must receive the notice.
California's preliminary notice laws are among the most complex in the nation. The 20-day period is counted from when you first furnished labor or materials—not when you signed the contract. Late notices are only partially effective. Don't risk your lien rights.
We research ownership through California county records
We identify any construction lenders on the project
Notice prepared per California Civil Code §8200-8216
Proper delivery method as required by California law
Complete documentation for your records
We help you track lien and lawsuit deadlines
A California 20-Day Preliminary Notice is a document that must be sent within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials. It notifies the property owner, general contractor, and lender that you are working on the project and preserves your mechanics lien rights.
All subcontractors, suppliers, and equipment lessors must send a preliminary notice in California. Direct contractors (those with a contract directly with the owner) are exempt from this requirement.
In California, you must record your mechanics lien within 90 days of project completion, or 60 days after a Notice of Completion or Notice of Cessation is recorded.
In California, you can still send a late notice, but it only protects work performed within 20 days before sending the notice and all work after. Work performed before that 20-day window is not protected by lien rights.
Almost always, yes. The only exceptions are laborers (employees) and those with direct contracts with property owners on small residential projects (4 units or less). Everyone else should send a 20-day notice to preserve lien rights.
The 20 days begins when you first furnish labor, services, equipment, or materials to the project—not when you signed the contract or received a purchase order. This is a critical distinction.
Complete guide to California lien filing including 20-day notice requirements.
Everything you need to know about preliminary notices and lien rights.
Strategies for protecting payments on California commercial construction.