The Lien Blog Provides Alerts to Upcoming Lien and Bond Law Changes The lien blog is a great place to learn about upcoming lien and bond law changes throughout the nation, and to figure out what effect these changes will have. Here is a general link to updates on the changing face of construction lien/bond [...]
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Who Gets Preliminary Notice When Working on A Condominium Complex in Washington?
Over the weekend, a reader sent in an interesting question about Washington’s preliminary notice requirements. The question relates to construction work and materials furnished to a condominium complex, specifically inquiring as to who must receive the preliminary notice on such projects? Condominium construction projects presents complex legal issues in the mechanics lien context because property [...]
The Vast Differences Between Washington and Oregon Bond Claims
Oregon and Washington share a border, and as an attorney practicing in both states, I can attest that they share a lot of business as well. It’s quite common for contractors and suppliers to work across those state lines, with Washington folks frequently furnishing to areas like Portland, Oregon, and Oregon folks frequently furnishing to [...]
Scenario: Can Mechanics Lien Be Filed For Work On Puget Sound Ferris Wheel?
I love Seattle in the summer, and personally spend a lot of time in the city during the summer months (of course, who wouldn’t want to get out of the New Orleans heat!). I am in Seattle today, and was surprised to see construction finishing up on a huge ferris wheel at the waterfront (photo [...]
You Don’t Need Preliminary Notice in Washington For Labor Portion Of Work
On private projects in Washington state, all material suppliers and most subcontractors must deliver a preliminary notice within 60 days of first furnishing labor or materials to a construction project. Failing to send this preliminary notice will result in the loss of mechanics lien rights. This preliminary notice requirement is pretty well known in Washington, [...]
Washington Mechanics Lien Deadlines That End On Holidays or Weekends Extend To Next Business Day
In Washington state, those unpaid for furnishing labor or materials to a construction project must file their mechanics lien within 90 days of last furnishing to the project. The deadline is very strictly adhered to, as all mechanics lien deadlines are. Except that the Washington mechanics lien deadline may be extended for a very short [...]
Construction Managers in Washington Cannot File Mechanics Liens
Last year I was involved with a case in Washington that asked the courts this very question, and the courts replied negatively. At the current time, therefore, construction managers do not have mechanics lien rights in the state of Washington. The case was Blue Diamond Group Inc v. KB Seattle, Inc.. The construction manager here [...]
Can I Include Lien Costs or Attorney Fees in a Washington Mechanics Lien?
A few years ago, I wrote a blog post to address a very frequently asked question, which is “What costs can I include in a mechanics lien?” Regardless of where you’re filing your mechanics lien, you are always required to set out in the lien document the amount of your claim. Companies typically have the [...]
Prefabricated Construction Rising – Who Has Mechanics Lien Rights?
Everyone looks for ways to save money. These days in the construction industry, that means manufacturing and constructing as much as possible off site, and then piecing the constructed building or item together at the job site. I recently spoke about this with a friend of mine who works at Universal Forest Products in connection [...]
Filed A Mechanics Lien and Being Threatened?
I’ve heard this story a lot. After you file a mechanics lien, the property owner or prime contractor comes back to you in a rage threatening to torch the earth if you don’t remove it. Perhaps they will threaten to never pay you, to bury you in legal fees, or…more troubling, they may threaten to never [...]
Washington’s 3 Most Common Mechanics Lien Mistakes
If you’re unpaid on a construction project in Washington state, there is no better solution for you other than the mechanics lien instrument. Filing a mechanics lien is hands-down the most effective way to get your debt paid, but actually filing the lien claim can be very complex and detailed. In fact, it’s quite easy [...]
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Scott Wolfe Jr., JD
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