Generally, no. Most subcontractors and suppliers cannot file a valid mechanics lien unless they first serve a preliminary notice in California. Missing this crucial step can render the lien unenforceable and result in the loss of your right to secure payment from the property.
Note: General contractors with a direct contract with the owner are usually exempt from sending this notice unless a lender is involved. Read our full guide below, reviewed for accuracy by our lien specialists. Updated July 2026.
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Learn what to do if you missed the 20-day window of sending a California notice, all explained in under a minute with our video guide.
The California 20-day preliminary notice is a written notice sent near the start of a construction job to tell the owner and other key parties that you are working on the project and may later file a mechanics lien if you are not paid. It is an early warning, not a bill and not a lien by itself.
According to California Civil Code § 8102, a preliminary lien notice requirement typically includes:
Struggling to fill out and send your California preliminary notice template? Ask our lien specialists →
You are usually required to send a pre-lien notice in California if you:
In this group of workers, the owner did not hire you personally. The prelim is the state’s way of making sure the owner knows you exist before you try to place a lien on their property. If you do not send the notice, you may lose your mechanics lien rights entirely for that project. (California Civil Code 8200)
You are usually exempt from sending a preliminary notice if you are:
General contractors have a contract with the owner that outlines their scope of work and charges. If there’s a construction lender, the GC usually must inform the lender to protect rights.
Hourly workers do not use mechanics liens in the same way as subs and suppliers. Their claims are tied to unpaid wages and are subject to different rules, so they are not part of the preliminary notice system.
If you send your preliminary notice within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials to the project, you generally protect lien rights for:
You don’t have to wait until you are physically on site. You can send the preliminary notice as soon as your contract is signed. Many contractors treat this as part of their standard onboarding process for new jobs.
Send a late preliminary notice immediately using certified mail or another trackable method (California Civil Code section 8110). Every day you wait is a day of work that cannot be protected by lien rights.
In California, a late preliminary notice generally triggers a 20‑day lookback. The notice covers work performed in the 20 days before mailing and all work performed after. Work done earlier than that window is usually outside your mechanics lien protection.
In simple terms:
Even with these limits, a late preliminary notice can still save a large portion of your job. It often preserves tens of thousands of dollars that would otherwise be completely unprotected.
If you need the exact mailing requirements and steps on how to fill out a California notice, read our complete guide on How to Send a California 20-Day Preliminary Notice.
Save this quick guide on what to do if you missed the 20-day notice in California.
The notice informs property owners, direct contractors, and lenders that a subcontractor or material supplier is working on a project.
| Role on the Project | Purpose of Notice | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Property Owners | The Anti‑Surprise Shield | A transparency notice that tells you which businesses are working on your project. It lets them raise their hand and say, “We want you to know we’re here and we’re working.” That gives you the chance to verify that your GC is paying everyone before you release the final funds. It reduces the odds of surprise liens later. |
| Subcontractors & Suppliers | The Ticket to the Game | The property owner often does not know who you are. Their contract is usually with the general contractor, not with you. The California 20-day preliminary notice is your formal way of saying, “We are contributing to this project, and we have lien rights if we are not paid.” |
| General Contractors | The Bank‑Notification Tool | Your contract is usually the owner’s early warning. You typically don’t need a separate preliminary notice to protect lien rights against the owner. However, many GCs send one anyway to speed up payment, show professionalism, and avoid disputes. The main exception is when a construction lender funds the project. In that case, notifying the bank is critical for your rights against the loan. |
Sending a California prelim notice generally costs between $15 and $65 per notice with online lien professionals or about $15 to $30 if you manage the preparation and mailing yourself.
Sending a notice yourself saves upfront service fees but exposes you to critical risks, such as invalidation, that a professional service like Northwest Lien eliminates.
| Feature | Do It Yourself (DIY) | Northwest Lien Service |
|---|---|---|
| Property Owner Verification | ❌ High Risk. You rely on the contract or tax bill, which may not list the official owner of record. | ✅ FREE Title Search Included. We verify the actual property owner through official county records. |
| Official Property Description | Manual Search. Using just a street address can invalidate your lien. Finding the APN is difficult. | ✅ Verified. We locate the exact property description required by California statutes. |
| Forms & Compliance | Could be outdated. Generic forms found online may miss recent California legislative changes. | ✅ Guaranteed. Experts review our forms to ensure 100% compliance with current statutes. |
| Filing Process | Time-consuming. Researching, driving to the recorder’s office, standing in line, or mailing and hoping it arrives. | ✅ Fast & Electronic. We use E-Recording in most counties for same-day filing. |
| Liability Risk | ⚠️ High. A clerical error may result in a “Slander of Title” lawsuit. | ✅ Protected. We file with accuracy so you avoid frivolous counterclaims. |
Northwest Lien has processed thousands of mechanics lien filings in California, Washington, and Oregon since 1999 and has collected over $250 million for our clients. We stay up to date with all state codes and compliance changes to help make filing simple and stress-free for you.
What our customers say:
“As a customer of Northwest Lien Service for 18+ years, Ken and his staff continue to provide for us peace of mind that our Notice to Customers/Intents are filed accurately and in a timely manner. It has been a pleasure watching Northwest Lien Service grow, all the while continuing to provide a friendly and hands-on service. I have and will continue to use and recommend their services.”
– Joyce Hibma, Comptroller at Bulldog Demolition & GC Inc
Here are some common questions our lien specialists get.
A preliminary notice is generally required for California subcontractors, suppliers, and equipment rental companies that do not have a direct contract with the property owner. Without it, their mechanics lien rights for that job may be lost. While it is optional for general contractors with a direct contract to the owner, many choose to send it as a matter of good practice.
California does not generally require a separate “Notice of Intent to Lien” before recording a mechanics lien. Many contractors use it voluntarily as a final warning letter to prompt payment before recording the lien.
You can file a mechanics lien in California once you have furnished labor or materials, and the payment remains unpaid. For most subs and suppliers, that means a valid preliminary notice was sent, and the lien is recorded within the state’s deadline for that type of project.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Mechanics lien laws are complex and vary by jurisdiction. For specific legal guidance regarding your situation, please consult with a qualified local attorney.
