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Preliminary Notice vs. Notice of Intent to Lien

Updated: December 8, 2023

What’s the Difference Between a Preliminary Notice and a Notice of Intent?

Getting paid for your contractor work is crucial, and it can be frustrating and concerning when delays happen, whether due to lack of funds or dissatisfaction with the job. To ensure you’re paid on time, there are two key legal tools for contractor use: the preliminary notice and the notice of intent to lien.

Luckily, there are preventative legal tools available to contractors to ensure they get paid for their work in advance; the two we’re focusing on today are the preliminary notice and the notice of intent to lien. Though the terms are often used interchangeably, the preliminary notice and the notice of intent serve different purposes in some states: a preliminary notice is a routine letter notifying the property owner of your work on the project, while a notice of intent is a more serious warning letter demonstrating intent to lien. Please note that, for contractors in Washington and Oregon, the preliminary notice and notice of intent are the same thing in practice. The distinction described in this article really only applies in states where a formal notice of intent is required immediately before claiming a lien, like in North Dakota or Wyoming.

If you’re a contractor in one of these states who likes to be paid for their work, it’s critical that you understand the difference between a preliminary notice and a notice of intent to lien to protect your legal right to income for services rendered. The requirements for both documents also vary by state, which can only complicate the process for contractors — but don’t worry, that’s where the expert team at Northwest Lien can help!

Note: For contractors in Washington and Oregon, the preliminary notice and notice of intent are, in practice, the same thing. The distinction described in this article really only applies in states where a formal notice of intent is required immediately before claiming a lien, like in North Dakota or Wyoming.

What is a Preliminary Notice?

Both the preliminary notice and the notice of intent are, in essence, legal communication channels — usually between a property owner and a subcontractor, who have no direct legal ties to (i.e., no contract with) one another. This concept applies to suppliers and laborers, too, who also have not contracted directly with the property owner, as well as prime contractors in certain states. In short, preliminary notice requirements apply to everyone … so keep reading!

Preliminary notices are an opportunity for contractors to introduce themselves to property owners and describe the services or supplies they plan to provide, encouraging transparency in their working relationship with the owner. Because it acts as an introduction, preliminary notice is usually sent long before payment is due — sometimes even before work has begun.

Nearly every state requires subcontractors and material suppliers to send preliminary notice to secure their right to place a lien on construction projects, but which type of preliminary notice you’re required to send depends on factors like the size/type of the project and what role you played in it. Adding to the confusion, ‘sending preliminary notice’ can refer to both the introductory letter and the ‘Notice of Intent to Lien’ document because, for many projects, sending notice of intent to lien is the only notice required to preserve lien rights. 

We know, we know, it’s a lot. Hang with us.

Oregon Notice of Right to Lien Requirements

Each state calls the document required for “sending preliminary notice” by a slightly different name and enforces a slightly different deadline to file it. In California, for example, it’s known as a Preliminary 20-day Notice and can be filed at any time during the job. In Oregon, just one state away, they’ve got two different documents for sending preliminary notice: 

1. Notice of Right to Lien

Lien claimants who haven’t directly contracted with the owner (i.e., subcontractors, laborers, or suppliers) must send notice of right to lien within 8 days of first furnishing to preserve their lien rights. Learn how to send notice in Oregon.

2. Information Notice to Owner

Lien claimants with a direct contract with the owner (known as “original contractors” in Oregon) do not have to send preliminary notice to preserve their lien rights; however, original contractors working on “residential structures” worth over $2,000 do have to file what’s known as an “Information Notice to Owner” within 75 days of job completion.

Washington Preliminary Notice Requirements

In Washington, subcontractors who provided “professional services, materials, or equipment” are required to send preliminary notice to the property owner 60 days from first delivering materials. Note that this excludes those who only provided labor; according to Washington RCW 60.04.031, “laborers on the project may claim a lien without sending notice.” 

Additionally, subcontractors working on the new construction of a single-family residence exhibit a shorter notice deadline, required to send notice just 10 days from first delivering materials. Learn more about sending preliminary notice in Washington state.

Many prime contractors (those who have contracted directly with the property owner) in Washington are not required to send preliminary notice — the contract protects them enough already. However, for larger jobs, they are required to provide a “Washington Model Disclosure Statement,” a different type of preliminary notice document.

So, are you required to send preliminary notice in the state of Washington to preserve your lien rights? Put simply, it depends. Contact Northwest Lien to ensure you’re filing and sending the correct documents for your unique situation.

Construction worker focuses on task on site

What is a Notice of Intent to Lien?

Now that we’ve covered preliminary notice, let’s examine the notice of intent.

Notice of intent to lien, also called an “Intent to Lien” letter, is an official demand letter. You must take this step after sending preliminary notice but before filing a claim for a mechanic’s lien. This document has far more legal weight than the first one, which is routinely sent as a precaution. Notices of intent to lien, however, warn property owners that you mean business; because they pack such a legal punch, notices of intent typically produce better and faster results with contractors seeing payments an average of 20 days later. 

The standard legal advice with a construction notice is to file both, even if your state doesn’t require it. This provides the property owner with plenty of notice that you intend to exercise all legal means of collecting a debt. You could also lose your legal right to file a mechanic’s claim if you don’t file the correct documents in order.

Construction Lien and Mechanic’s Lien Services in Oregon and Washington

At Northwest Lien Service, we know that keeping track of terms, legal rights, documents, and filing deadlines can be confusing. That’s why we’re formally offering ourselves as a resource; feel free to reach out with any questions you stumble across and we’ll help you sort it all out.

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Preliminary Notice vs. Notice of Intent to Lien
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Preliminary Notice vs. Notice of Intent to Lien
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What's the difference between a preliminary notice and a Notice of Intent? The difference lies in the implications of each document: a preliminary notice is a routine letter and a Notice of Intent is a more serious warning letter.
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Northwest Lien
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