Simplified Private Work Mechanic Lien And Stop Notice Action Guide For Private Work Of Improvement
| Event/Task | Date | Action | Action Completion Date |
| Project Commencement Date | |||
| First Work Performed By Claimant | If private works:
Serve preliminary lien notice on general, owner and lender within 20 days of first performing work |
||
| If California Public Works Serve preliminary lien notice serve on contractor and public entity | |||
| Preliminary Lien Notice Served On owner, general and lender | |||
| Notice of Completion Or Cessation Recorded by Owner | If General Contractor record lien in County Recorders office and/or serve stop notice within 60 days | ||
| If not General Contractor record lien in County Recorders office and/or serve stop notice within 30 days | |||
| If No Notice of Completion, Date of Actual Completion | File lien/stop notice within 90 days | ||
| If payment bond | Mail notice to surety and bond principal (by certified mail) within 15 days after Notice of Completion or if a Notice of Completion is recorded then mail notice within 75 days after actual completion | ||
| If Mechanic Lien/ Stop Notice filed/served | If private works, file lawsuit to foreclose within 90 days. If California Public works within 90 days after period in which stop notices must be served |
This table is a simplified overview of the time deadlines for filing a stop notice and/or mechanic lien on a private work of improvement. There are exceptions to the deadlines and applications of the remedy. This chart, © 1999, was prepared by William C. Last, Jr. of Last, Faoro & Whitehorn A Professional Law Corporation. Mr. Last is an attorney who has been specializing in Construction Law for over eighteen years. Mr. Last also holds a California A&B contractors license. If you have any questions Mr. Last can be contacted at or . This bulletin is published periodically to provide general information about current legal issues. If you have a specific legal question or need legal advice, you should contact an attorney.