Do we need to submit a pre construction lien notice before actually starting to work?
A contractor’s lien is a claim made by contractors or subcontractors who have performed work on a property who have not yet been paid. The priority of liens on a construction project does not depend upon the time of completion of the particular job, but rather everything relates back to the first visible commencement of the work. This stipulation means the final work, such as painting, is equal in priority to the initial work of laying a cement foundation. Therefore, during the entire work of construction, the owner must obtain lien releases or waivers of lien from each subcontractor and material supplier. Without these waivers or releases the real estate is subject to liens of all the subcontractors, even if the general contractor, though paid in full, fails to pay the subcontractors. In Tennessee, a contractor who contracts directly with the owner need not give any formal notice to the owner in order to preserve lien rights against the owner. However, if the contractor desires to per
