If you’re doing construction or home improvement work in NYC or Long Island and a client stops paying, you’re not out of luck — at least, not if you act fast. That’s where a mechanic’s lien comes in. A mechanic’s lien is a powerful legal tool that allows contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers to claim a legal interest in the property they worked on. If the property owner doesn’t pay, the lien puts pressure on them by making it harder to sell, refinance, or borrow against the property.
Here’s the basic idea:
Who can file a lien?
Contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and laborers — pretty much anyone who provided labor or materials for a project.
How long do you have to file?
For residential jobs in New York, you’ve got 4 months from the last day you worked on the property. For commercial jobs, it’s 8 months.
Miss the deadline, and you lose your lien rights.
Why does it work?
A lien can make it very hard to sell or refinance — which usually gets someones attention. Most people don’t want a lien on their property.
Common mistakes:
- Missing the deadline
- Listing the wrong property owner
- Not serving the proper notice
- Filing it too early (yes, that’s a thing)
A mechanic’s lien isn’t the solution to every payment issue, but when used correctly, it’s one of the most powerful tools in the tool box.
Want to make sure you’re doing it right — or want to see if you’re eligible to file one now?
Reach out to Eisen Law, P.C.
info@eisenpc.com
631-201-2023
We can help you file and enforce mechanic’s liens across NYC and Long Island — so you can spend less time chasing money and more time building.