Construction Law

What You Should Know About Filing a Mechanics Lien in Florida Part 1

Mechanics liens are a powerful and typically efficient way for construction professionals who are owed payment to collect; however, lien law is also complex and riddled with deadlines. It is easy to lose your lien rights to a small mistake.

As Orlando construction lawyers, it is our job to protect and advocate for construction industry professionals. This is why we are here with a five-part article dedicated to what you should know about mechanics liens in Florida.

What Is A Mechanics Lien?

Simply put, a mechanics lien gives a construction professional privilege against the property on which they performed work or rendered service. It is the most powerful collection tool available to a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier.

A Brief History

While the subsequent parts of this article will delve deeper into the intricacies of lien law, our Orlando construction lawyers wish to briefly explain the linguistic oddity of a “mechanics” lien.

A mechanics lien is not used by auto mechanics, but by construction professionals. Have you ever wondered why this was the case?

The term was coined by Thomas Jefferson, who created the mechanics lien with the assistance of a few other great minds of the time. In the late 1700s, automobiles did not exist; in those days, the term “mechanic” simply meant someone who performed work with their hands—tradespeople and builders in particular. At the time, much of the US still needed to be developed, and the professionals doing that work needed a means of ensuring they would be paid.

Though most people have gotten used to the name “mechanics lien” and take it at face value, it is also called a construction lien, materialman’s lien, laborers lien, suppliers lien, or design professionals lien (depending on the type of construction professional).

A Skilled Orlando Construction Lawyer Can Assist You

If you need to file a mechanics lien, working with an Orlando construction lawyer ensures that everything is done right.

The attorneys at Cotney Attorneys & Consultants have over 100 years of combined construction law experience and our firm offers fixed prices for the preparation of all lien and bond documents.

This article is continued in Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.

If you would like to speak with an Orlando construction lawyer, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.