PRELIMINARY NOTICE / NOTICE TO OWNER

(Universal Multi-State Template)

IMPORTANT: This is a universal template. Each state has specific preliminary notice requirements, deadlines, and statutory language. Consult the state-specific template and applicable state law before use.

NOTICE DATE

Date of Notice: _________________________________

SECTION 1: PROJECT INFORMATION

Project Name: _________________________________

Project Address/Location:
_________________________________
_________________________________
County: _________________________________

Legal Description of Property:
_________________________________
_________________________________

Type of Project:
☐ Residential (1-4 family dwelling)
☐ Residential (5+ units)
☐ Commercial
☐ Industrial
☐ Public Works
☐ Other: _________________________________

SECTION 2: PROPERTY OWNER / REPUTED OWNER INFORMATION

Owner/Reputed Owner Name: _________________________________

Mailing Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: _____ ZIP: _________

Phone: _________________________ Email: _________________________

SECTION 3: GENERAL CONTRACTOR / PRIME CONTRACTOR INFORMATION

General Contractor Name: _________________________________

Company Name: _________________________________

Contractor License No.: _________________________________

Mailing Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: _____ ZIP: _________

Phone: _________________________ Email: _________________________

SECTION 4: CONSTRUCTION LENDER INFORMATION (if applicable)

Lender Name: _________________________________

Mailing Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: _____ ZIP: _________

Phone: _________________________ Email: _________________________

SECTION 5: CLAIMANT / NOTICE SENDER INFORMATION

Claimant Name: _________________________________

Company Name: _________________________________

Claimant Type:
☐ Subcontractor (1st tier - contracted with General Contractor)
☐ Sub-subcontractor (2nd tier - contracted with Subcontractor)
☐ Material Supplier
☐ Equipment Rental Company
☐ Design Professional (Architect/Engineer)
☐ Laborer
☐ Other: _________________________________

License/Registration No. (if applicable): _________________________________

Mailing Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
City: _________________ State: _____ ZIP: _________

Phone: _________________________ Email: _________________________

SECTION 6: DIRECT CONTRACT PARTY INFORMATION

Party with Whom Claimant Contracted:
☐ Property Owner
☐ General Contractor
☐ Subcontractor: _________________________________
☐ Other: _________________________________

Contract Date: _________________________________

SECTION 7: DESCRIPTION OF LABOR, SERVICES, OR MATERIALS

General Description of Work/Materials Furnished or to be Furnished:

_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

Date First Furnished Labor/Materials: _________________________________

Estimated Completion Date: _________________________________

SECTION 8: CONTRACT AMOUNT / ESTIMATED TOTAL PRICE

Original Contract Price: $__________________

Estimated Total Price (including change orders): $__________________

Amount Paid to Date: $__________________

Balance Due or to Become Due: $__________________

SECTION 9: STATUTORY NOTICE LANGUAGE

NOTICE: This document serves as preliminary notice required by state law. By providing this notice, the claimant is informing the property owner and other interested parties that the claimant has provided or will provide labor, services, materials, or equipment for the improvement of the property described above.

This notice does NOT constitute a lien on the property. It is a procedural requirement that preserves the claimant's right to file a mechanics lien or claim against a payment bond if payment is not received.

Property owners should ensure that all parties who send preliminary notices are paid for their work, either directly or by verifying that payments made to the general contractor are being passed on to subcontractors and suppliers.

SECTION 10: STATE-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

State Where Project is Located: _________________________________

Applicable Statute(s): _________________________________

Deadline for Sending This Notice: _________________ days after first furnishing

Required Recipients:
☐ Property Owner
☐ General Contractor
☐ Construction Lender
☐ Mechanics Lien Agent
☐ Other: _________________________________

Required Filing/Recording:
☐ Must be filed with County Recorder/Clerk
☐ Must be filed with State Construction Registry
☐ No filing required - service only
☐ Other: _________________________________

SECTION 11: CLAIMANT'S SIGNATURE AND VERIFICATION

I, the undersigned, declare under penalty of perjury that the information contained in this preliminary notice is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________________

Printed Name: _________________________________

Title: _________________________________

SECTION 12: PROOF OF SERVICE / CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

I certify that on _________________ (date), I served a copy of this Preliminary Notice on the following parties by the method indicated:

Owner/Reputed Owner:
☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested
☐ Registered Mail
☐ Personal Delivery
☐ Overnight/Commercial Courier
☐ First Class Mail
☐ Other: _________________________________

Tracking/Receipt No.: _________________________________
Date Sent: _________________________________
Date Received (if known): _________________________________

General Contractor:
☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested
☐ Registered Mail
☐ Personal Delivery
☐ Overnight/Commercial Courier
☐ First Class Mail
☐ Other: _________________________________

Tracking/Receipt No.: _________________________________
Date Sent: _________________________________
Date Received (if known): _________________________________

Construction Lender (if applicable):
☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested
☐ Registered Mail
☐ Personal Delivery
☐ Overnight/Commercial Courier
☐ First Class Mail
☐ Other: _________________________________

Tracking/Receipt No.: _________________________________
Date Sent: _________________________________
Date Received (if known): _________________________________

Signature of Person Effecting Service: _________________________________

Printed Name: _________________________________

Date: _________________________________

STATE-SPECIFIC DEADLINE SUMMARY

Note: This is not a complete list. Always verify current state requirements before sending notices.

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING TO SEND TIMELY PRELIMINARY NOTICE

1. Loss of Lien Rights: In most states, failure to send timely preliminary notice will result in complete loss of mechanics lien rights, or limitation of lien rights to work performed within a specified period before and after the notice is sent.

2. Loss of Payment Bond Rights: Preliminary notice is often required to preserve rights to claim against a contractor's payment bond.

3. Loss of Stop Notice Rights: In states that provide stop notice remedies, preliminary notice is typically a prerequisite.

4. Limited Recovery: Late notices may only protect work performed within a specified number of days before the notice was sent (varies by state).

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS

THIS IS A GENERAL TEMPLATE ONLY. State laws governing preliminary notices vary significantly. Before using this form:

1. Verify the specific statutory requirements for the state where the project is located
2. Confirm deadline calculations and service requirements
3. Use state-approved forms where required by statute
4. Consult with a licensed attorney familiar with construction lien law in the applicable jurisdiction

This document does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.

Template Version: 2026.01