1. Home
  2. >>
  3. Preliminary Liens
  4. >>
  5. Amending a Preliminary Notice

Amending a Preliminary Lien Notice

By Dave Barnier

Is it wise to amend a preliminary lien notice?

QUESTION:

If I issue a preliminary lien notice for an estimated amount of $10,000.00 and my customer has purchased more than this amount, all I have to do is reissue another preliminary notice, right?

That's what I've done in the past but someone told me there should be an amendment prelien I need to send out? Is this true?

If this is not the case, do I need to indicate on the second prelien that this is an addition to the first one filed?

ANSWER:

For any individual contract, a claimant does NOT need to serve an amended preliminary notice ("prelim") upon learning that the total value of labor/materials/equipment has increased under that contract.

The rule for a prelim to be valid is that, at the time the prelim is served, the claimant has investigated the likely total value of labor/materials/equipment to be provided and has made a good faith estimation of that total value.

A prelim is not invalid because the total value increased after the prelim was served.

In fact, it is often damaging to serve a second preliminary notice, as that second prelim may not be served until more than 20 days after the claimant first provided labor/materials/equipment to the project, and an argument might be made that the second prelim trumps the first prelim, resulting in the claimant having lien rights only for the labor/materials/equipment provided from the date 20 days prior to the second prelim.

While this argument might fail, the fact that the argument might even be made is a bad thing for the claimant.

The situation is different if the increase in labor/materials/equipment is based upon a new contract or purchase order.

It is not always clear whether an increased order for materials is a new contract/PO or an amendment to the original contract/PO.

Remember that a prelim should be served for each contract, so if the increased labor/materials/equipment is under a new contract, a new prelim would be required.

Each case should be looked at individually with an attorney to determine whether the increased labor/materials/equipment are an amendment to the original contract/PO or represent a new contractual agreement separate from the original contract/PO.

--
Thank you to Dave Barnier for the above information. :) Mr. Barnier is a practicing litigation attorney in San Diego CA and can be reached at 619.682.4842.

The information in this article is based upon California law current at the time of writing and is provided for general information, only. The information provided illustrates laws and legal principals in general. Any information or analysis presented in this article is intended solely to educate the reader on general issues. A comprehensive review of facts, documents, and applicable laws is always required before any attorney can competently provide any legal advice regarding any particular situation. In short: Please do not rely on any part of this article when analyzing any specific situation affecting you or your business.

Preliminary Lien Notices / Pre-Liens

Word and PDF versions

  • Instant Download
  • Unlimited Usage
  • Unlimited Free Replacement
  • Unlimited Free Support
  • Includes Exclusive, In-Depth Help: Learn Exactly How to do the California Preliminary Notice!

Construction-Business-Forms.com

Bookmark me!

Bookmark my site and let me help you with your construction project management - together we'll crush the chaos of contracting!

Be sure to subscribe to my free newsletter to stay updated on happenings here at the site, updates to the downloadable construction forms, and ongoing news in the construction world.

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!
Diane

New! Comments

Please leave me your comments below. Facebook doesn't notify me of comments but I'm tickled when I come across them and I always respond when I see them.

Article Series: Preliminary Lien Law

Image of, and link to, California 20-Day Preliminary Notice form

California 20-Day Preliminary Lien Notices
Word and PDF versions

  • Instant Download
  • Unlimited Usage
  • Unlimited Free Replacement
  • Unlimited Free Support
  • Exclusive, In-Depth, "Exactly How To Do The California Preliminary Notice" Article!

Construction-Business-Forms.com


Preliminary Notices and Conflicting Addresses

If the address on the Grant Deed is different than the address on the prelim information given to us by the General Contractor, who do we send it to?


Nevada Notice of Right to Lien & Request for Notice of Completion

The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How - not necessarily in that order :o)


The California Preliminary Notice Covers Up to 20 Days Back

Just because you missed the deadline doesn't mean that all is lost!


Preliminary Lien Notice Research

A preliminary lien notice won't do you any good if they don't go to the correct entities.


California preliminary notice, Supplier didn't do one...

Unfortunately, a prelim is required to file a lien, even if you're a supplier.


Arizona Preliminary Liens

Arizona requires preliminary liens prior to mechanic's liens.




General Contractor Was Paid But He Won't Pay Sub

What should you do? Do you still have lien rights?


California mechanic's lien laws, preliminary notices, and change orders

Do you have to do a preliminary notice for change orders?


California Preliminary Notice & Architectural Fees

I am an architect who is having difficulty with the final payment of fees...


When a Preliminary Lien Notice is Refused

Did someone refuse your preliminary lien notice?


Preliminary Liens When There's More Than One Location

The potential ramifications of using one preliminary notice for several locations when they're all under the same contract


Image of, and link to, California 20-Day Preliminary Notice form

California 20-Day Preliminary Lien Notice
Word and PDF versions

  • Instant Download
  • Unlimited Usage
  • Unlimited Free Replacement
  • Unlimited Free Support
  • Includes an Exclusive, In-Depth, How-to Article!

Construction-Business-Forms.com


Preliminary Notices and Dollar Amounts

Make sure the $ amount on the prelim is as accurate as possible


Preliminary Liens and Non-Responsibility

Why you should serve the owner with a prelim even if he posts a notice of non-responsibility


Preliminary Notices and Signatures

Can the signature on a preliminary notice be a copy/fax or must it be 'wet'/original?


Amending a Preliminary Lien Notice

Is it better to amend the notice, or issue a new one?


Image of, and link to, California 20-Day Preliminary Notice form

California 20-Day Preliminary Notices
Word and PDF versions

  • Instant Download
  • Unlimited Usage
  • Unlimited Free Replacement
  • Unlimited Free Support
  • Includes an Exclusive, In-Depth, How-to Article!

Construction-Business-Forms.com


Serving the Wrong Party

When working in Arizona be sure to timely serve the preliminary notice *to the correct parties* or there could be trouble


Getting 'Stiffed' on the Job

Preliminary liens can help save you from being 'stiffed' on the job!


Property Records are your Friend

Research property records when doing your preliminary notices


Outsourcing your Preliminary Liens

Thoughts about using a company that handles your preliminary notices for you


Preliminary Liens - a detailed, step-by-step outline

A detailed step-by-step explanation of how to process preliminary notices


Preliminary Liens

Tracking the paperwork, the proof of service, and the USPS documents for prelims


Image of, and link to, California 20-Day Preliminary Notice form

California 20-Day Preliminary Lien Notices
Word and PDF versions

  • Instant Download
  • Unlimited Usage
  • Unlimited Free Replacement
  • Unlimited Free Support
  • Includes an Exclusive, In-Depth, How-to Article!

Construction-Business-Forms.com


Preliminary Liens and Notifying the Correct Parties

Make sure your prelims go to the correct entities


Mishandling of, or Not Processing, Preliminary Liens

Mishandling of, or not processing, preliminary liens is one of the top 10 mistakes contractors make




At one time the California preliminary notice form was mandated by California to be titled "20-Day Preliminary Notice Form" (exactly, word for word). The California mandate has since changed and the form is now known as the "Preliminary Notice Form" (again, exactly, word for word). Make sure what your state requires and make sure your forms are valid.