What Is a construction lien and how do you get one?

TLDR

A construction lien is a legal claim that helps contractors secure payment by placing an ownership claim on a property until invoices are settled. Filing one requires proper documentation, proof of work, and following your local filing rules.

Understanding Construction Liens in 2026

Cash flow is the heartbeat of any construction company. When a customer does not pay on time, stress builds fast and projects can grind to a halt. Many contractors avoid lawyers and lengthy court battles, so a construction lien becomes a practical tool to help secure payment.

Even though Bolster focuses on construction estimating software, getting paid for completed work is part of the full business cycle. Understanding liens can save your company from financial strain.

What Is a Construction Lien?

When you are preparing quotes, managing crews, and delivering projects, you expect clients to pay once the work is done. Unfortunately, payment delays happen. A construction lien is a legal claim that contractors can file to assert a temporary ownership interest in the property they worked on. In simple terms, it gives you leverage based on the time, labor, and materials you have invested.

Why Construction Liens Motivate Customers to Pay

A property with a lien on it is no longer fully under the owner’s legal control. This affects their ability to refinance, sell, or sometimes even rent out the property. Most property owners want to avoid any complications with their title, which is why liens are so effective at encouraging quick payment.

How Do You Get a Construction Lien?

You cannot simply claim an interest in any property. You must provide documentation that proves:

• You had a valid contract
• You performed work or supplied materials
• You invested time and money into the project

This is where strong estimating and project management tools shine. Every quote, change order, timeline, and cost entry becomes part of the paper trail that may protect you if you ever need to file a lien.

The exact process differs by state or region. Most areas require filing the lien with a land titles office or a local building department. They will outline the specific forms and documentation needed.

One critical point: time limits matter. Every region has strict deadlines for filing a lien, and missing those deadlines can cause you to lose your rights.

A construction lien is one of the most powerful tools available to ensure you get paid for completed work. With strong documentation and good internal processes, supported by tools like Bolster, contractors can protect their cash flow while keeping projects moving forward.