Source: https://aalaws.com/news/2018/2/26/summary-for-enforcing-claims-on-private-public-works-projects-in-california
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 16:54:32+00:00

Document:
For those of you involved in the construction industry who are constantly trying to remember how to perfect your jobs rights in order to ensure payment, I have put together a short summary (Hundreds of pages condensed to 27 pages) that will answer approximately 90% of your everyday questions concerning protecting your rights. For the other 10%, you might have to seek legal help. In that case I would ask that you keep me in mind. Just a note, the summary looks a bit odd on this post. If you print it out it should be in the right format. If not, send me a note and an e-mail address and I will send you one properly formatted. In the past I have been told that this summary is very useful.
Preliminary Notice must be sent to owner, contractor and lender within 20 days after first delivery.
Notice of Intent lien must be mailed to owner, contractor and lender via certified mail.
Record lien in county recorder's office within 30 days of notice of completion or 90 days of completion if no notice of completion.
Bring, suit to foreclose lien within 90 days of recording.
NOTE: Effective 7/1/2013-Claimant must serve the owner with the Mechanic’s Lien prior to recording the lien and must record Lis Pendens within 20 days of filing the law suit.
Same as #1 under Mechanic's Lien.
Serve bonded Stop Notice on lender within same times as set forth in above.
Bring suit on Stop Notice no sooner than 10 days after service and no later than 90 days after lien period expires.
Record lien or give notice to surety within lien period.
Bring suit on Bond within 6 months of completion.
Serve 20 days notice on prime and public body within 20 days of first delivery.
Serve Stop Notice on public body within 30 days of notice of completion.
Bring suit on Stop Notice within 90 days from expiration of Stop Notice filing period.
Stop Notice filing period - Notice of Completion + 30 days = 60 days.
Time to bring suit within 90 days of end of Stop Notice Filing = 60 + 90 = 150 days.
Serve Notice to Surety on prime and bonding company within 15 days of completion, if Notice of Completion filed, or 75 days after actual completion (if no Notice of Completion filed).
Bring suit within 6 months after expiration of time to file Stop Notice (6 months + 30 days after filing of Notice of Completion).
Serve 90 day Bond Notice on prime within 90 days of last delivery.
Bring suit within 1 year after last delivery.
Must be given within 20 days after claimant first furnishes labor, services, equipment or material to the job site (CC §8102-8202). Claimant may also give notice at any time during the job, in which case he will be entitled to file a lien or stop notice for labor, services, equipment or materials furnished 20 days prior to the notice and at any time after the notice. (CC §8204).
Construction lender or reputed construction lender (CC §8200).
A subcontractor, material supplier or anyone dealing directly with an owner/builder when there is no prime contractor must give the notice to the construction lender or reputed construction lender. (CC §8200).
If there is a construction lender he must be furnished with an estimate of the total price of the labor, services, equipment or materials.
The name and address of the person giving the notice.
The name of the person who contracted for purchase of the labor, services, equipment or materials.
A description of the job site sufficient to identify it.
If bills are not paid in full for the labor, services, equipment or materials furnished or to be furnished, a mechanic's lien leading to the loss, through court foreclosure proceedings, of all or part of your property being so improved may be placed against the property even though you have paid your contractor in full. You may wish to protect yourself against this consequence by (1) requiring your contractor to furnish a signed release by the person or firm giving you this notice before making payment to your contractor or (2) any other method or device which is appropriate under the circumstances.
If the notice is given by a subcontractor who, under a collective bargaining agreement. is required to pay supplemental fringe benefits into an express trust fund, then the notice must identify and give the address of the trust fund. (CC §8102 and CC §8202).
NOTE: The statute provides that, if an invoice contains the required information, it may be sent as a notice under the statute. (CC §8102 and CC §8202). The author has never seen an invoice that contained all of the above information.
NOTE: An architect, registered engineer or licensed land surveyor who has furnished design services for the work of improvement may give his notice within 20 days after the work of improvement has commenced. (CC §8102 and CC §8202).
Only one notice need be given for each job on which the claimant has furnished labor, services, equipment or materials, unless he contracts with more than one subcontractor. In that case he must give a notice for each subcontractor. (CC §8206).
If served by mail, then by proof of service affidavit accompanied by the return receipt of certified or registered mail or a photocopy of the record of delivery and receipt maintained by the post office showing, the date of delivery and to whom delivered or, in the event of non­delivery, the return envelope itself.
If served personally, then by proof of service affidavit.
Name and address of person served and title and capacity in which he was served, if appropriate. (CC §8118).
If a licensed contractor has a contract to supply more than $400 worth of labor, services, equipment or materials, then failure to give notice is a ground for disciplinary action. (CC §8216). Failure of the subcontractor to include the name and address of trust funds he contributes to that, results in the filing of a lien or stop notice also constitutes grounds for disciplinary action if the amount due the trust fund is not paid. (CC §8216). Finally, if a contractor or subcontractor is delinquent in paying fringe benefits, be must so notify the construction lender or reputed construction lender, setting forth the name of the owner and contractor. A description of the job site sufficient for identification. The identity and address of the trust fund the total straight time and overtime hours that are delinquent on each job and the amount then past due and owing. If the construction lender is not so notified within five days of the date payment was due, this will also constitute grounds for disciplinary action. (CC §8104).
A copy of the preliminary notice may be filed with the county recorder. There is a fee for filing that varies from county to county. If the preliminary notice is filed with the county recorder, then the county recorder will mail to the claimant a notification that a notice of completion or a notice of cessation has been recorded. Failure of the recorder to comply with this requirement shall not affect the time for filing a lien.
A general contractor cannot record a lien until he completes his contract. (CC §8412). All others cannot record their liens until they have ceased furnishing labor, services, equipment or materials. (CC §8414).
A lien claimant must serve the Owner and must list the address at which a copy was served on Owner (CC §8416) prior to recording his lien.
Where a valid notice of completion has been recorded, the general contractor then has 60 days to record. All others have 30 days. (CC §8412-8414).
All persons have 90 days from actual completion to record.
Occupation and use of the work of improvement by the owner or his agent accompanied by a cessation of labor. (CC §9200 and CC §8180).
Acceptance of the work of improvement by the owner or his agent. (CC §9200 and CC §8180).
A cessation of labor for a continuous period of 60 days. (CC §9200 and CC §8180).
If the owner records a notice of cessation of labor (after a 30-day cessation) then this is the same as a notice of completion and the prime contractor has 60 days, and all others have 30 days, to record their liens. (CC §9200, 9202, 7412-8414, 8180 and 8188).
In the office of the county recorder where the real property is located.
If the work of improvement is made pursuant to two or more original contracts, each covering a particular portion of the work of improvement, then the owner may record a separate notice of completion within 1O days after the completion of each separate contract. The lien period is then the same as set forth above. (CC §8186).
A statement of claimant's demand, after deducting, all just credits and offsets.
Name of owner or reputed owner, if known.
A general statement of the kind of labor, services, equipment or materials furnished.
Value of Lien can be either the reasonable value of the work or the price agreed to by the Claimant and the party contracted with.
NOTE: The lien must be signed and verified by the claimant or his agent. It need not be acknowledged.
NOTE: Effective 7/1/2014, Claimant must also serve the lender and Owner with a copy of the Mechanic’s Lien prior to the time that it is recorded.
Must be commenced within 90 days after the lien is recorded in the county where the real property is located. (CC §8460). The time to sue may be extended for up to one year from completion, provided a proper extension of time to foreclose is recorded within 90 days of recording the lien. (CC §8460).
The suit should name as defendants all parties who have any interest in the property. Suggested sources of names: lot book report, mechanic's lien guaranty or preliminary title report.
The court may exercise discretionary dismissal if the suit is not brought to trial within two years. (CC §8462).
Lis pendens must be recorded within 20 days of filing the lawsuit. (CC §8461).
Mechanic's lien actions on the same property may be consolidated.
Plaintiff can get an attachment in a lien foreclosure action.
Anyone entitled to a mechanic's lien is also entitled to file a stop notice.
The stop notice is served on the owner, construction lender or any other person holding construction funds. (CC §8044, 8502, 8506, 9352, and 9354).
If a payment bond has been recorded, then withholding by the owner or construction lender pursuant to the stop notice becomes optional as to all claimants except the prime contractor who furnished the payment bond. (CC §8522-8536, 8538, and 8542). If the claimant sends a written request and a self-addressed envelope with the stop notice to the owner and/or construction lender, then the owner and/or construction lender must notify the claimant of the election not to withhold and send a copy of the payment bond.
In order to make withholding of funds mandatory by the construction lender, the stop notice must be bonded 1-1/4 times the amount of the claim. (CC §8532).
NOTE: The stop notice must be served on the manager or other responsible officer or person at the office of the construction lender at the branch where the construction funds are being administered. (CC §8506 and 8532). If the job involves use of a joint control agency, a stop notice should be filed there as well, because there will be funds at both locations.
Amount already furnished and the total amount agreed to be furnished. (CC §8502).
The name and address of the claimant. If the claimant wants notice of election not to withhold by the owner and/or construction lender because of a payment bond, then the claimant must request the notice of election in writing and provide a self-addressed stamped envelope.
May not be filed within the first 10 days after service, but must be filed no later than 90 days after expiration of the stop notice filing period. (CC §8550 and 9582).
Notice of suit must be given within 5 days after commencement. (CC §8550(e) and 9504).
Cannot be brought to trial until 90 days after the lien period expires. (CC §8550(c) and 9500).
The court may exercise discretionary dismissal if the suit is not brought to trial within 2 years. (CC §8554).
Stop notice suits may be consolidated, and the owner and lender may compel claimants to implead in one action. (CC §8552).
If the original contract is filed with the county recorder and a payment bond in an amount not less than 50% of the contract price is recorded before a work of improvement is commenced, the court must, when it would be equitable to do so, restrict recovery on mechanic's liens to the amount found due from the owner to the contractor and render judgment against the surety for the deficiency. The intent of the law is to limit the owner's liability to his contract price (CC 8600-8602).
In order to recover on a payment bond, the claimant must have either recorded a lien or served the surety with written notice within the lien period. (CC §8612 and 8614). The notice must state the kind of labor, services, equipment or materials furnished, the name of the person to whom the labor, services, equipment or materials were furnished and the amount already furnished and the whole amount agreed to be furnished. (CC §8200). This notice may be served on the surety by personal service or certified or registered mail. (CC §8200).
Must be brought within six months after completion of the work of improvement. (CC §8610).
All persons who do not have a contractual relationship with the prime contractor except a person who performed actual labor for wages or an express trust fund described in (CC §9100).
Within 20 days after the claimant has first furnished labor, services, equipment or material to the jobsite. (CC §9300, 9302, 9303, 9304).
NOTE: If a claimant fails to give notice as required by (CC § 9300), a claimant may still give the required notice at any time thereafter. However, the claimant shall be entitled to assert a claim against a payment bond and file a stop notice only for labor, service, equipment or material furnished within 20 days prior to the service of the preliminary notice, and at any time thereafter.
Contractor and public agency. (CC §9300, 9302, 9303, 9304).
First-class mail, registered mail or certified mail, or personal service. (CC §9300(a). This also is different than private works where first-class mail is not allowed.
To the contractor at any place he maintains an office or conducts his business, or his residence. In case of any public works constructed by the Department of Public Works or the Department of General Services of the state, send to the office of the disbursing officer of the department constructing the work. (CC §9300, 9302, 9303, 9304).
If service by personal service, then at the time of service. If service by registered or certified mail, then service complete at time of deposit of mail. Code is silent as to when service complete if by first-class mail, but can be inferred that service not complete until receipt by contractor and public body. Therefore, recommend service by registered or certified mail. (CC §9300, 9302, 9303, 9304).
General description of labor, service, equipment or materials furnished or to be furnished and the name of the party to whom the same was furnished. (CC §9300, 9302, 9303, 9304).
Where the contract price to be paid any subcontractor exceeds $400.00 the failure to give the notice constitutes grounds for disciplinary action. (CC §9306).
The kind of labor, service, equipment or materials furnished or agreed to be furnished by the claimant.
The name of the person to or for whom the same was done or furnished.
The amount in value, as near as may be, of that already done or furnished and of the whole agreed to be done or furnished. (CC §8044, 8502, 8506, 9352, and 9354).
Although the statute does not require it, most stop notice forms also contain the amount paid and the balance due and the date from which interest is claimed.
A person that provides work for a public works contract, if the work is authorized by a direct contractor, subcontractor, architect, project manager, or other person having charge of all or part of the public works contract.
A person described in Section 4107.7 of the Public Contract Code.
How Served: Personal service, registered mail or certified mail. (CC §8044, 8502, 8506, 9352, and 9354).
In the case of any public work for state, file with the director of the department which let the contract. In the case of any other public work, then with the office of the controller, auditor or other public disbursing officer whose duty it is to make payments under the contract, or with the commissioners, managers provisions o trustees, officers, board of supervisors, board of trustees, common council or other body by whom the contract was awarded. (CC §8044, 8502, 8506, 9352, and 9354).
If a notice of completion, acceptance, or cessation is recorded, 30 days after recordation.
If a notice of completion, acceptance, or cessation is not recorded, 90 days after cessation or completion (CC §9356).
In order to finally perfect a stop notice, a suit must be brought. Suit on the stop notice is brought no sooner than 10 days after its service and no later than 90 days after the expiration of the time for filing stop notices. (CC §9502). Notice of suit must be given to the public body within five days after commencement. (CC §9504). Court has discretionary right to dismiss if not brought to trial within two years. (CC §9508). Claimants may join in one section. Separate stop notice suits may be consolidated. The public body may require interpleader. (CC §9506).
All claimants except laborers, trust funds and claimants with a direct contractual relationship with the original contractor. (CC §8034 and 9300).
Personal service or registered or certified mail. (CC §9562). Note: No first-class mail is allowed as is the case with regard to the 20 day notice relating to stop notices.
Where surety or general contractor maintains an office or conducts business or at his place of residence. (CC §9560).
In order to perfect the claim on the labor and material bond, the claimant must file suit after claimant has furnished last labor and material and no later than six months after period for filing stop notices expires. (CC §9558).
On Federal Public Works Projects, the sole source of recovery for an unpaid Subcontractor or supplier is the Bond mandadted by the Miller Act.
There are two procedural steps to enforcing a claim under the Miller Act Bond.
If the claimant does not have a direct contractual relationship with the prime contractor, then the claimant must, as a condition precedent to his right to sue on the bond, send a notice in writing to the prime contractor by registered mail within 90 days after the claimant last furnished labor or material to the job (40 USC §3133(b)(2)). Conversely, if you have a direct contractual relationship with the prime contractor, then no preliminary notice is necessary.
If you are not paid, then suit on the Miller Act bond must be brought in the U.S. Federal District Court where the job is located within one year after your last furnishing of labor and material(40 USC §3133(b)(1)).
If you are relying on the Miller Act bond in extending credit on a federal construction project, then you must take care that your customer is either the prime contractor or is a person with a contractual relationship with the prime contractor.
The Miller Act applies to federal construction projects.
If you do not have a direct contractual relationship with the prime contractor, you must give written notice of your claim by registered mail to the prime contractor within 90 days of your last furnishing of labor or material to the job.
Suit on the bond must be brought in federal court within one year after last furnishing of labor or material.

References: §8102
 §8204
 §8200
 §8200
 §8102
 §8202
 §8102
 §8202
 §8102
 §8202
 §8206
 §8118
 §8216
 §8216
 §8104
 §8412
 §8414
 §8416
 §8412
 §9200
 §8180
 §9200
 §8180
 §9200
 §8180
 §9200
 §8186
 §8460
 §8460
 §8462
 §8461
 §8044
 §8522
 §8532
 §8506
 §8502
 §8550
 §8550
 §8550
 §8554
 §8552
 §8612
 §8200
 §8200
 §8610
 §9100
 §9300
 § 9300
 §9300
 §9300
 §9300
 §9300
 §9300
 §9306
 §8044
 §8044
 §8044
 §9356
 §9502
 §9504
 §9508
 §9506
 §8034
 §9562
 §9560
 §9558
 §3133
 §3133