Lien waiver guides
Plain-English answers to the lien-waiver questions general contractors actually have.
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July 28, 2026
Do you need a notary for a lien waiver?
Whether a lien waiver has to be notarized depends on your state and the type of document. Here's how to think about notarization — and why most progress waivers don't need it.
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July 21, 2026
When should a general contractor collect lien waivers? A draw-by-draw guide
Timing is everything with lien waivers. Here's when to collect conditional and unconditional waivers across the life of a project so you're never exposed.
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July 9, 2026
Lien waiver vs. lien release: what's the difference?
The two terms get used interchangeably, but they aren't always the same document. Here's what general contractors need to know about waivers, releases, and getting the paperwork right.
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June 23, 2026
What is a lien waiver? A general contractor's guide
What a lien waiver is, why general contractors collect them, the four types, and how to keep the paperwork from becoming a liability.
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June 18, 2026
Conditional vs. unconditional lien waivers: which to use and when
The difference between conditional and unconditional lien waivers, why sending the wrong one is dangerous, and a simple rule for which to use.
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June 12, 2026
How retainage changes a progress lien waiver
Why retainage has to be carved out of a progress lien waiver, what happens if it isn't, and how to keep the covered amount correct.
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June 5, 2026
5 lien waiver mistakes that expose general contractors
The common lien waiver mistakes — wrong type, missed waivers, retainage, advance waivers, and stale tracking — and how to avoid each.
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