Frequently asked questions
Lien waivers, the QuickBooks integration, e-signing, pricing, and security.
- What is a lien waiver?
- A lien waiver is a signed document in which a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier gives up (waives) their right to file a mechanics lien against a property, typically in exchange for payment. General contractors collect waivers from their subs to prove the property is clear of potential liens for work they have already paid for.
- What is the difference between a conditional and an unconditional lien waiver?
- A conditional waiver only takes effect once payment actually clears — it is safe to exchange before or alongside a payment. An unconditional waiver takes effect the moment it is signed, whether or not payment has cleared, so it should only be signed after payment is confirmed. ClearLien tracks the open conditional waiver and auto-drafts the matching unconditional waiver once the payment clears in QuickBooks.
- How does ClearLien automate waivers from QuickBooks?
- ClearLien connects to QuickBooks Online and watches for subcontractor bill payments. When a payment clears, it matches the payment to exactly one open conditional waiver for that sub, amount, and job, then drafts the unconditional waiver pre-filled with the vendor, amount, and through-date. If a payment is ambiguous, it is flagged for your review rather than guessed.
- Does ClearLien work with QuickBooks Desktop?
- ClearLien works with QuickBooks Online. QuickBooks Desktop is not supported today.
- Which states’ lien waiver forms are supported?
- ClearLien supports Minnesota today, with additional statutory states rolling out. Where a state mandates specific statutory waiver language, ClearLien reproduces that operative text; ClearLien is a document-automation tool and is not a substitute for legal advice.
- Do my subcontractors need an account to sign?
- No. ClearLien sends a no-account signing link your subcontractor can open on any phone or computer. They sign in seconds, and the signed PDF is stored on your account with a full audit trail.
- Is an electronically signed lien waiver legally binding?
- Electronic signatures are generally recognized under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws. Every ClearLien signature records the timestamp, signer IP address, device, and an explicit intent record, and the signed document is stored permanently and tamper-evident with a content hash. ClearLien provides this as a document-automation tool and not as legal advice — confirm requirements for your situation with a licensed attorney.
- Do I need DocuSign?
- No. E-signature is built in. Your subs sign through a secure no-account link — there is no separate DocuSign account, seat, or per-envelope fee.
- Can I create a lien waiver for free?
- Yes. ClearLien offers a free, no-account lien waiver generator — choose the waiver type (conditional or unconditional, progress or final), fill in the details, and download a ready-to-sign PDF. It produces a general waiver, not a state-specific statutory form, so confirm your state’s requirements. It’s linked as “Free generator” in the site header and footer. The paid product goes further: it drafts the right waiver automatically from your QuickBooks payment and collects the signature.
- How does ClearLien handle retainage?
- On progress waivers, ClearLien automatically excludes withheld retainage from the covered amount, so the waiver reflects only what has actually been paid. This is enforced as a correctness requirement, not an optional checkbox.
- How much does ClearLien cost?
- ClearLien is $99 per month, flat — unlimited projects, subcontractors, and waivers. Every plan includes a 30-day free trial and you can cancel anytime.
- Is my data secure?
- Each company’s data is fully isolated. The QuickBooks connection uses Intuit’s official OAuth (no password sharing), access tokens are encrypted at rest, and signed documents are stored permanently and tamper-evident with a content hash.
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