A preliminary notice is a written notice that contractors and suppliers must send (typically within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials) to preserve mechanics lien rights. The notice typically goes to the property owner, the GC, and the construction lender, depending on state law. Without a timely preliminary notice, lien rights are forfeit in most states regardless of the actual amount owed.
The form, content, and recipient list vary by state. California requires a 20-day Preliminary Notice on every project. Texas requires monthly notices to specific parties. Florida has a Notice to Owner requirement. Some states have no preliminary notice requirement but instead use notice of furnishing or notice of intent to lien at later stages. Lien-rights software services (Levelset/SiteMate) automate preliminary notice compliance across states. Missing this notice is one of the single biggest dollar mistakes a small subcontractor or supplier can make, since it forfeits the lien remedy entirely on the project.