Lien Waiver

A signed document where a contractor (or sub or supplier) gives up their right to file a mechanic's lien on the property — usually in exchange for payment.

A lien waiver is what a property owner or GC collects to make sure the contractor they just paid can't come back and file a mechanic's lien for that same work. There are four common types:

Conditional Partial — waives lien rights up to the amount paid, conditional on the check clearing.

Unconditional Partial — waives lien rights up to the amount paid, period. Sign only after the money has actually landed.

Conditional Final — waives all lien rights through the final payment, conditional on the check clearing.

Unconditional Final — waives all lien rights through the final payment, period. The riskiest to sign without verifying payment first.

The form is usually a single page. Rules vary by state — California, Texas, and Florida have specific statutory forms you have to match.

Examples in the field

• A GC pays a sub the second-month draw and collects a Conditional Partial waiver matching that amount.
• A homeowner makes final payment to the GC and requires Unconditional Final waivers from the GC plus every sub and major supplier before handing over the check.

Related

• Mechanic's Lien — A legal claim a contractor can file against a property when they haven't been paid for work or materials provided to that property.
• Retainage — A percentage of each progress payment (typically 5-10%) that the owner or GC withholds until the job is fully complete and accepted.
• Draw Schedule — A pre-agreed payment schedule for a construction project, tied to milestones or percentage of completion.
• Compare contractor CRMs — FieldKrew against Jobber, Housecall Pro and ServiceTitan
• Preliminary Notice (NTO / 20-day notice) — A notice the contractor or supplier sends early in a job, preserving the right to later file a mechanic's lien if they aren't paid.