Knowledge. Deadlines. Leverage.
Stay informed. Protect your rights. Get paid. Our resources help Texas contractors understand the rules, meet deadlines, and preserve their right to payment.
Featured Resources
Important notice and filing deadlines for residential and commercial projects.
Read More →The top reasons liens get thrown out — and how to make sure yours doesn't.
Read More →Understanding your rights when payment has already moved up the chain.
Read More →How trust fund laws protect contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
Read More →Key differences every contractor needs to know before filing a lien in Texas.
Read More →Texas Property Code
Chapter 53 of the Texas Property Code governs mechanic's liens, bond claims, and payment rights for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. It's one of the most powerful tools available — but only if you use it correctly.
Notice deadlines must be followed exactly or rights are lost.
Correct documentation is required to preserve your rights.
Lien rights can be lost permanently if timelines are missed.
Compliance isn't optional — it's your strongest negotiating tool.
Official Texas Law Links
In Texas, your right to file a mechanic's lien depends entirely on whether you sent the correct notices at the correct times. Missing even one deadline can permanently eliminate your right to payment — no matter how much you're owed.
Filing a mechanic's lien is a powerful move — but it's only effective if done correctly. These are the most common reasons liens are invalidated in Texas:
Notices must go to the right parties — owner, GC, and lender — in the correct order. Missing one voids your claim.
Even one day late can permanently forfeit your lien rights. Texas courts are strict about deadlines.
Overstating your lien amount — even accidentally — can make the entire lien fraudulent and unenforceable.
Sub-contractors who skip the monthly fund-trapping notice lose their right to a lien for that month's work.
This is one of the most common and frustrating situations subcontractors face. The owner paid the general contractor, the GC kept the money, and now you're unpaid. What are your options?
Under Texas law, you may still have rights even if the owner has paid the GC — especially if you sent proper fund-trapping notices. The Construction Trust Fund Act (Chapter 162) makes it illegal for a GC or sub to misapply construction funds. This can create personal liability for the individuals involved, not just the company.
The key is whether you sent your fund-trapping notices on time. If you did, the owner may still be liable to you regardless of what they paid the GC.
Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 162 — the Construction Trust Fund Act — is a powerful but often overlooked protection for subcontractors and suppliers.
Key points every contractor should know:
Texas lien law treats residential and commercial projects differently. Getting it wrong means your notices — and your lien rights — are void.