In California, failing to serve a preliminary notice is the equivalent of giving up your right to get paid. Protects you from day one and through the entire lien waiver cycle.
Drop a permit, invoice, contract, spreadsheet — anything with your project info. nøliens will prefill as much as possible to get you on your way in just a few minutes.
We create your account automatically with a magic link — no passwords, no credit card required.
California law requires anyone who is not a direct contractor with the property owner to serve a preliminary notice within 20 days of starting work.
No preliminary notice means no mechanics lien. No mechanics lien means no leverage. And no leverage means the GC who owes you wins.
Drop a file or enter the info manually. We generate a state-compliant notice, print it, and send it via USPS Certified Mail with tracking. You are protected.
A real California 20-Day Preliminary Notice generated by nøliens — with sample data.
nøliens membership gets you full automation and deadline tracking with unlimited projects.
A late preliminary notice still protects you — but only for work performed within 20 days before the notice was served and everything going forward. The longer you wait, the less retroactive coverage you get.
You cannot lien retroactively beyond 20 days from service. That’s why filing today — even late — is always better than not filing at all.
File Your Notice Now →You might think that the GC or owner might not give you work because of this, but in reality a served preliminary notice is not adversarial. It is not a threat. It keeps everyone honest, sets clear expectations, and makes the payment process smoother for both sides.
The property owner knows who is working on the project and the GC is paying the bills. The contractor has proof of their involvement, and keeps his subs protected. Everybody wins.
No more guessing. Dramatically lower risk. Just protection from day one.
Send Your Notice →Create a prelim in minutes. No passwords, no credit card. And full lien waiver management — because a prelim is only as strong as the waivers that follow it.
