📋 Preliminary Notice Generator

Create California-compliant 20-day preliminary notices to protect your mechanics lien rights.

Why You Need This

In California, subcontractors, suppliers, and equipment rental companies must serve a preliminary notice within 20 days of first furnishing to preserve full lien rights.

What's Included

A proper California preliminary notice must include:

• Your company information
• Property address and description
• Owner's name and address
• General contractor's name and address
• Description of work/materials
• Estimated total price

California Civil Code §8200

This generator creates notices compliant with California Civil Code Section 8200 (formerly §3097).

Deadline Critical

Send within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials. Late notices only protect work done in the 20 days before sending.

Interactive Generator

California Preliminary Notice Generator

⚠️ Must be sent within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials

Your Information (Claimant)

Company Name *

Address

City

State

ZIP

Property Owner

Owner Name *

Address

General Contractor

GC Name

GC Address

Property Information

Property Address *

Project Description

Description of Work/Materials *

Estimated Total Price

First Furnish DateFirst day you furnished labor, materials, or equipment

Notice Date *

PRELIMINARY NOTICE

(California Civil Code Section 8200)

NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER

If bills are not paid in full for the labor, services, equipment, or materials furnished or to be furnished, a mechanic's lien leading to the loss, through court foreclosure proceedings, of all or part of your property being so improved may be placed against the property even though you have paid your contractor in full. You may wish to protect yourself against this consequence by (1) requiring your contractor to furnish a signed release by the person or firm giving you this notice before making payment to your contractor, or (2) any other method or device that is appropriate under the circumstances.

This notice is required by law to be served by the undersigned as a preliminary step toward filing a mechanic's lien, stop payment notice, and/or payment bond claim.

This is not a lien. This is not a reflection on the integrity of any contractor or subcontractor.

1. CLAIMANT INFORMATION:

Name:

2. TYPE OF WORK OR MATERIALS:

4. PERSON OR COMPANY HIRING CLAIMANT:

Name: ___________________________

5. PROJECT INFORMATION:

Job Location:

6. OWNER INFORMATION:

Name:

This notice was served on: 2/17/2026

By: ___________________________

Date: 2/17/2026

Related Resources

• Construction Lien Law Guide
• Lien Deadline Calculator
• Lien Waiver Generator