Under the Florida Mechanics Lien Law any contractor, subcontractor, laborer, supplier or other person who helps to improve your property, but is riot paid for his/her work or supplies, has a right to enforce a claim against your property. This means that after a court hearing, your property could be sold by a court officer and the proceeds of the sale used to satisfy the indebtedness. This can happen even in you have paid your contractor in full if the subcontractors, laborers, or supplies remain unpaid.

To preserve their right to file a claim or lien against your property, certain claimants such as subcontractors or material suppliers are required to provide you with a document entitled “Preliminary Notice”. Original (at prime) contractors and laborers for wages do not have to provide this notice. A Preliminary Notice is not a lien against your property. Its purpose is to notify you of persons who may have a right to file a lien against your property if they are not paid. (Generally, the maximum time allowed for filing a claim or lien against your property is ninety (90) days after completion of your project.)