Most Preliminary Notice forms can be obtained from websites that provide free resources, and a few computer programs exist to handle the process on a nationwide basis.
In addition to protecting lien rights, Preliminary Notices ensure that parties at the top of the payment chain are made aware of who is working for them on a project.
Generally notice is required to be sent within a set number of days from the date that labor or materials were first furnished on a project.
Some states (Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee) require that Preliminary Notice be sent every month that payment is not received.
Other states (Nevada and Colorado) require that lien claimants send more than one type of Preliminary Notice.