HouseChalk
Back to glossary
Lien waiver
A lien waiver is a document that says a contractor or supplier has been paid and will not file a lien for that payment.
Why it matters
Lien waivers protect homeowners from paying twice for the same work.
Where people get this wrong
A homeowner can pay the builder and still get a lien if a subcontractor is not paid. Lien waivers should match the payment amount and timeframe.
Real-world example
A homeowner pays the builder, then months later a supplier files a lien because the supplier was never paid. Lien waivers help prevent that trap.
Where this hits your build
This comes up early, before construction starts. It affects your contract, your budget, or both. Misunderstanding it can cost you money or leverage.
Most people do not just struggle with terms. They struggle with the decisions tied to them.
See how HouseChalk helps with the decisions behind terms like this