LienFlash

    San Francisco Contractors: Don't Let The 20 days Rule Cost You Your Paycheck.

    If you are working on a project in San Francisco, CA, the clock is ticking. You must file your 20-Day Preliminary Notice within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials to the project. File late, and your lien rights are permanently limited to work performed in the 20 days before you file — you lose protection for all earlier work. Don't float the GC for free.

    Word on the Street in San Francisco

    "Between the permit delays and the traffic, I don't have time to deal with manual paperwork. Snapping a photo of my work order and letting LienFlash extract the details saves me three hours a week. My lien rights are locked in."

    — Sarah J., Rough Carpentry

    Navigating the San Francisco County Recording Process

    In California, your preliminary notice must be served correctly before you ever step foot in the San Francisco County Recorder's Office to file a formal lien. We handle the USPS Certified Mail delivery to the property owner so you have the exact legal proof required by San Francisco County judges if a payment dispute escalates.

    Already finished the work?

    Already finished the work and still not paid?

    No account needed. A preliminary notice protects jobs you're starting. If the work is done and the money hasn't come, the next step is a formal demand letter — statute-cited, mailed certified, with tracking and proof of delivery.

    $79 · Preview free

    Create your demand letter

    Choose your next move

    Which one is you right now?

    Already owed money?

    You did the work. They haven't paid.

    A formal demand letter citing your state's lien law, mailed USPS Certified with tracking and a Certificate of Mailing.

    $79 · Preview free before anything mails

    Send My Demand Letter

    Starting a new job?

    Protect it before there's a problem.

    File your preliminary notice in the first days of the job and keep your lien rights alive for the whole thing.

    $24.99 · $39.99 in Texas · Preview free

    Protect a New Job

    Not sure where you stand? Check your deadline free — no signup →

    Legal Disclaimer: This page provides general information about San Francisco mechanics lien law. It is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your specific situation.

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