Mechanics Liens in Mississippi — Protect Your Property

One of the most misunderstood risks in home improvement: even if you pay your general contractor in full, your property can still be liened if the GC fails to pay their subcontractors or material suppliers.

How a lien works

Subcontractors and suppliers have 90 days from their last day of work to file a lien against your property. You could end up paying twice — once to the GC, and again to the unpaid sub who puts a lien on your house.

Three ways to protect yourself

• Get lien waivers — When you make final payment, require a signed lien waiver from the GC and ideally from major subcontractors.
• Hire licensed contractors — Unlicensed contractors forfeit their right to file a mechanics lien.
• Make checks payable to the GC only — Pay the GC and get lien waivers in return.

The five-minute version

1. Put the lien waiver requirement in the contract before work starts.
2. Collect signed waivers with each progress payment.
3. Get final lien waivers before the last payment.
4. Confirm the contractor's license with the MSBOC record — an unlicensed contractor looking to cut corners is more likely to leave subs unpaid.

Lien waivers are standard practice. Any contractor who treats them as an insult should be a red flag.