Mistakes And Builders' Liens: Fixable Or Fatal?

Builders' liens are a great tool for the unpaid contractor, subcontractor and supplier. It gives you leverage over a project, even if you're only owed a small amount. But the simple one-page form is much more complicated than it appears, and what might be seen as a harmless mistake can be fatal to your lien. The wrong number or word might be enough to invalidate your lien, remove your leverage and catapult you into the pit with other unsecured creditors.

Builders' Liens: the basics

The builders' lien form is commonly used in the construction industry. The Alberta government has the form online. A lien claimant fills in the blanks:

• Who did the work, the type of work they did, for whom, and how much they're owed;