Free Preliminary Notice Forms
When a construction project begins, it is important for parties to send preliminary notice. Depending on where your project is located, this may be called a prelim, pre-lien, Notice to Owner (NTO), Notice of Furnishing, or something else. On this page you’ll find free preliminary notice forms for every state and project type.
Benefits of sending preliminary notice
Protect your payment
Most states require contractors and suppliers to send preliminary notice in order to protect their right to file a mechanics lien or bond claim. The specter of a mechanics lien is an incredibly powerful motivator to the person controlling the checkbook. Unfortunately, some construction businesses don’t realize how powerful a preliminary notice can be until after they get burned by a customer.
Get paid faster
Even in states or on projects where it’s not required, sending a notice at the beginning of a project is essential to improving payment speed. A preliminary notice ensures that the parties who control payment – the property owner, lender, GC, etc. – know you’re on the project and expect to be paid.
The people managing a construction project generally want to make sure payments flow smoothly, so they can avoid mechanics liens and other claims on the project. Property owners and project managers love to receive preliminary notice from subs and suppliers, because it helps them organize everyone on the job and identify who needs to get paid. In fact, construction parties that send preliminary notice are often at the front of the payment line.
Improve communication
At its core, a preliminary notice a communication tool. It informs others on the project about your company and the work or materials you are providing. It establishes a point of contact for others on the project to communicate with in case there are any schedule changes, pay application problems, etc. Construction projects can get complicated pretty quickly. The bigger a project gets, the harder it can be for those in charge to communicate effectively with everyone.
Be more professional
Sending preliminary notice on every job is a professional move, especially when a construction business uses a standard form and process for communication. It lets your customer know that you value their time and money, and are serious about your own.
Choosing the right preliminary notice form
Preliminary notice requirements vary by state and the type of construction project. Most states require preliminary notice on residential and commercial jobs. Notice may also be required on state and federal construction projects. Find your state on the list below, and choose the form that matches your project type or state requirement.
Choose your state on the interactive US map to view preliminary notice requirements
If your state or project doesn’t require a specific preliminary notice form, you can use any form that suits your needs. The Generic Preliminary Notice Form and Project Awareness Letter are both simple, customizable options that contractors and suppliers can use to improve communication and speed up payment.
You can make this process easier by using a preliminary notice service that tracks notice deadlines, researches project data, and sends notices on your behalf. We’ve reviewed the 10 Best Preliminary Notice Services in the US.
Free Preliminary Notice Forms For Every State & Project
Below are free preliminary notice forms for construction projects across the United States, listed alphabetically by state. These forms were prepared by construction lawyers to meet the statutory requirements in each state, where applicable.
- Alabama Notice to Owner Before Work Form
- Alaska Notice of Right to Lien Form
- Arizona 30% Excess Preliminary Notice Form
- Arizona Preliminary 20-Day Notice Form
- Arkansas Notice to Owner and Contractor Form
- Arkansas Pre-Construction Notice to Owner Form
- California 20-Day Preliminary Notice Form
- Colorado Notice to Owner Form
- Florida Notice to Owner Form
- Generic Preliminary Notice Form
- Georgia Notice to Contractor Form
- Georgia Preliminary Notice of Lien Rights Form
- Georgia Public Works Notice to Contractor Form
- Idaho Residential Disclosure Notice Form
- Illinois General Contractor's Sworn Statement Form
- Illinois Notice to Owner form
- Indiana Notice of Personal Liability Form
- Indiana Pre-Lien Notice to Owner Form
- Iowa Notice by Sub-Subcontractor Form
- Iowa Notice by Subcontractor to Residential Owner Form
- Iowa Notice of Lien Rights by Subcontractors Form
- Iowa Notice to Contractor Public Project Form
- Iowa Prime Contractor Notice to Owner Form
- Kansas Warning Statement Form
- Kentucky Notice to Owner Form
- Louisiana Design Professional Notice Form
- Louisiana Monthly Notice of Non-Payment Form
- Louisiana Notice of Lease - State Projects Form
- Louisiana Notice of Lease Form for Private Projects
- Louisiana Notice of Lien Rights Form
- Louisiana Notice to Owner of Obligation Form
- Maine Notice to Owner Form
- Massachusetts Notice of Identification Form
- Massachusetts Notice of Subcontract Form
- Massachusetts Notice of Written Contract Form
- Massachusetts Preliminary Notice Form
- Michigan Notice of Furnishing Form
- Minnesota Lien Claimant’s Notice Form
- Minnesota Notice of Lien Rights Form for Prime Contractors
- Mississippi Pre-Lien Notice for Residential Projects Form
- Mississippi Preliminary Notice Form
- Missouri Notice of Rights Form
- Missouri Notice of Use of Equipment Form
- Missouri Notice to Owner Form
- Montana Notice of Right to Claim Lien - Form Download
- Nebraska Notice of Right to Assert Lien Form
- Nevada GC's Notice to Owner/Subcontractors Form
- Nevada Notice of Right to Lien Form
- New Jersey Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien Form
- New Mexico Preliminary Notice Form
- New York Demand for Notice Form
- North Carolina Notice of Contract Form
- North Carolina Notice of Subcontract Form
- North Carolina Notice to Lien Agent Form
- Ohio Notice of Furnishing Form (private projects)
- Oklahoma Homeowner Notice Form
- Oklahoma Pre-Lien Notice Form
- Oregon Information Notice to Owner Form
- Oregon Notice of Right to Lien Form
- Pennsylvania Notice of Furnishing Form | Free Downloadable Template
- Project Awareness Letter Form
- Rhode Island Notice of Possible Mechanics Lien - Form
- South Carolina Notice of Contract Form
- South Carolina Notice of Furnishing Labor and Materials Form
- South Carolina Notice of SubContract Form
- South Dakota Location Notice Form
- South Dakota Notice of Furnishing Form
- Tennessee Notice of Non-Payment Form
- Tennessee Notice to Owner Form
- Tennessee Sworn Affidavit to Owner Form
- Texas Affidavit of Contract - Homestead Form
- Texas Non-Residential Monthly Notice Form (2022)
- Texas Notice of Claim for Unpaid Retainage Form (2022)
- Texas Notice of Contractual Retainage Form
- Texas Notice of Specially Fabricated Materials Form
- Texas Residential Monthly Notice Form (2022)
- Virginia 43-11 Notice Form | Free Downloadable Template
- Virginia Notice to Mechanics Lien Agent Form
- Washington Model Disclosure Statement Form
- Washington Notice to Contractor Form
- Washington Notice to Owner (Preliminary Notice) Form
- Wisconsin Notice of Lien Rights by Prime Contractor Form
- Wisconsin Subcontractor Identification Notice Form