In Texas, original contractors (GCs), subcontractors, material suppliers, specialty material fabricators, design professionals, and landscapers all have the right to file a mechanics lien if they do not receive payment.
A subcontractor or supplier does not have a right to a direct lien against the improved real property. Rather, he may claim a lien on the real property only by subrogation to the rights of the general contractor (and any higher-tier subcontractors). See N.C. Gen. Stat.
CURRENT RULES. The general rule is that a contractor does not need a written contract to file a Texas mechanics liens. However, a written contract is required for all Texas mechanics lien claimants working on residential, homestead projects.
California's deadline to file a mechanics lien is 90 days after the completion of the project as a whole. However, if a notice of completion or cessation was filed, the deadline for subcontractors, suppliers, and other sub-tier parties is shortened to 30 days from the date the notice was filed.
The deadline for contractors and subcontractors to file their statement of mechanic's lien is four months (not 120 days) from the last date of work (exclusive of warranty work or other work performed free of charge), or from the last date that materials were supplied to the project.