How do I report a contractor in PA?

Pennsylvanians who believe they have been the victim of a home improvement contractor or disreputable business practices should contact the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555 or by email at scams attorneygeneral.gov or visit www.attorneygeneral.gov to file a complaint.

US Legal Forms
Forms Catalog
Liens
Pennsylvania Notice to Contractor - Individual

Pennsylvania Notice to Contractor - Individual

Category:

Liens - Construction - Mechanics

State:

Pennsylvania

Control #:

PA-05-09

Format:

Instant download

This form is part of a form package!

Get all related documents in one bundle, so you don’t have to search separately.

View package

What this document covers

The Notice to Contractor - Individual is a legal document used by property owners to formally address claims made by subcontractors. This form allows owners to notify the principal contractor of a lien claim and request that the contractor either settle the claim or defend the owner against it. This form is essential for protecting the rights of both property owners and subcontractors, ensuring that disputes are handled in a legal manner.

Key parts of this document

Owner's information: Identifies the property owner issuing the notice.
Property description: Specifies the property undergoing construction or alteration.
Claim details: Outlines the claim made by the subcontractor.
Response options: Provides two pathways for the contractor: settlement or defense.

Notice by Contractor to Claimant of Dispute of Claimant's Claim Described in Stop Notice

View this form

Notice of Construction

View this form

Basic Stop Notice

View this form

Independent Contractor Agreement

View this form

Independent Contractor Agreement for Construction

View this form

When this form is needed

This form should be used when a property owner receives a Preliminary Notice or Formal Notice of Intent to Claim Lien from a subcontractor. It is a proactive measure to ensure the contractor acknowledges the claim and takes appropriate action to either settle it or defend the owner legally.

Who can use this document

Property owners who have engaged subcontractors for construction work.
Subcontractors seeking to ensure their claims are taken seriously by the principal contractor.
Legal professionals advising clients on property and construction-related matters.

Steps to complete this form

Identify the parties involved: Fill in the ownerâs name and the subcontractorâs claim details.
Specify the property: Clearly describe the property undergoing construction.
State the claim: Indicate the nature of the subcontractor's claim and the relief sought.
Choose a response option: Decide whether the contractor will settle the claim or undertake a defense.
Sign and date the form: Ensure that all parties involved sign to validate the notice.

Does this document require notarization?

This form does not typically require notarization unless specified by local law. However, completing it accurately according to state regulations is essential for it to be legally valid.

Built-in online Word editor

Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.

Export easily

Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.

E-sign your document

Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.

Notarize online 24/7

If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.

Store your document securely

We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.

Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.

Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.

Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.

If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.

We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.

Mistakes to watch out for

Failing to include the complete property description.
Not properly identifying the subcontractor's claim.
Overlooking required signatures from involved parties.

Benefits of using this form online

Easy access: Download the form instantly from any location.
Editability: Fill in the required fields at your convenience.
Reliability: Forms are drafted by licensed attorneys ensuring legal compliance.

Looking for another form?

This field is required

Construction Lien Mechanics Lien Lien Waiver Release of Lien Pre-Lien Notice

Master Use License

View this form

Pre Employment Checklist

Fast Packet Services Payment Plan Agreement

View this form

Requested Permission to Quote From Intervi...

View this form

Contract or Agreement with Tutor

View this form

Annual Minutes

View this form

Form B Criminal appeal transcript information

View this form

Continuous Marriage Affidavit by Surviving...

View this form

Form popularity

FAQ

A notice of completion must be served by a project owner within 10 days of the date the notice of completion is filed for recording and must be served on the following: The direct contractor(s); and. Anyone who has served the project owner with a preliminary notice.

Contractors can legally only ask for 1/3 of the contract price up front. It's considered fraud if a substantial portion of the work is not performed in the time requested, or more than 45 days go by without work being done.

A Notice of Completion Is: Other parties higher up on the payment chain, like prime contractors or general contractors, can file a Notice of Completion too. Here's the bottom line. When an owner files a Notice of Completion, the mechanics lien deadline is shortened.

Fortunately, Pennsylvania does a fairly good job of providing options to resolve your contractor dispute. Your first and least expensive option is to make a formal complaint to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office. If you go to the website attorneygeneral.gov there is an option to File a Complaint.

Pennsylvanians who believe they have been the victim of a home improvement contractor or disreputable business practices should contact the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555 or by email at scams@attorneygeneral.gov or visit www.attorneygeneral.gov to file a complaint.

Please refer to www.pals.pa.gov/verify to check the status of a license or permit.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors (or their employees).

Notice of Intent to Enforce Forfeiture Provisions of Contact for Deed

View this form

Agreement or Contract for Deed for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate a/k/a Land or Executory Contract

View this form

Final Notice of Forfeiture and Request to Vacate Property under Contract for Deed

View this form

Buyer's Request for Accounting from Seller under Contract for Deed

View this form

Buyer's Notice of Intent to Vacate and Surrender Property to Seller under Contract for Deed

View this form

Trusted and secure by over 3 million people of the world’s leading companies

Notice to Contractor - Individual

Note: This summary is not intended to be an all inclusive discussion of Pennsylvania's construction or mechanic's lien laws, but does include basic provisions.

What is a construction or mechanic's lien?

Every State permits a person who supplies labor or materials for a construction project to claim a lien against the improved property. While some states differ in their definition of improvements and some states limit lien claims to buildings or structures, most permit the filing of a document with the local court that puts parties interested in the property on notice that the party asserting the lien has a claim. States differ widely in the method and time within which a party may act on their lien. Also varying widely are the requirements of written notices between property owners, contractors, subcontractors and laborers, and in some cases lending institutions. As a general rule, these statutes serve to prevent unpleasant surprises by compelling parties who wish to assert their legal rights to put all parties who might be interested in the property on notice of a claim or the possibility of a claim. This by no means constitutes a complete discussion of construction lien law and should not be interpreted as such. Parties seeking to know more about construction laws in their State should always consult their State statutes directly.

Who can file a lien in this State?

Pennsylvania law permits contractors and subcontractors to claim a lien for labor or materials furnished in the erection or construction, or the alteration or repair of the improvement, provided that the amount of the claim shall exceed five hundred dollars ($500).

How long does a party have to file a lien?

Parties seeking to claim a lien must do so with the filing of a Lien Claim form within four (4) months of the claimant's last work. Thereafter, a lien claimant has two (2) years to bring an action to enforce the lien.

What kind of notice is required prior to filing a lien?

Subcontractors involved in the alteration or repair of property must file a Preliminary Notice of Intent to File Lien prior to the completion of work. Thereafter all subcontractors, even those involved in alteration or repair, must file a Formal Notice of Intent to File Lien at least thirty (30) days before a Lien Claim is filed.

By what method is a lien filed in this State?

A Lien Claim form is filed with the prothonotary of the county where the property is situated, and must be filed within four (4) months of the completion of work. Written notice of the filing must be served on the property owner within one (1) month after filing and recorded within twenty (20) days of service.

How long is a lien good for?

An action to obtain judgment upon a claim filed shall be commenced within two (2) years from the date of the filing.

Are liens assignable?

Pennsylvania statutes on construction liens do not specifically speak to whether liens may be assigned to other parties.

Does this State require or provide for a notice from subcontractors and laborers to property owners?

Yes. Subcontractors are required in some cases to provide two notices to the property owner in the form of a Preliminary Notice of Intent to File Lien for alterations and repairs and a Formal Notice of Intent to File Lien. In addition, Pennsylvania law provides that a contractor or subcontractor can issue a written waiver of all lien claims to the property owner.

Does this State require or provide for a notice from the property owner to the contractor, subcontractor, or laborers?

Pennsylvania law provides for a notice from the property owner to the contractor advising the contractor that a subcontractor has provided the owner with notice that a lien may be filed. The notice also demands that the contractor pay the claim or undertake to defend it.

Does this State require a notice prior to starting work, or after work has been completed?

No. Pennsylvania statutes do not require a Notice of Commencement or a Notice of Completion as required in some other States.

Does this State permit a person with an interest in property to deny responsibility for improvements?

No. Pennsylvania statutes do not have a provision which permits the denial of responsibility for improvements.

Is a notice attesting to the satisfaction of a lien provided for or required?

No. Pennsylvania statutes do not provide for or require that a lien holder who has been paid produce or file a notice to that effect.

By what method does the law of this State permit the release of a lien?

As stated above, Pennsylvania statutes have no specific provision for the release of a lien, other than the automatic dissolution that occurs if suit to enforce the lien is not brought within two (2) years. However, Pennsylvania law does permit a contractor or property owner to issue a written notice to a subcontractor demanding that the subcontractor file a lien claim within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notice or forever be barred from doing so.