After a major Sacramento area storm, a General Contractor completed a roof replacement on a commercial building in Sacramento County. The property owners decided they do not want to pay for it, so they decided to record a construction lien against the property.
Michael Walker from TRADITION LIEN SERVICE decided to record the CA Mechanics Lien for this General Contractor in person at the Sacramento Clerk/Recorders office since it’s fairly close to our headquarters. He was in and out of the building in less than five minutes.
Recording fees are $18.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. If the pages are Legal size (8-1/2” x 14”), add an additional $3.00 fee per page. In addition to the street address of the property, you must include an identifying cross reference, like APN (Assessor’s Parcel Number) or the complete legal description from the deed.
The Clerk’s Office will keep the original copy of the lien for about two weeks before they return it to you. We suggest if you are recording in person you take a copy of the lien and they will add their “conformed copy” sticker to it with the recording information.
If you are mailing in your Mechanics Lien, you still should request a conformed copy. Be sure to include self-addressed stamped envelope for the conformed copy. They do not need a self-addressed stamped envelope for the original copy to be returned, as that is included in the recording fees.
Once a CALIFORNIA Mechanics Lien is recorded, as Claimant you are required to file suit to foreclose on the lien within ninety (90) days from date the CALIFORNIA Mechanics Lien was recorded. This deadline can be extended for up to a total of one (1) year with the consent of all legal parties by filing a CALIFORNIA Notice Of Credit for extension.
