Author Archive

LienPilot featured in Constructech Magazine

On September 7, 2010

LienPilot featured in Constructech Magazine

Zlien’s launch of LienPilot3 and new API (application programming interface) partnership with Avvo.com which allow users to reach out to a lawyer has been noticed by the Constructech Magazine.

Here is a little clip as to what has been published:

Zlien decided to create a solution, the LienPilot – is a Web-based application that allows contractors or suppliers to enter the state, project type, and important dates, and the technology calculates the notice and lien requirements for the project. The application will display deadlines, as well as send email reminders.

The remainder of the article mentions the Lien Application and how it helps simplify the process of managing mechanic lien deadlines and preliminary notice requirements across the country.

Posted in:     Lien Management, Our Services & Us  /  Tags: , ,   /   Leave a comment

Get Results With A Construction Lien

On April 8, 2010

Possible Consequences of A Construction Lien

Most, if not all, property owners are unaware of the consequences of having a lien filed upon their property.  Say they pay the prime contractor they hired in full and the contractor fails to pay those he has hired independently- the owner could still owe money to those workers even after paying the prime contractor.

How is that obligation enforced?   Well, a number of possible ways.

If a lien is filed on a particular property and/or parcel number and the property is later sold, for example, money received in the sale could actually be tied up and placed in escrow because of a mechanics lien filing.   Here are some other possible consequences of a mechanic’s lien:

- Sale can be forced on the property in order to pay for the debt (called a foreclosure of mechanics lien)
- Payment owed to contractor can be increased by attorneys fees and penalties
- Inability to borrow against the property or refinance
- Flag on the title of the property

Of course, each state is different in how mechanics liens are filed and treated.   It’s important to consult with an attorney and the laws of your state to get a full grip on how the mechanic’s lien process can help you.

What’s Key to Filing a Mechanics Lien?

On a Construction Project… deadlines are everything.  This is especially true when it comes to your companies right to file mechanics liens.

Is a preliminary notice due? How long do you have to file a lien? When must a lien be foreclosed?

Let us introduce to you an industry leading web-based lien document and deadline management solution: The Lien Pilot.

Our system is easy-to-use… and absolutely free.  Track and control your project data, important lien and notice deadlines, project contacts and more. Here are a few features of our proprietary Lien Pilot:

- Automatically calculate lien deadlines, preliminary notice deadlines, and even create custom deadlines
- Get RSS Feed reminders when deadlines are due
- Manage project contacts, job-site data, legal property descriptions and more
- Manage lien documents
- Easy access to an Zlien Wizard who (for a flat fee) can prepare and file liens, notices, cancellations and more

Learn more about how our Lien Management software works on the “How Zlien Works” page.

Posted in:     Lien Management, Mechanic Liens, Our Services & Us  /  Tags:   /   Leave a comment

Lien on Property or Lien on Funds? It’s Two Different Collection Tools

On June 12, 2009

Liens are one of the most powerful collection tools available to workers in the construction industry. Mechanics Liens are inexpensive and hard-hitting, and perhaps one of the most effective ways to collect on non-paying projects.

A properly filed construction lien can affect a property’s title, entangles multiple parties to your dispute, and helps get you paid.  Suppliers, prime/sub/sub-sub contractors and laborers all have the rights to lien a property they performed work on.

Bradley Coxe  Hodges & Coxe, PC law firm wrote some basic information within JD Supra explaining the two broad types of a mechanics’ lien-  the property or funds lien.

Property liens are the most popular and widely used in each state.  The homeowner is responsible for getting the worker paid for his completed job.  This, when filed and recorded correctly within the respective county or parish places a hold on the owner’s land preventing them from selling or turning over until the matter is determined by the courts.

The second type of lien is the lien on funds; which is when the payor, not the owner, is responsible to pay for the work.  Whomever performed work on the property that was not contracted directly with the owner can send a notice to the owner letting them know 1- they have not been paid  and 2- they should not pay whomever is in charge of getting the money (in most cases, this is the prime or general contractor)  The funds that are owed to the general or prime contractor is what has been liened.  If the general contractor has been paid after a notice was supplied to the owner, a sub-contractor can then lien the property.

Lien Smarter….Get Paid.

Posted in:     Collection Laws & Tips, Mechanic Liens  /  Tags:   /   Leave a comment

What Are the Chances of Getting Paid After Filing A Lien?

On June 3, 2009

In today’s economic climate, payment problems are plaguing construction projects.

Just recently, a prospective customer called us and asked:  what are the chances of getting paid after filing a lien?

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to provide a success percentage because each situation is different.

However, mechanics liens are far and away one of the most effective ways to secure payment for your company.

To put it simply then, we can only point out the obvious in response to this question.   The obvious answer is that filing a mechanics lien is a first, and oftentimes necessary, step to get paid on a problem project.

Without a recorded lien, your company is simply a bystander to the project’s payment obligations, and is pinning its company’s rights to payment on good fortune.

Filing a construction lien isn’t extraordinarily expensive, and it’s a step in the right direction for your organization.  Get to know the lien deadlines and laws for the state where you performed work, and then make a move to protect your company by securing your lien.

File a lien today and get payment to come your way!  Lien SMARTER…..to get paid.

Posted in:     Collection Laws & Tips  /  Tags: , ,   /   Leave a comment

Free Lien Laws, Resources & Forms Now Available

On January 6, 2009

Over the past few weeks, Zlien has been improving the design and function of its website. As reported through a separate release, we’ve added the new LienWizard to guide visitors through the lien process and the ordering of notices, liens and more. We’ve also added a “How Zlien Works” page as a comprehensive support site, where users can watch videos and screencast tutorials on how Zlien can help companies Lien Smarter.

We’re now happy to announce to our visitors that the “Our Services” section of the website has been launched.

This section of the site not only explains to visitors the services provided by Zlien, but it also provides free state-by-state lien law resources.

The site summarizes the notice requirements and lien deadlines for each state, provides you valuable links to other other resources on the web related to that state’s lien laws, has a collection of free lien and notice forms for easy download, and even provides you with a directory of some of that state’s construction attorneys.

The new services portion of Zlien.com is just another way for our company to help you Lien Smarter.

Posted in:     Web Updates  /  Tags: , , ,   /   Leave a comment
Next Page »

Mechanic’s Lien Solution

  • The most potent tool you have to manage receivables is to preserve, perfect and enforce your mechanics lien and bond claim rights. But, it's so complex? Zlien is a revolutionary enterprise offering to monitor your lien deadlines and automatically file required documents.

Contact Zlien

  • 4819 Prytania Street
    New Orleans, LA 70115
    (866) 720-5436
    email: mail@zlien.com