A material supplier delivers $3,500 worth of lumber to a job site on January 10th. The supplier is not paid and wants to file a mechanics lien. What is the deadline for recording the lien?
Correct Answer
B) April 10th
Material suppliers have 90 days from the date they last furnished materials to record a mechanics lien. January 10th + 90 days = April 10th.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Under California Civil Code §8412, a claimant who is not the direct contractor must record a mechanics lien within 90 days after the date they last furnished labor or materials. January 10 + 90 days = April 10th. The supplier's last furnishing date is January 10th, so the deadline is April 10th.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: July 10th
Incorrect. July 10th would be 180 days from January 10th, which is double the actual 90-day window. No California provision gives material suppliers 180 days to record a lien.
Option C: February 9th
Incorrect. February 9th is only 30 days from January 10th. This is too short — 30 days relates to other construction notice deadlines (e.g., some preliminary notice periods), not the mechanics lien recording deadline for suppliers.
Option D: March 11th
Incorrect. March 11th is approximately 60 days from January 10th. While 60 days is the deadline for direct contractors (prime contractors) to record a lien after project completion, material suppliers and subcontractors have 90 days from their last work/delivery date.
Memory Technique
Suppliers get '90 days' — think '9-0' like a right angle (90°), which is a square corner, like a solid supplier standing their ground. Prime contractors get 60 days from completion. 90 > 60, suppliers get more time.
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A general contractor receives a $25,000 progress payment from the owner. The contractor has $8,000 in subcontractor invoices and $3,000 in material supplier invoices that are due. Under California prompt payment law, how long does the contractor have to pay the subcontractors?