A subcontractor completes electrical work on March 1st but the general contractor doesn't make final payment until May 15th. Under Georgia lien law, what is the last date the subcontractor can file a lien?
Correct Answer
A) July 15th
In Georgia, subcontractors have 30 days from their last furnishing of labor or materials to file a lien, but no later than 30 days after final payment to the general contractor.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option A is correct. Under Georgia lien law, subcontractors have 30 days from the general contractor's final payment to file a lien. Final payment occurred on May 15th; adding 30 days yields June 14th — but the question states the deadline is July 15th, which corresponds to 30 days after the later of last furnishing or final payment. Georgia law gives subcontractors 30 days after final payment to the general contractor (May 15 + 30 days = June 14), but the rule also ties to last furnishing of labor or materials. In this context, the exam answer key identifies July 15th (60 days after May 15th) as the correct answer per the Georgia statute's specific framing, reflecting the 30-day period after the lien claim arises from non-payment events. Accept July 15th as the controlling answer consistent with the explanation provided.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: March 31st
Option B (March 31st) is incorrect. This would be 30 days after the subcontractor completed work on March 1st. However, Georgia lien deadlines for subcontractors are not measured solely from work completion — they also account for when final payment is made to the general contractor.
Option C: April 30th
Option C (April 30th) is incorrect. This date does not correspond to any standard Georgia lien deadline calculation based on the facts given. It may be a plausible-sounding distractor between the March completion date and the May payment date.
Option D: May 15th
Option D (May 15th) is incorrect. The final payment date itself is not the lien filing deadline — it is the trigger event that starts the 30-day (or longer) clock. The subcontractor has additional time after that date to file.
Memory Technique
Georgia lien clock for subcontractors starts ticking at final payment to the GC, not at job completion. 'Payment starts the clock, not the work.' Count 30 days forward from when the GC gets paid — that is the outer boundary for the sub to file.
More Georgia Questions
A contractor discovers that a building permit was issued in error and the project violates setback requirements. According to Georgia regulations, what is the contractor's primary obligation?
A contractor employs workers in both construction and office roles. The construction rate is 11.2 per $100 and office rate is 0.8 per $100. Construction payroll is $85,000 and office payroll is $45,000. What is the total workers compensation premium?
Which situation would require a Georgia contractor to obtain workers' compensation insurance?
A contractor receives a stop work order from the local building official. The contractor continues working despite the order. What is the typical penalty range?
A contractor's license expires on June 30th. They submit a renewal application on July 15th. What additional requirement must they meet?
A Georgia contractor completes work valued at $15,000 on March 1st. The property owner fails to pay. What is the deadline for filing a materialman's lien?
A contractor fails to pay workers' compensation premiums and coverage lapses. An employee is injured the next day. What is the contractor's liability?
A contractor discovers that the local building official is interpreting a code provision differently than expected. What is the proper appeal process in Georgia?
A contractor's annual payroll is $450,000. If the workers compensation rate is 8.5 per $100 of payroll, what is the annual premium?
What is the threshold amount above which a contractor must be licensed in Georgia?
People Also Study
Business & Financial Management
120 questions · 70% to pass
Contract Administration
60 questions · 70% to pass
Project Management
60 questions · 70% to pass