Under California Civil Code Section 8000-9566 (Mechanics Lien Law), what is the time limit for a contractor to file a mechanics lien after completion of work?
Correct Answer
A) 90 days
California Civil Code requires mechanics liens to be filed within 90 days after completion of the work of improvement.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
California Civil Code requires that a mechanics lien be filed within 90 days after completion of the work of improvement when no notice of completion or cessation has been recorded. This 90-day window applies to prime/direct contractors and runs from the date of project completion.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 120 days
120 days is not the standard lien filing deadline. No California mechanics lien provision extends the window to 120 days; this number is not found in Civil Code Sections 8000–9566 as a lien recording deadline.
Option C: 60 days
60 days is the deadline that applies to subcontractors and materialmen when an owner has recorded a notice of completion — not the general deadline for contractors when no such notice exists. This is a common mix-up between the two lien deadline scenarios.
Option D: 30 days
30 days is too short. While 30 days appears in prompt payment provisions, it is not the lien filing window. A 30-day deadline would leave contractors almost no time to evaluate payment disputes and decide to lien.
Memory Technique
Think '90 days = no notice.' When nothing is recorded to trigger an earlier deadline, the contractor has the full 90-day window. If a notice of completion IS recorded, subs drop to 60 days and primes drop to 90 days from the notice date.
More California Questions
A homeowner signs a $15,000 home improvement contract on Monday at 2 PM at the contractor's office. Under California law, what is the latest time the homeowner can cancel the contract without penalty?
A swimming pool contract for $28,000 is signed on Wednesday at the customer's home. The contract includes proper cancellation notices. If the customer wants to cancel, they must do so by when?
Under California's prompt payment law, if a contractor submits a proper payment request to a property owner, payment is due within how many days?
A general contractor hires a subcontractor for $22,000. The general contractor receives payment from the owner but fails to pay the subcontractor within how many days, subjecting themselves to penalty interest?
Under California Civil Code Section 8180, when must a subcontractor serve a preliminary notice on a private work project?
Which of the following contracts is NOT subject to the 3-day right to cancel under California law?
A subcontractor completes roofing work on Tuesday, March 15th. The general contractor is paid by the owner on Friday, March 25th. Under California prompt payment laws, what is the latest date the general contractor must pay the subcontractor?
A contractor receives a progress payment of $18,000 from a property owner on Monday. The contractor owes subcontractors $12,000 of this amount. By what day must the contractor pay the subcontractors?
A swimming pool contractor enters into a $45,000 contract to install an in-ground pool. The contract includes a $5,000 down payment. What is the maximum down payment the contractor can legally collect under California law?
A contractor completes $15,000 worth of electrical work on a commercial building. The property owner disputes $3,000 of the charges. Under California prompt payment law, what amount must the owner pay within the required timeframe to avoid penalties?
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
Related Study Resources
Previous Question
A contractor receives final payment of $18,000 on March 1st. On March 25th, the property owner discovers defective work. Under California law, can the owner still file a stop payment notice?
Next Question
A swimming pool contractor's contract includes a clause stating 'No cancellation allowed once permits are pulled.' This clause is: