Getting Paid\n\nMechanic's/materialman's liens, preliminary notices, and conditional vs. unconditional lien waivers protect your right to payment. Public work is backed by payment bonds under the federal Miller Act and state "Little Miller Acts."\n\n> The licensing-law trap: in many states an unlicensed contractor cannot enforce its contract or collect — get licensed first (see the Licensing track).

In Practice

A sub finishes the work but the GC never pays. Because the sub filed a preliminary notice and preserved lien rights, they have leverage. Skip those steps and you may have none.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing preliminary-notice or lien deadlines
• Working unlicensed (you may not be able to collect)
• Not getting lien waivers in order

Takeaway: Protect your lien rights and get licensed first — unlicensed contractors often can't collect.