Lien waivers are tied directly to getting paid, and mistakes are costly. Sending an unconditional waiver before payment clears can give up lien rights. Missing a waiver can delay a draw.
Use this checklist to keep waivers organized for every job and every payment, whether you are collecting them from subcontractors and suppliers or providing them to an owner or general contractor.
For each job
- Confirm which waiver forms the project and state require.
- Record who needs to provide waivers and to whom.
- Set up a tracking sheet by payment application.
For each payment
- Send conditional waivers with the pay application.
- Track which conditional waivers have been signed and returned.
- Send unconditional waivers only after the payment has cleared.
- Collect waivers from subcontractors and suppliers before releasing their payments.
At closeout
- Exchange final waivers on final payment.
- Confirm retainage release and the matching waivers.
- File every waiver with the job record.
This template is general guidance, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Adapt it to your business and confirm requirements with a qualified adviser.