Moody and Shea, P.A.

Is there Any Required Language that Must be Included in My Contract?

Every direct contract between an owner of a single or multiple family dwelling up to and including four units, must contain the following provision printed in no less than fourteen (14) point type (as used below), capitalized, and in bold, on the front page of the contract:

ACCORDING TO FLORIDA'S CONSTRUCTION LIEN LAW (SECTIONS 713.001-713.37, FLORIDA STATUTES), THOSE WHO WORK ON YOUR PROPERTY OR PROVIDE MATERIALS AND ARE NOT PAID IN FULL HAVE A RIGHT TO ENFORCE THEIR CLAIM FOR PAYMENT AGAINST YOUR PROPERTY. IF YOUR CONTRACTOR OR A SUBCONTRACTOR FAILS TO PAY SUBCONTRACTORS, SUB-SUBCONTRACTORS, OR MATERIAL SUPPLIERS, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OWED MONEY MAY LOOK TO YOUR PROPERTY FOR PAYMENT, EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID YOUR CONTRACTOR IN FULL. IF YOU FAIL TO PAY YOUR CONTRACTOR, YOUR CONTRACTOR MAY ALSO HAVE A LIEN ON YOUR PROPERTY. THIS MEANS IF A LIEN IS FILED YOUR PROPERTY COULD BE SOLD AGAINST YOUR WILL TO PAY FOR LABOR, MATERIALS, OR OTHER SERVICES THAT YOUR CONTRACTOR OR A SUBCONTRACTOR MAY HAVE FAILED TO PAY. TO PROTECT YOURSELF, YOU SHOULD STIPULATE IN THIS CONTRACT THAT BEFORE ANY PAYMENT IS MADE, YOUR CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A WRITTEN RELEASE OF LIEN FROM ANY PERSON OR COMPANY THAT HAS PROVIDED TO YOU A "NOTICE TO OWNER." FLORIDA'S CONSTRUCTION LIEN LAW IS COMPLEX, AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CONSULT AN ATTORNEY.

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DISCLAIMER AND CAUTION: THESE MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE NOT INTENDED NOR SHOULD THEY BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE AS TO ANY PARTICULAR SET OF FACTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES. DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE CONSTRUCTION LIEN LAW STATUTES AND THE CASES INTERPRETING AND APPLYING THE STATUTES, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT COMPETENT LEGAL COUNSEL BE CONSULTED IN REGARD TO ANY QUESTIONS AS TO THE APPLICABILITY OF CONSTRUCTION LIEN LAW TO ANY SET OF PARTICULAR FACTS.

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