Choosing the right contractor can make or break your construction or renovation project. In Florida, hiring the wrong person can lead to unlicensed work, code violations, payment disputes, or even liens on your property. The best protection? Ask the right questions before you sign the contract — not after the problems begin. Here are the top questions Florida property … Read more
Recording a construction lien in Florida is a powerful tool—but it’s only the first step. Many contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers mistakenly believe that simply recording a lien will result in payment. In reality, a lien is a legal claim against the property, but you must still take enforcement steps to actually get paid. At Florida Lien Machine, … Read more
Filing a construction lien in Florida can be one of the most powerful tools available to contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers to recover unpaid balances. But Florida’s Construction Lien Law is highly technical—and small errors can completely invalidate your lien rights. If you don’t follow the rules precisely, you may lose the ability to enforce … Read more
A well-drafted construction contract isn’t just paperwork—it’s your first and best defense against nonpayment, delays, and costly legal disputes. In Florida, having a legally enforceable contract is especially critical due to the state’s robust lien laws, DBPR licensing regulations, and frequent disputes between owners, contractors, and subcontractors. At Douglas Firm, we help Florida contractors, subcontractors, … Read more
If you’re a developer in Florida, disputes with contractors aren’t just inconvenient — they can delay projects, increase costs, and threaten your bottom line. From missed deadlines to payment conflicts or construction defects, it’s critical to manage contractor issues proactively and legally to keep your project moving. This guide outlines key legal tips for Florida developers to … Read more
In the fast-paced world of construction, not every deal is formalized in writing — especially on smaller jobs or when long-standing relationships are involved. But what happens when payment doesn’t come through? Can you still file a construction lien in Florida if your agreement was verbal? The short answer: Yes, you can — but only under certain … Read more
Florida law requires contractors to include 2 mandatory provisions in their contracts when the contract is for improvement to residential property, the Florida Lien Law disclosure and the Florida Homeowner’s Construction Recovery Fund. FLORIDA LIEN LAW MANDATORY PROVISION FOR DIRECT CONTRACTS Source: Fla. Stat. 713.015 Mandatory provisions for direct contracts.— Applies to: Any direct contract greater than $2,500 … Read more
The normal course of action when a Florida Court (or a South Florida Court at least in my experience) enters a final judgment is for the clerk to record such judgment in the Official Records of the same County. However, this action by the Clerk does not cause such judgment to attach to real property of … Read more
713.18 Manner of serving notices and other instruments.— (1) Service of notices, claims of lien, affidavits, assignments, and other instruments permitted or required under this part, or copies thereof when so permitted or required, unless otherwise specifically provided in this part, must be made by one of the following methods: (a) By actual delivery to the person to … Read more
Significant Issues Test Applicable to Determine Attorney’s Fees Entitlement Under 713.29, Florida Statute for Lien Foreclosure Actions FRANK J. TRYTEK, et al., Petitioners, vs. GALE INDUSTRIES, INC., etc., Respondent. No. SC07-1641 SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA 3 So. 3d 1194; 2009 Fla. LEXIS 257; 34 Fla. L. Weekly S 247 ” Trial courts are required to … Read more
Want to satisfy a judgment but cannot find or get cooperation of the judgment-creditor? There are options. Fla. Stat. 55.141 provides a method to obtain a satisfaction of judgment by just dealing with the clerk. Judgment debtors may want to use this statute if: The cannot find the judgment holder, Judgment holder not-cooperating – will … Read more
Small Business Attorney: A Small Business Attorney For All Aspects of Your Small Business and Personal Life In this economy every dollar counts, you need to see a Small Business Attorney for your business and your personal matters. Small Business Attorney is for more than your just business it is your one stop attorney for … Read more
Construction Litigation: Collecting Amounts Due for Work on a Construction Project When Written Demands for Payment Fail, you may need to see a Construction Litigation Attorney Construction litigation is court proceedings that arise out of a construction project. A construction litigation case can by or between any of the players in the construction process including … Read more
This is a quick guide as to the meaning and benefits of the Florida Homestead Exemption. While many states have some sort of Homestead benefits, Florida’s Homestead laws provide the Country’s most generous set of benefits to its homeowners. The term Homestead exemption in Florida may refer to four different types of homestead exemptions/benefits under Florida law: … Read more
There is a common misconception(myth) among contractors that the deadline to file a lawsuit on a claim of lien can be extended beyond the one year statutory period simply by refiling the same claim of lien before the expiration of the first. This is inaccurate. Simply put, you have 1 year from the recording of … Read more
Introducing the Florida Lien Machine a Construction Lien Notice | Construction Lien service provided by Andrew Douglas, P.A.
The filing of a Notice to Owner is just one of many steps in perfecting a claim of lien under Florida law. The Notice to Owner is filed by a subcontractor or materialman who does not have a contract with the Owner. This notices simply lets the Owner know “hey, I am working on your … Read more