Unfortunately, I have had to file a few liens. I use a service that costs about $100 per lien. I pay it gladly to save the time and make sure it is filed properly and all the notices get sent. In my state you have 90 days after the last day work was performed to file the lien and 1 year from that point to file a lawsuit or your claim is dead. Recently, I did just that for $5600 owed on 3 properties from 1 GC. 1 day before trial they offered to settle for the full amount over 3 months, I accepted. If we'd gone to court, they probably would've lost and owed my attorney's fees and interest, but the judge could've made me take less so I'm happy with the settlement.
