If you're working on a public works project in California, securing payment is essential. Since mechanics liens don’t apply to public property, a Payment Bond Claim in California serves as your vital safeguard when a general contractor doesn’t pay.
What Is a Payment Bond and Who Benefits?
On most public jobs, the prime contractor must post a payment bond. This surety bond ensures that subcontractors, suppliers, or equipment renters who are not directly contracted with the awarding public agency can still get paid. It’s a financial backup, guaranteeing compensation if the contractor falls short.
What Exactly Is a Payment Bond Claim in California?
A payment bond claim is your formal request to recover unpaid wages or materials through the bond rather than through a mechanics lien. It’s a legal tool tailored for public projects and essential when the usual lien options don’t apply.
How the Process Works
Here’s how we guide clients through the process:
1. Submit Your Project Details
You share the project information with us through our online Bond Claim Request Form or by calling us directly at (805) 306-0020.
2. We Prepare Your Claim
Our team prepares your payment bond claim using the details you provide. The claim clearly states the amount owed, identifies the parties involved, and meets all legal requirements.
3. We File and Serve the Claim
We handle submission to the surety and the bond principal, then serve all required parties using the proper method, often certified mail. You also receive proof of service for your records.
Key Deadlines and Notice Requirements
Timing is critical:
If you aren’t directly contracted with the prime contractor, you must serve this notice to preserve your rights.
If that notice wasn’t served, you must give written notice to the surety and bond principal either within 15 days of the recording of a Notice of Completion, or within 75 days if no notice is recorded.
If payment isn’t resolved, you generally have six months after project completion to enforce the claim.
These timelines are rooted in California law, and if ignored, the bond claim may be lost. By relying on us, you avoid missing those vital deadlines.
How We Make It Easier
We know that preparing, timing, and serving bond claims can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer:
Accurate preparation and timely delivery of all documents
Assurance that notices go to the correct parties using accepted methods
Proof of service for your records
Optional referral to trusted attorneys if enforcement becomes necessary through a formal lawsuit
And yes, we do all this for a flat fee of $250 for payment bond claims.
Why It Matters
In public works, a payment bond claim in California might be your only recourse for unpaid work or materials. Knowing what steps to take and when to take them can make or break your ability to collect. You don’t have to navigate that alone. We handle the paperwork, deadlines, and delivery while keeping you in control.
Final Thoughts
Claiming what you’re owed in California on a public project isn’t optional; it’s essential. A payment bond claim in California offers the clarity and pathway you need when payment stalls. By entrusting Easy Law Inc., you stay focused on your work while we manage the legal precision required to protect your payment.
Need help mapping out the timeline, seeing sample notices, or evaluating whether this is better than filing a stop-payment notice or lien? Just let us know. We’re here to support you at every step. Call now at (805) 306-0020.