An official notice filed at the start of a project that establishes when construction began and sets lien deadlines.
A notice of commencement is a document filed by a property owner or general contractor at the start of a construction project that establishes the official project commencement date and informs all lien claimants of the project's existence. In states that require it (such as Florida and Georgia), filing a notice of commencement is a prerequisite for the owner to assert defenses against lien claims. It also triggers the deadline by which subcontractors must serve preliminary notices to preserve their lien rights.
A Florida developer files a notice of commencement with the county recorder before the first shovel turns, triggering the 45-day window for subcontractors to serve their preliminary notices.
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