The GC Laws blog
Plain-English guidance on contractor law, written for the people doing the work.
How to Find Your State's Mechanic's Lien Deadline
Mechanic's lien deadlines are strict and state-specific. Here is how to find the real deadline, with verified examples from California and Florida.
Retainage Explained: What Can Be Withheld and When It Is Released
What retainage is, why it is withheld, how statutory caps work, and a verified example of a release deadline from California.
Davis-Bacon vs. State Prevailing Wage: What's the Difference
The federal Davis-Bacon Act and state prevailing wage laws are different regimes. Here is what each one covers and how they interact.
The Federal Prompt Payment Act, Explained
How the federal Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. § 3901–3907) requires federal agencies to pay contractors on time and to pay interest when they are late.
Do You Need a Contractor License? A State-by-State Question
Whether you need a contractor license depends on the state and the work. Here is how licensing works and why doing unlicensed work can cost you the contract and your lien.
A Contractor's Guide to Filing a Mechanic's Lien
The mechanics of filing a mechanic's lien: preliminary notice, the claim of lien, service, and enforcement — and the deadlines that can kill the lien.
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