Roofing jobs go unpaid in ways other trades rarely see. The insurance check gets cashed and spent on something else. The homeowner disputes the supplement. A GC on a commercial reroof holds your final draw while the owner punches out the building. A lien gives you leverage on the property itself, but on a home in Texas it only works if the paperwork was right from day one.
Where payment breaks down for roofing contractors
- The homeowner deposits the insurance check and stops answering after the tear-off is done.
- Depreciation or supplement money gets released to the owner, not to you.
- On commercial reroofs, the GC holds retainage until the whole building closes out.
- Storm-season volume means jobs finish fast and paperwork lags behind, so deadlines slip.
Your lien rights as a roofing contractor
Most residential roofers contract directly with the homeowner, which makes you the original contractor. You don't send a pre-lien notice, but if the house is the owner's homestead you need a written contract signed before work starts, signed by both spouses if the owner is married, and filed with the county clerk (§ 53.254). Without it, a homestead lien generally fails. On commercial jobs where you work under a GC, you're a sub and the monthly notice-of-claim deadlines apply.
The Texas deadlines that apply to you
For original contracts signed on or after January 1, 2022, a sub or supplier sends a notice of claim to the owner and the original contractor by the 15th day of the 3rd month after each month of unpaid work, or the 2nd month on a residential job (Tex. Prop. Code § 53.056). The lien affidavit is due by the 15th day of the 4th month after your last month of work, or the 3rd month on a residential job (§ 53.052). A contractor hired directly by the owner sends no pre-lien notice and counts from the month the original contract was completed, terminated or abandoned. If a deadline lands on a weekend or legal holiday, it moves to the next business day (§ 53.003(e)). Full Texas deadline guide → · Deadline calculator →
Residential or commercial? Texas uses its shorter residential deadlines when the home is owned and lived in (or meant to be lived in) by the owner, under the Property Code's definition of a residence (§ 53.001). A new home still owned by a builder can fall under the longer commercial deadlines. We check which set applies before we file.
Real job, Dallas County: a commercial roofing contractor on a retail shopping center roof replacement was owed $18,750. After repeated promises went nowhere, a lien was filed and the general contractor released payment 11 days later. More on Dallas County liens →
Real job, Hunt County: a roofing materials supplier on a multi-home development was owed $32,600. The lien deadline had passed, so the account went to collections, and the supplier was paid in full after more than four months of follow-up. More on Hunt County liens →
What to keep for every job
- Signed contract with both spouses' signatures on homestead jobs
- Insurance scope, supplements and the adjuster's approval
- Photos of completed work and the final inspection
- Invoices showing what insurance paid and what's still owed
Outside Texas?
We file liens for roofing contractors in 18 states, in any county. Each state has its own notices and deadlines. See the states we serve →
Lien deadline passed or the lien didn't pay?
The debt is still owed. We collect unpaid construction invoices on contingency, 10% to 33%, with no charge if we don't collect. See construction collections →
Pricing and turnaround
Liens are $199 to $500, and that includes recording fees, notarizing and serving. Pre-lien notices are $100. Typical turnaround is 2 business days, and there's no minimum claim amount. Collections run on contingency, 10% to 33%, with no charge if we don't collect. Call (469) 694-8003, Monday through Friday, 8am to 7pm.
Other trades we file for
Concrete Contractors · Plumbing Contractors · Electrical Contractors · HVAC Contractors · Painting Contractors · Fencing Contractors · Flooring Contractors · Drywall Contractors · Landscaping Contractors · Lumber and Building Material Suppliers · Equipment Rental Companies
Frequently asked questions
Can a roofer put a lien on a house in Texas?
Yes, if the homestead requirements were met: a written contract signed before work began, by both spouses if married, filed with the county clerk. Without that contract, a lien on a homestead generally isn't valid.
The homeowner kept the insurance check. What can I do?
If you're inside your deadline, a lien is usually the strongest move. If the lien isn't available, we can pursue the balance through collections on contingency.
Do roofers need to send a notice before filing a lien?
Not if you contracted directly with the owner. If you worked under a GC or another contractor, you need to send a notice of claim for each month of unpaid work.
This page is general information, not legal advice. LevelSet Collections is not a law firm; we prepare and file liens and notices as agent for the claimant. Deadlines change and depend on the facts of your job, so confirm your dates with us before relying on them.
Owed money as a roofing contractor?
Liens $199 to $500, recording, notarizing and serving included. Usually filed in 2 business days. Call (469) 694-8003.
