Construction Lien
Lawyers in British Columbia
Construction Liens in BC
In British Columbia, a construction lien is formally known as a builders lien under the Builders Lien Act. If you have done work or supplied materials to a construction project and have not been paid, a builders lien may be your most effective tool for securing what you are owed. The rules governing who can file, when, and how are strict. Deadlines are short and rarely extendable.
McKechnie & Company acts for contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, workers, and property owners across BC in construction lien matters, including disputes involving unpaid work, project delays, and deficiency claims.
OUR CLIENTS
Who Can File a Construction Lien in BC
Under the Builders Lien Act, contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, workers, and construction managers may be entitled to file a claim of builders lien if they are unpaid for work performed or materials supplied on a construction project. Eligibility depends on the project structure, contractual relationships, and whether statutory timelines have been met.
Early legal advice is the best way to confirm whether you have lien rights and how to preserve them.
Why Work With McKechnie & Company on Construction Lien Matters
Our lawyers have represented contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, and property owners in construction lien matters across British Columbia for decades. We understand the Builders Lien Act, the deadlines, and the practical realities of construction disputes. Clients come to us because lien rights are time-sensitive and mistakes are costly. We provide clear advice quickly, and we act.
We are based in Yaletown, Vancouver and act for clients throughout BC and from outside the province in matters governed by BC law.
Filing, Enforcing and Removing a Lien
A construction lien claim must be filed within strict deadlines which depend on a number of factors, the primary one being when the project was completed. Missing that window typically means losing lien rights with limited options for recovery.
Filing is only the first step. A lien must also be enforced within a defined period or the lien is extinguished and cannot be revived. Enforcement requires commencing legal proceedings in the Supreme Court and prosecuting the claim diligently.
Property owners and developers dealing with a lien filed against their project have options too, including posting security to discharge the lien while the dispute is resolved. We advise owners on holdback obligations, lien removal, and keeping projects moving while managing legal exposure.
For a plain-language overview of the process, see our BC builders lien guide.
Construction Liens & Construction Disputes
A construction lien claim rarely exists in isolation. Payment disputes, deficiency allegations, scope disagreements, and project delays frequently run alongside lien proceedings. How lien rights interact with the broader dispute can determine the outcome of both.
Where a matter involves a lien claim and an underlying construction dispute, we handle both. See our construction disputes page for more on how we approach those matters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Liens in BC
Contact Our Construction Lien Lawyers
If you are dealing with an unpaid construction claim, a lien filed against your property, or a holdback dispute in British Columbia, contact McKechnie & Company. We act for clients in Vancouver, across BC, and from outside the province in matters governed by BC law.
Call us at 604-669-7705 or fill out our contact form to arrange a free 30-minute consultation.