In the commercial and residential construction industry, general contractors rely on dozens of subcontractors to complete a project, including masonry, foundation, drywall, flooring, electrical, plumbing, roofing, technology, windows, doors, framing, and many more. For subcontractors who don’t have a direct contract with the owner of the property, one of their most important collection tools is a Notice to Owner that is sent to the property owner to notify them of the subcontractor’s lien rights.

The Notice to Owner is used in more than a dozen states, with state statutes detailing how the NTO should be used. For example, Florida Statute (713.06) requires that a Notice to Owner be served on the improvement owner within 45 days from the date of labor, services, or materials being delivered to the job site, in order to secure the sender’s right to lien the property in the event the sender is not paid for work.

It’s essential that the subcontractor has proof that the NTO was delivered, or a lien filing will be disqualified. Certified Mail® and hand delivery are generally the two methods specified in statutes. Certified Mail® is the ideal choice because it provides the sender with both Proof of Mailing (Acceptance) and Proof of Delivery, and it’s the most economical method.

SimpleCertifiedMail.com is the easiest way to send Certified Mail. It eliminates the need for postage meters and trips to the Post Office. An Electronic Proof of Mailing/Acceptance (PDF file) is posted to the sender’s account within hours of the mail carrier picking up the NTO. And the USPS® Return Receipt Electronic, with the recipient’s signature, is posted within hours of delivery.