The opportunities for the property owner to dispute the lien vary from state to state based on the governing statute.
However, regardless of the state in which the improved property lies, claimants must follow a couple of consistent guidelines. Never file a mechanic’s lien claim for an amount that is greater than is owed under the applicable approved contract or purchase order. Claimants should never file a mechanic’s lien claim for a value that includes open change order requests. The only value that may be liened is the value of the work that has been performed/installed PLUS any approved change orders LESS the value of payments received or credits to which the claimant has agreed to provide.