---
title: "Preliminary notice (notice of claim) | Drywall Glossary"
url: https://tapeandfloat.com/glossary/preliminary-notice.html
language: en
author: James Grokman, CEO, TapeAndFloat
updated: 2026-10-28
---

# Preliminary notice (notice of claim)

**A preliminary notice, or notice of claim, is a letter a subcontractor or supplier sends to the owner and/or GC saying it is owed, or may be owed, for work on the property. Many states require some form of notice before a lien can be filed; names and rules vary.**

> **Not legal advice.** This is a general explanation for contractors across the U.S. Lien and payment rules differ by state and by contract, and they change. Before you act on a lien, waiver or payment clause, talk to a construction attorney in your state.

## Why it matters on a drywall job

- In many states, a lien isn't available if the notice wasn't sent.
- Sending notice is a routine step in many markets, and many GCs treat it that way.

For one state's rules, see the [Texas lien guide for subcontractors](https://tapeandfloat.com/guides/texas-lien-deadlines.html). It covers Texas only.

## Related guides and tools

- [Texas lien guide for subcontractors](https://tapeandfloat.com/guides/texas-lien-deadlines.html)
- [Texas liens for subcontractors (blog)](https://tapeandfloat.com/blog/texas-lien-deadlines-subcontractors.html)
- [All glossary terms](https://tapeandfloat.com/glossary/)

---

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_¿Prefiere español? [Aviso preliminar (aviso de reclamo)](https://tapeandfloat.com/es/glosario/aviso-preliminar.html)._