Texas lien waiver form picker for subcontractors

This Texas lien waiver form picker is a free tool that tells a subcontractor which of the 4 statutory waiver forms in Property Code § 53.284 to sign. Answer 2 questions: progress or final payment, and whether the money has cleared.

By James Grokman, CEO, TapeAndFloat · Published October 25, 2026 · Updated October 25, 2026

GCs and builders ask for a waiver with almost every pay app. Signing the wrong one, an unconditional waiver before the check clears, can give up lien and bond rights for money you never got. Pick your situation below and see the form that fits and what to check before you sign. Free, no sign-up.

1. What is the waiver for?
A progress payment (a monthly or partial pay app)
The final payment on the job (including retainage)

2. Is that payment already in your account in good funds?
No, or the check has not cleared yet
Yes, the money has cleared

Show my form

General information under Texas Property Code ch. 53, Subchapter L, not legal advice. Nothing you pick leaves your browser.

The four Texas waiver forms at a glance

• Conditional, progress payment: sign with a pay app, before the check arrives.
• Unconditional, progress payment: sign only after that payment has cleared.
• Conditional, final payment: sign with your final pay app, including retainage.
• Unconditional, final payment: sign only after final payment has cleared. Note any disputed extras in the exceptions space.

The rules come from Property Code Subchapter L (§§ 53.281-53.287): a waiver is enforceable only if it substantially follows one of the statutory forms and is signed by you or your agent, a conditional waiver needs evidence of payment to take effect, and nobody can require an unconditional waiver before you are paid in good funds. Behind on a payment? Check your notice and lien dates with the Texas lien deadline calculator, and see how to fill out a drywall pay application and how to get your retainage back.

Frequently asked questions

What are the 4 Texas lien waiver forms? Texas Property Code § 53.284 sets 4 statutory forms: Conditional Waiver and Release on Progress Payment, Unconditional Waiver and Release on Progress Payment, Conditional Waiver and Release on Final Payment, and Unconditional Waiver and Release on Final Payment.

Should a drywall sub sign a conditional or unconditional waiver? Sign the conditional form when you are asked for a waiver before the money is in your account. Sign the unconditional form only after that payment has cleared. Under § 53.283 nobody can require an unconditional waiver for an amount you have not received in good funds.

Can a GC make me use its own lien waiver form? A Texas waiver and release is enforceable only if it substantially complies with one of the § 53.284 forms and is signed by you or your authorized agent (§ 53.281). Extra language on a house form is worth reading carefully, and a Texas construction attorney can review it.

Is this legal advice? No. The picker applies the general rules of Property Code Subchapter L to two questions. It does not know your contract, payment bonds, public-works rules or residential contract terms. Talk to a Texas construction attorney about a specific waiver.

Want every pay app, waiver and through date tracked for you? TapeAndFloat watches your jobs and invoices and flags missing waivers and late payments. Join the free 60-day pilot, or grab the free office tracker.

En español: ¿Qué renuncia de gravamen firmo en Texas?