Contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers get paid when their paperwork is right and their deadlines are met. Owners and developers keep projects moving when liens are handled quickly and correctly. Nick Hudson handles both sides of that work at flat fees, so you know the cost before you call.
Contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers get paid when their paperwork is right and their deadlines are met. Owners and developers keep projects moving when liens are handled quickly and correctly. Nick Hudson handles both sides of that work at flat fees, so you know the cost before you call. 515.519.3600
Which side of the project are you on?
I did the work and have not been paid.
Mechanic’s liens, MNLR notices, and demand letters for general contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers. Lien posting $495. Notice posting $175.
A lien was posted on my property.
Lien review, the 30-day demand under §572.28, release negotiation, and defense for owners, developers, and lenders. Owner response $350.
Construction contracts that hold up when the job gets hard
Most payment disputes start with a contract that never addressed the problem. We draft and review prime contracts, subcontracts, and supply agreements on AIA forms or from scratch, with Iowa lien waiver forms and change order procedures that match how the MNLR actually works. Contract review $850. Contractor contract package $1,250.
The issues we negotiate on every commercial construction contract are the same ones that surface in disputes later: scope of work and exclusions, schedule and substantial completion definitions, pricing structure and the controls appropriate to it, change order procedures, differing site conditions, warranty and latent defect periods, termination and right-to-cure provisions, and dispute resolution mechanics. Pure unmodified forms are rarely appropriate for any party. The work is in the modifications.
Why flat fees for lien work
A lien is a deadline problem. You should not have to wonder whether calling a lawyer will cost more than the invoice you are trying to collect. Every fee on this page is fixed and confirmed in writing before we start. Registry fees charged by the Iowa Secretary of State are billed at cost. See the full pricing page.
Construction financing
Most commercial construction projects involve a construction lender, and the loan document set sits alongside the construction contract: draw procedures, lien waivers at each draw, title date-downs, completion guaranties, and intercreditor agreements. The firm’s commercial loan documents practice handles that side of the project, and we coordinate the construction documents with the loan documents so the obligations align.
Common questions
What is the Iowa Mechanics’ Notice and Lien Registry?
The MNLR is the online registry run by the Iowa Secretary of State where notices of commencement, preliminary notices, and mechanic’s liens are posted under Iowa Code §572. Since 2013, liens on Iowa construction projects are posted there rather than filed with the county recorder. Our Iowa mechanic’s lien guide walks through the whole process.
How much does it cost to file a mechanic’s lien in Iowa with a lawyer?
Our flat fee to post a mechanic’s lien is $495, plus the $30 registry fee. That includes confirming your lien rights on the specific project type, calculating your deadlines, verifying the amount, and sending the notices the statute requires.
Do I need a lawyer to post a lien, or can I use an online service?
You can post a lien yourself or through a filing service. What those services do not do is tell you whether you have lien rights, whether a missed notice has limited your claim, or what happens if the owner serves a demand under §572.28. Our fee is close to the online services and includes that advice.
Where do you handle construction matters?
Statewide on the registry, and in Polk, Dallas, Warren, Story, Jasper, Madison, and the surrounding Central Iowa counties for hearings and site matters. Our office is at 2331 University Ave, STE 200, Des Moines.
Ready to talk? Call Nick Hudson at 515.519.3600, email nick@conveyance.law, or schedule a consultation online.
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Working with our firm
If you’re considering a project, structuring a transaction, or working through a problem that’s developing, we’d be glad to talk. The decisions made early in a deal compound, and engaging the right legal counsel before the structure is locked in is meaningfully more valuable than fixing things later.
Conveyance Law, PLC | Des Moines, Iowa | 515.519.3600
