SUMMARY

The mechanic's lien law permits a subcontractor or material supplier to collect from a residential customer directly when that subcontractor or material supplier has not been paid by the general contractor, even if the residential customer has paid the general contractor. Thus, the residential customer may end up paying twice for services or materials, but only if the residential customer is first given prior notice of this possibility.

Commercial customers are not entitled to receive such prior notice before they can be required to pay twice. This bill eliminates the nonresidential exemption to the prior notice requirement.