Utah Contractor Practice Exam

What action must a contractor take after filing a mechanics' lien?

1. Record a Notice of Completion

2. Wait for the owner to pay

3. Continue working on the job

4. Initiate a lawsuit immediately

The correct answer is: Continue working on the job

In the context of mechanics' liens, the appropriate action a contractor should take after filing a mechanics' lien is to continue working on the job. Filing a mechanics' lien is a legal step taken to secure payment for services rendered or materials supplied. It serves as a claim against the property, asserting that the contractor has a right to be paid for their work. Continuing work can be important for several reasons. First, the contractor maintains their position and relevance on the project, which can help facilitate communication with the owner and potentially lead to payment. Additionally, ongoing work may be essential to complete the project and ensure that the property is in a finished state, which can affect the overall value and appeal of the property. While other actions may be relevant in different scenarios, such as recording a notice of completion or initiating a lawsuit if payment is not made, these steps are not immediately required after filing a mechanics' lien. The contractor's focus should remain on completing their obligations under the contract while the lien provides some level of security for the payment they seek.