How to Create a Claim in 10 Easy Steps

There are several steps to perfecting a claim in Texas. It all begins with collecting the information necessary to determine which process to follow. The 10 steps laid out below walk you through collecting information about the project, contract and claim. We will collect the contact information for the claim participants, your invoices and releases, and which months you provided labor or materials on the job. Lastly, we’ll show you how to track your progress as you walk a clear path through the claim perfection maze.

Create Lien and Bond Claim

Let’s start by creating the Claim, and if necessary, creating a new Project.

Step 1: Getting Started

In order to determine the process for perfecting the claim, you will need to provide information about the Project Type, Bond Type and your Role on the project.

Step 2: Determine your Project Type

Step 3: Determine your Bond Type

Step 4: Determine your Claimant Role

Next, you will need to provide information about the claim. These additional properties will help fill in the documents that are used during the claim perfection process.

Step 5: Collect Claim Information

After you have saved your claim, it is time to collect the contact information for the recipients of the documents that you will need to send via Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested.

Step 6: Provide Claim Participant Information

Now that you have provided the contact information for the Claim Participants, the next step is to collect information about the history of your project. In order to accomplish this, you can provide information about your invoices, previous releases of claims and the dates that you furnished labor or materials. Over the months that you are on the project, you will need to come back to these steps to keep your claim information current.

Step 7: Add Project Invoices

Step 8: Add Claim Releases

Step 9: Add Furnished Dates

Now that you have provided information about the claim, it’s time to look at the list of tasks that you will need to complete while perfecting your claim. Many of these tasks are based on the months that you were providing labor or materials to the project, though some tasks are also based on either the beginning or the completion, termination or abandonment of the project.

Step 10: Complete your Tasks

Now that you are marching steadily through the lien and bond maze, hopefully you will find resolution through your lien or bond. If not, it will be necessary to file a suit, which also has a statute of limitations. If you have not already consulted an attorney, you should do so now. Look in our Service Directory to find one in your area.