Liens are the most powerful leverage a contractor or oilfield service company has — and the easiest to lose. Texas mechanic's and mineral lien rights run on short, unforgiving deadlines measured in months, not years.
Construction: mechanic's & materialman's liens
Texas mechanic's lien rights (Property Code Ch. 53) depend on strict notice and filing deadlines tied to the months in which labor or materials were furnished. The exact dates differ for original contractors versus subcontractors and for residential versus commercial projects — and missing a single deadline can forfeit the lien.
Oil & gas: mineral liens
Mineral liens for oilfield work (Property Code Ch. 56) protect contractors and service companies who furnish labor or materials to mineral operations. The filing window is short, so a service company that's been stiffed by an operator needs to act fast to preserve it.
How we use lien rights
When you place a construction or oilfield account with us, preserving any live lien rights is a priority — we coordinate with licensed counsel to assert them on the statutory clock while we pursue the debt. Even where a lien deadline has passed, the underlying debt is still owed and enforceable.
This article is general information for Texas commercial creditors, not legal advice. Statutes and deadlines change and depend on the facts — confirm specifics with qualified counsel.