Lien waiver
A signed document in which a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier acknowledges payment and gives up the right to file a lien against your home for that amount.
A lien waiver is your paper trail proving the people who worked on your home were paid, so none of them can later file a [mechanic's lien](/glossary/mechanics-lien) against your title. There are four common types: a *conditional* waiver takes effect only once the payment actually clears (the safest kind for you to receive on progress payments), and an *unconditional* waiver releases lien rights immediately regardless of whether the check clears (only sign over to a contractor once you're certain payment went through). Get a conditional waiver with each progress payment and an unconditional final waiver — plus an affidavit listing all subs and suppliers — before you release the last payment. See [how to vet a contractor](/guides/how-to-find-and-vet-a-contractor).