Tampa Contractor Not Getting Paid? Florida NTO, Lien, and Funding

On a Tampa job, the Notice to Owner you served (or skipped) early often decides what you can do when payment stops. Tampa liens are recorded with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court; Pinellas and Pasco jobs record in their own counties. From there, unpaid contractors and subs lean on the Claim of Lien under Chapter 713 and, on bonded jobs, the payment bond.

This guide covers those clocks for Tampa projects and how Darkwell funding can help carry a claim of $10,000 or more. For the full state picture, see the Florida contractor not paid pillar.

Owed $10,000 or more on a Tampa job? Request a free claim review.

Florida Chapter 713 clocks (Tampa projects)

• Notice to Owner. Serve it before starting, or within 45 days after starting, to furnish labor, services, or materials (Fla. Stat. § 713.06).
• Claim of Lien. Record it no later than 90 days after your final furnishing, and serve it on the owner within 15 days after recording (Fla. Stat. § 713.08).
• Lien life. A lien generally lasts 1 year after recording unless a foreclosure action is started (Fla. Stat. § 713.22).
• Payment bond. On bonded private jobs, an action against the contractor or surety must be brought within 1 year after your last labor or delivery (Fla. Stat. § 713.23).

What your attorney checks on a Tampa job

Your attorney confirms the final furnishing date, NTO service, which county the property sits in, and whether the job is bonded before any Chapter 713 deadline is counted.

When funding helps

If the GC or owner is well funded and slow-walking, and counsel costs are the bottleneck, funding can help carry attorney and case costs while your attorney runs the case.

How Darkwell helps

Legal costs are often what stops a good claim. Darkwell helps carry them. On a Tampa unpaid invoice, that can mean funding the lien, bond, or contract claim.

• We help carry the cost. Darkwell funding helps pay for the case, so your operating cash stays in your business.
• We bring attorneys we know. Darkwell has a network of attorneys we know. They help keep costs down while still pursuing the claim. The claim moves forward with an attorney from our network, or your current attorney where it fits.
• Your attorney handles the law. We don’t run your case or choose your legal strategy. Your attorney does that.
• You make a clear decision. The goal is to take the stress out of the fight and make the smart financial decision about your claim.

What to send for a claim review

• Contract or subcontract, and change orders
• Invoices, pay applications, and payment history
• Job address and the owner, GC, or customer name
• Photos, daily logs, and delivery tickets
• Any notices, lien filings, or bond information
• Your attorney’s contact, if you have one
• Your Notice to Owner and proof of service

How we get paid

Our fee comes out of the recovery, not your pocket. If there’s no recovery, you don’t repay our funding. Your written agreement sets the exact terms.

Where we work and claim size

We fund business claims, and individual and consumer claims in some states, reviewed state by state where the law allows. We confirm your state during review. See where Darkwell funds claims.

In select cases, we may purchase a business claim outright, where state law allows.

We review claims of $10,000 or more, subject to review and approval by our team.

Darkwell does not buy or collect consumer debt in states that require a collection license, including Colorado.

Common questions

How long do I have to record a Florida Claim of Lien on a Tampa job? No later than 90 days after your final furnishing, under Fla. Stat. § 713.08.

How long does a Florida lien last? Generally 1 year after recording unless a foreclosure action is started, under § 713.22.

Does Darkwell control my case? No. Your attorney handles the case and the legal strategy. Darkwell provides funding.

Sources

• Fla. Stat. § 713.06
• Fla. Stat. § 713.08
• Fla. Stat. § 713.22
• Fla. Stat. § 713.23
• Florida Contractor Not Paid

Tampa job still unpaid at $10,000 or more? Request a free claim review. Send what you have, and you’ll get a response from our team.

Related reading: Florida Contractor Not Paid · Miami Unpaid Contractor Claim Funding · Orlando Contractor Not Getting Paid · Where We Fund