Free unconditional lien waiver template

An unconditional waiver has no condition attached. Once signed, it gives up the lien rights it names, even if the check later bounces. Courts in many states will hold you to it. Treat it like a receipt you can only write once the money has cleared.

• After a progress payment has cleared, when the customer asks for an unconditional waiver for that payment.
• After the final payment has cleared, to close out the job.
• Never against a promise, a post-dated check or a payment still in transit. Give a conditional waiver instead.

A progress waiver covers only work through its date. If retainage, an unpaid change order or a disputed amount is still open, write it under Exceptions. On a final waiver, anything not listed is usually gone. If your state sets its own wording, use the state form on the lien waiver page.

8 states we have checked set the waiver wording in their lien statute: California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Michigan, Florida, Wyoming. In those states, use the state form instead of this one. The lien waiver page has notes for all 50 states.

• Lien Waiver: Conditional and unconditional, progress and final, with each state's rules.
• Conditional Lien Waiver: Gives up lien rights only once your payment clears.
• Punch List: What is left, where, who fixes it, by when, and the sign-off.
• Daily Log: Weather, crew hours, work done, deliveries, delays and safety.
• Credit Card Authorization Form: Lets you charge a card on file, with the customer's signature.
• Certificate of Completion: The customer signs that the job is done; the warranty starts.
• Home Improvement Contract: Scope, price, schedule, permits, changes, warranty and cancellation.
• Time and Materials Contract: Labor rate, materials markup, a cap and how you bill.
• Every template, including estimates, invoices and proposals for 35 trades.