Are broad lien waivers enforceable in North Carolina?

No. Since March 2022, North Carolina law voids broad or blanket lien waivers. A lien waiver is only valid for the specific payment amount the subcontractor actually received. Every payment requires its own individual waiver tied to that specific amount.

Does North Carolina require a lien waiver for every payment?

Yes. Because North Carolina voided broad lien waivers in 2022, each payment must have its own waiver matching the specific amount paid. A single blanket waiver collected at the start of a job no longer provides protection for subsequent payments.

Do North Carolina GCs need to track subcontractor COIs?

Yes. While North Carolina does not mandate a specific COI format at the state level, every commercial general contractor requires certificates of insurance from subcontractors before work begins. An expired certificate mid-project creates liability exposure for the GC.

SubPaperz is subcontractor compliance software for general contractors. It automates per-payment lien waiver collection, COI tracking, W-9 collection, subcontractor agreements, and pay applications — keeping North Carolina GCs compliant with the state's updated lien waiver requirements.

North Carolina General Contractors

NC voided broad lien waivers.
Every payment needs its own.

Since 2022, North Carolina law only recognizes lien waivers for the specific payment amount received — blanket waivers are void. SubPaperz makes per-payment waiver collection standard practice on every job.

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What North Carolina Law Requires

Per-payment waivers only — broad releases are void under NC law.

Broad lien waivers — voided since 2022

A North Carolina law change in March 2022 means broad or blanket lien waivers are no longer enforceable. A waiver is only valid for the specific payment amount the sub actually received. Every check needs a matching waiver.

Waiver must match the specific payment

The waiver needs to be tied to a specific payment amount — not a general release of all future lien rights. This makes per-payment collection not just best practice but the only legally meaningful option in North Carolina.

COI requirements are contract-driven

North Carolina doesn't mandate a specific COI format at the state level, but every commercial GC requires certificates before a sub starts work. With active markets in Charlotte, Raleigh, and the Research Triangle, there's no shortage of subs to track.

W-9s are always required

Federal IRS requirements apply regardless of state. Any sub paid $600+ per year needs a W-9. SubPaperz collects them digitally at the start of every sub relationship so you're never caught short at year-end.

General information only — not legal advice. Consult a North Carolina construction attorney for guidance specific to your projects.

Sound familiar?

Every North Carolina GC has been here. It doesn't have to keep happening.

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You collected one lien waiver at the start of the job and assumed you were covered.

Since 2022 that blanket waiver is void under NC law. If a payment dispute comes up on draw 6, you have no protection for draws 2 through 5.

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A sub's COI expired on a Charlotte commercial project.

NC's booming construction markets move fast. Certificates expire. A 30-day expiry alert means you catch the renewal before it becomes a site liability issue.

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Per-payment waiver collection became a full-time job.

NC law requires it. SubPaperz automates the send, the reminder, and the storage so it happens without eating your evenings.

Features

Everything North Carolina GCs need in one place.

One login covers it all.

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Lien Waivers — Per-Payment Collection

Per-payment waivers tied to specific amounts — the only kind NC law recognizes. Collected automatically, timestamped, and stored with a full audit trail.

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COI Tracking

Upload certificates, track expiry dates, get email reminders 30/60 days out. Never get caught with a lapsed COI on a NC job site.

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W-9 Collection

Send a link, your sub fills it on their phone. PDF stored and ready for tax time.

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Subcontractor Agreements

Template with scope, payment terms, and liability clauses. Fill in the blanks, send for e-sign.

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Pay Applications

AIA-style G702/G703 pay apps, fillable online. Track retainage and scheduled values, download clean PDFs.

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Remote E-Signatures

Send a link, your sub signs from their phone. No app download. Audit trail included.

Pricing

Simple, honest pricing.

No per-doc fees. No surprise charges. Pay for what you need.

NC voided broad lien waivers.
Every payment needs its own.

Per-payment waivers only — broad releases are void under NC law.

Sound familiar?

You collected one lien waiver at the start of the job and assumed you were covered.

A sub's COI expired on a Charlotte commercial project.

Per-payment waiver collection became a full-time job.

Everything North Carolina GCs need in one place.

Lien Waivers — Per-Payment Collection

COI Tracking

W-9 Collection

Subcontractor Agreements

Pay Applications

Remote E-Signatures

Simple, honest pricing.

NC requires a waiver
on every single payment.

GC Subcontractor Compliance Checklist

NC voided broad lien waivers. Every payment needs its own.

Per-payment waivers only — broad releases are void under NC law.

Sound familiar?

You collected one lien waiver at the start of the job and assumed you were covered.

A sub's COI expired on a Charlotte commercial project.

Per-payment waiver collection became a full-time job.

Everything North Carolina GCs need in one place.

Lien Waivers — Per-Payment Collection

COI Tracking

W-9 Collection

Subcontractor Agreements

Pay Applications

Remote E-Signatures

Simple, honest pricing.

NC requires a waiver on every single payment.

GC Subcontractor Compliance Checklist

NC voided broad lien waivers.
Every payment needs its own.

NC requires a waiver
on every single payment.