Construction Payment Disputes Affect Every Trade
Nonpayment on construction projects is not limited to one trade or one role. Electricians, roofers, plumbers, HVAC contractors, telecom installers, material suppliers, subcontractors, and general contractors all face the same fundamental problem: work is performed or materials are furnished, and payment does not follow.
Illinois law provides powerful remedies — mechanic liens, payment bond claims, and contractor collections — but these remedies have strict deadlines and notice requirements that vary based on your position in the contracting chain.
We help contractors and suppliers across every trade understand their rights, meet critical deadlines, and recover the money they are owed. Select your industry below to learn how we can help.
Part of Our Construction Law Practice
Our industry-specific representation is built on deep knowledge of Illinois construction payment law.
View all construction law servicesTrade Contractors
Licensed trade contractors perform specialized work that is essential to every construction project. When payment disputes arise, trade contractors need an attorney who understands both their industry and the specific legal remedies available under Illinois law.
Electricians
Lien rights, bond claims, and payment recovery for licensed electricians on residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Roofers
Mechanic lien filings, deadline compliance, and collections for roofing contractors on new construction and re-roofing projects.
Plumbers
Payment disputes, lien enforcement, and bond claims for plumbing contractors on private and public jobs.
HVAC Contractors
Construction payment remedies for HVAC contractors — from notice compliance to lien filing and bond claims.
Telecom Contractors
Lien and bond claim strategies for telecom and low-voltage contractors on tower, fiber, and infrastructure projects.
Project Participants
General contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers each occupy a different position in the construction contracting chain — and each has different notice requirements, lien rights, and recovery options under Illinois law.
General Contractors
GC-specific lien rights, collections strategies, and defense against owner nonpayment on private and public projects.
Subcontractors
Section 24 notice requirements, subcontractor lien rights, and payment recovery when the GC or owner won't pay.
Material Suppliers
Supplier lien rights, Trust Fund Act protection, and notice requirements for building material and equipment suppliers.
Payment Remedies Available to Every Trade
Regardless of your trade or role, Illinois law provides a structured set of payment remedies. The remedy that applies depends on the project type (private or public) and your position in the contracting chain:
Mechanic Liens (Private Projects)
File a lien against the property where you performed work or furnished materials. The lien encumbers the title and can force payment through judicial foreclosure.
Payment Bond Claims (Public Projects)
Claim against the surety company that bonded the general contractor on a public project. The surety guarantees payment regardless of the GC's financial condition.
Contractor Collections & Demand Letters
Strategic demand letters, breach of contract claims, and collection enforcement when lien or bond remedies are unavailable or need supplementation.
Related Resources
Illinois Construction Law
Comprehensive guide to all construction payment remedies
Mechanic Lien Attorney
File and enforce mechanic liens statewide
Lien Deadlines & Notices
Critical deadlines for every position in the chain
Payment Bond Claims
Public project bond claim procedures and deadlines
Contractor Collections
Demand letters and payment recovery strategies
Deadline Calculator
Estimate your key filing dates
Contact Us
Free consultation and deadline check