What Is a Notice to Owner in Florida? And Why Does It Matter for Your Construction Business?
If you work in construction in Florida, there’s one document you really need to know about: the Notice to Owner, or NTO for short.
This one piece of paper can protect your right to get paid. It’s not hard to send, but many people don’t even know they need to. That can lead to big problems down the road.
Let’s break it down. What is a Notice to Owner? Why do you need it? And how can it help your business?
What Is a Notice to Owner?
A Notice to Owner is a simple letter that tells the owner of a property that you are working on their project. You send this letter before or shortly after you start work or deliver materials.
Here’s why it matters:
In Florida, if you don’t send this notice, you might not be able to file a lien later if you don’t get paid.
A lien is a legal claim against the property. It’s a way to make sure you get paid for the work you did or the materials you delivered.
But there’s a catch:
In Florida, if you don’t send a Notice to Owner within 45 days of starting work (or delivering materials), you lose your right to file that lien.
So if something goes wrong and you don’t get paid, it might be too late to do anything about it. That’s why this notice is so important.
Who Needs to Send a Notice to Owner?
Not everyone on a job site needs to send a Notice to Owner. Here’s a quick guide:
✅ You need to send one if:
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You are a subcontractor working under a general contractor
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You are a material supplier and you deliver products or equipment
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You are a laborer working directly for a subcontractor
❌ You usually don’t need to send one if:
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You are the general contractor hired directly by the owner However, we encourage you to do it anyways as it is a great tool for effectively communicating your intentions of placing a lien on the property if you are not paid.
If you are not hired directly by the property owner, play it safe and send the notice. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it protects your rights.
When Do You Have to Send It?
Florida law says you must send the Notice to Owner within 45 days of one of the following:
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Your first day of work
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Your first delivery of materials or equipment
But here’s something important to know: the sooner you send it, the better. Want to find out the max delivery date of your notice? Use our Due Date Calculators on the home page.
If you wait too long, you might miss the deadline. And once that deadline passes, there’s nothing you can do to fix it. Even if the owner promised to pay you. Even if you did all the work. If you didn’t send the NTO in time, you can’t file a lien.
So it’s smart to make this a regular habit. As soon as you start a new job, add “Send NTO” to your checklist.
Does Sending a Notice to Owner Mean Something Is Wrong?
Not at all!
A lot of contractors worry that sending this notice might make the owner think there’s a problem. But that’s not the case.
The Notice to Owner is not a threat. It doesn’t mean you’re suing anyone or that you’re not going to get paid. It’s just a heads-up that says:
“Hey, I’m working on your property. If something goes wrong, I want to keep my right to file a lien.”
In fact, it’s a normal and expected part of doing business in construction—especially in Florida.
Most experienced property owners, builders, and general contractors are very familiar with the process. They won’t be surprised to see it. They might even expect it.
What Happens After You Send It?
Once you send the Notice to Owner, a few good things happen:
✅ You are legally protected.
✅ The property owner knows you are part of the job.
✅ It makes it harder for you to get forgotten or skipped when payments go out.
✅ If you do need to file a lien later, you’ll be allowed to — as long as you meet the other deadlines too.
So even if everything goes smoothly and you get paid right away, it’s still good to know your rights were protected the whole time.
What If You Don’t Send a Notice?
This is where problems come in.
Let’s say you’re a subcontractor. You do great work, but the GC runs into money trouble. You finish the job, but no one pays you.
If you sent a Notice to Owner, you can file a lien on the property. That lien makes it much more likely you’ll get paid.
If you didn’t send the NTO on time? You’re out of luck. You might still try to get paid, but you won’t have the legal power of a lien on your side.
And in the construction world, a lien is one of the best tools you have to protect your income.
How Do You Send a Notice to Owner?
In Florida, the rules are pretty clear.
The Notice to Owner must be:
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In writing
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Sent by certified mail or tracked delivery
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Sent within 45 days of first work or first delivery
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Sent to the property owner and sometimes others, like the general contractor
Most people use a service to help with this. Services like Sunshine Notices (that’s us!) make it easy. You give us a few job details, and we handle the rest—fast, accurate, and fully tracked. Don’t take our word for it check out our Google reviews here.
If you try to do it yourself, be careful. One small mistake (like the wrong address or date) could make the whole notice invalid.
How Can This Help My Business?
Sending a Notice to Owner:
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Makes sure you’re taken seriously
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Keeps your cash flow strong
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Builds trust with owners who know you’re protecting your rights
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Helps you avoid fights about payment later
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Gives you the option to file a lien if needed
Construction work is hard. You shouldn’t have to fight just to get paid. This one simple step can save you a ton of stress—and money.
Final Thoughts
If you work in construction in Florida and you’re not sending Notices to Owner, you’re taking a risk. And in this business, that can cost you.
Don’t leave your payments up to chance. Send your NTOs early and on time. Protect your right to get paid for the work you do.
If you’re not sure where to start, we can help. Sunshine Notices sends thousands of NTOs every year for Florida contractors, subs, and suppliers. We make it simple—so you can focus on doing great work.