Washington, D.C. permits contractors, as well as subcontractors to file a lien. If a company supplies material to a material supplier, they are not eligible to file a lien claim. If the project involves an owner occupied one or two family residence, then only a party having a direct contract with the owner can file a lien. This is meant to protect homeowners from having construction liens filed on their property by companies that they did not hire.
While Washington, D.C. does require that the lienor have a contract in order to file a construction lien, oral contracts are sufficient if you have sufficient documentation to show the existence of an agreement or that you performed the work for which you are liening.
The Notice of Intent that is filed in Washington must be filed within 90 days after the earlier of the completion or termination of the project.
For more information on filing a Washington, D.C. Construction Lien, a Washington, D.C. Mechanics Lien, or a Washington, D.C. pre-lien notice, please visit http://www.lienitnow.com/washington-dc-faq.asp.