Mechanic's Lien vs. Bond Claim: Which Remedy Applies to Your Project?

On a private construction project, unpaid subs and suppliers have mechanic's lien rights. On public construction, they have bond claim rights instead. The difference isn't academic — the procedural requirements, deadlines, and collection mechanics are fundamentally different between the two. Here is the practical comparison of which remedy applies to which project type and why getting the classification right on day one matters.