In our state the subs file online liens and then release them when they are paid and you can do it all via your cell phone. Our GC ensures they release all claims when paid.

We hired a company to manage it all as part of our permitting process.

Don't you have a contract with your GC? What does it say?

Right. Contract. Joint checking account? That's a new one on me.

I got a monthly invoice. I requested lien releases from all subs. They usually followed a month or so following as they got paid. Since our contract was 75% fixed it didn't matter to me what the GC paid them. Only that I got a lien release following payment.

Good luck!

Our builder filled out a monthly draw request with each subs invoice attached and listed. Once we approved the draw, it went directly to the Title Company that we hired to process all payments ($30 per draw). They submit a request to our bank who then cuts the checks from our account, sends them back to the Title Company. The title company then requests a lien release from the sub and releases the check once it's received. Very painless and absolutely protects us from a sub coming back later and saying they never got paid.

Thank you all. Yes have contract. Getting lien releases seems like one of the keys. @jannicone what state are you in? Sounds like they are really helpful. FYI, joint checking acct is convenience and only put in $ to cover what I have approved; house construction is 200 miles from my current location so quickest way to xfer money.

Quickest way is to do a wire transfer. Not have a joint checking account. That's asking for trouble. Like the builder writes a check and disappears but your overdraft covers it?

I mailed checks across the country. Never a problem. He emiled me the invoice to save time on that end.

The GC probably doesn't pay the subs until he gets the money. Hence the 1 mo delay on receiving the lien releases.

That joint checking account thing is scary imo.

Good luck!

You can get conditional lien releases from subs before payment, and then do a final unconditional lien release after they've been fully paid.

@Lily's Mom Thanks for your long post and details. You expressed my concerns as the way the GC is currently using the checking acct there is virtually no advantage to me and potentially many downsides. As I wrote in my original post I had expected that he'd be writing checks from it directly to the subs so I'd have a clear electronic "paper" trail. Unless he agrees to start doing that I will go back to making a transfer once/month into his checking account by going to local branch; quicker than wire transfer and saves money.
Again, thanks to all who have expressed concerns and recommended alternatives. This GC is nearing retirement; is very well respected, but not worth the risk of having something go awry. I expect GC will understand and not have objections, and we can both lament that other GCs have burned people and created a biz atmosphere where it is hard (or foolish) to be trusting. From my point of view, while I am monitoring on occasion the actual work, there is a lot of trust in a GC that they are doing things properly and well; the monetary payment is just one aspect of a relationship that has a lot based on trust (with verification).