{"name":"Mechanics and construction lien deadlines by jurisdiction","publisher":"Pavado Technologies Inc.","source":"https://www.pavadotech.com/lien-deadlines","updated":"2026-09-24","note":"General information from the cited statutes, not legal advice.","jurisdictions":[{"slug":"alabama","name":"Alabama","country":"US","answer":"In Alabama, file a verified lien statement with the probate judge within 6 months after last work or materials if you are the original contractor, 4 months if you are a sub or supplier, and 30 days if you are a journeyman or day laborer. Anyone other than the original contractor must give the owner written notice before filing. Sue within 6 months after the entire debt matures.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"No statutory preliminary notice for original contractors. Suppliers to a contractor or subcontractor may send an optional pre-furnishing notice of intended materials and prices under 35-11-210; without it their lien is limited to the unpaid balance owed to the contractor.","deadline":"Optional supplier notice must be given before furnishing the material. Separately, every claimant except the original contractor must give the owner written notice of the lien claim before filing the lien statement (35-11-218).","note":"If the owner objects in writing before the material is used, the full-price lien from the 35-11-210 notice does not apply."},"lienDeadline":"File the verified statement in the office of the judge of probate of the county: original contractor within 6 months, journeyman and day laborer within 30 days, every other claimant (subs, suppliers) within 4 months, all measured from the last item of work or labor performed or material furnished.","enforcementDeadline":"Action to enforce must be commenced within 6 months after the maturity of the entire indebtedness secured by the lien.","otherNotices":["Notice of lien claim (35-11-218): every claimant other than the original contractor must give the owner written notice of the claim, amount, for what and from whom owed, before filing. Not required for material covered by an advance 35-11-210 notice.","Unpaid balance rule (35-11-210): without the advance supplier notice, a sub or supplier's lien is limited to the unpaid balance the owner owes the contractor."],"statute":[{"label":"Ala. Code 35-11-210 (lien declared; supplier notice)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-35/chapter-11/article-5/division-8/section-35-11-210/"},{"label":"Ala. Code 35-11-213 (verified statement)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-35/chapter-11/article-5/division-8/section-35-11-213/"},{"label":"Ala. Code 35-11-215 (time for filing)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-35/chapter-11/article-5/division-8/section-35-11-215/"},{"label":"Ala. Code 35-11-218 (notice by non-original contractors)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-35/chapter-11/article-5/division-8/section-35-11-218/"},{"label":"Ala. Code 35-11-221 (limitation of actions)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-35/chapter-11/article-5/division-8/section-35-11-221/"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Read from the 2025 Code of Alabama on Justia. Original contractor period is 6 months, not 4. Section 35-11-218 sets no fixed day count for the pre-filing notice.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"alaska","name":"Alaska","country":"US","answer":"In Alaska, record your claim of lien within 120 days after you complete your contract or stop furnishing labor or materials. If the owner records a notice of completion, claimants who got advance notice of it, or who never gave a notice of right to lien, have only 15 days after it is recorded. Sue to enforce within six months after recording the claim.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Not mandatory. Any claimant may give the owner a notice of right to lien before furnishing labor, material, services or equipment (AS 34.35.064). Giving it shifts the burden of proof to the owner on knowledge and consent, and it protects the full 120-day recording period if the owner later records a notice of completion.","deadline":"Optional; given before furnishing labor, material, services or equipment for the project","note":"Upon request from the owner, lender or prime contractor, a claimant who gave the notice must disclose the amount due within five days."},"lienDeadline":"Record the claim of lien no later than 120 days after the claimant completes the construction contract or ceases furnishing labor, material, services or equipment, if no notice of completion is recorded (AS 34.35.068(a)). If the owner records a notice of completion, a claimant who received advance notice of it or who never gave a notice of right to lien must record a claim of lien or notice of right to lien within 15 days after the notice of completion is recorded (AS 34.35.068(b)).","enforcementDeadline":"The lien does not bind the property for more than six months after the claim of lien is recorded unless an enforcement action is commenced within that time, or within six months after an extension notice recorded during the original six-month period (AS 34.35.080).","otherNotices":["Notice of completion: the owner must give at least five days advance notice to claimants who gave a notice of right to lien or a stop-lending notice (AS 34.35.071).","Stop-lending notice: a claimant whose payment is past due may tell the construction lender to stop disbursing; it expires on the 91st day unless an action is commenced (AS 34.35.062)."],"statute":[{"label":"AS 34.35.050 to 34.35.120 (Alaska Legislature)","url":"https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=34.35.050&secEnd=34.35.125"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"arizona","name":"Arizona","country":"US","answer":"In Arizona, everyone except wage laborers, including prime contractors, must serve a preliminary 20-day notice within 20 days after first furnishing to the jobsite. Record the notice and claim of lien within 120 days after completion, or within 60 days after a recorded notice of completion. Sue and record a lis pendens within six months after recording the lien.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Every person furnishing labor, professional services, materials, machinery, fixtures or tools, except a person performing actual labor for wages. This includes original contractors in a direct contract with the owner. Serve the owner, original contractor, construction lender and the person you contracted with (A.R.S. 33-992.01(B)).","deadline":"Within 20 days after first furnishing labor, services or materials to the jobsite","note":"A late notice still works going forward, but only covers work furnished within 20 days before it was served and after (33-992.01(E)). Serve by first class mail with certificate of mailing, or registered or certified mail."},"lienDeadline":"Record the notice and claim of lien within 120 days after completion of the building, structure or improvement, or within 60 days after the owner records a notice of completion, then serve a copy on the owner within a reasonable time (A.R.S. 33-993(A)). Completion is the earlier of 30 days after final inspection and written acceptance, or 60 consecutive days of cessation of labor; if there is no permit or final inspection, it is the last date anything was furnished.","enforcementDeadline":"The lien expires six months after it is recorded unless an action to enforce it is brought and a notice of pendency of action (lis pendens) is recorded within that period (A.R.S. 33-998).","residentialRules":"Against an owner-occupant's single-family or two-family dwelling, only a person who has a written contract directly with the owner-occupant can record a lien (A.R.S. 33-1002). Subcontractors and suppliers have no lien on those homes.","otherNotices":["If the owner fails to mail a recorded notice of completion within 15 days to anyone who gave a preliminary 20-day notice, that person keeps the full 120 days from completion (33-993(I))."],"statute":[{"label":"A.R.S. 33-992.01 (preliminary 20-day notice)","url":"https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/00992-01.htm"},{"label":"A.R.S. 33-993 (recording the lien)","url":"https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/00993.htm"},{"label":"A.R.S. 33-998 (six months to foreclose)","url":"https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/00998.htm"},{"label":"A.R.S. 33-1002 (owner-occupied dwellings)","url":"https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01002.htm"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"arkansas","name":"Arkansas","country":"US","answer":"In Arkansas, file the lien with the circuit clerk within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials, after giving the owner 10 days' notice before filing. On residential property of four or fewer units, the contractor must deliver the statutory notice before work starts. On commercial jobs, subs and suppliers must send a notice of nonpayment within 75 days. Sue within 15 months after filing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Residential (4 or fewer units): the residential contractor must give the owner the statutory notice on behalf of all potential lien claimants; no one can claim a lien unless the owner received at least one copy. Commercial (nonresidential or 5+ units): subcontractors, suppliers, laborers and service providers must notify the owner (and the contractor) that they are entitled to payment but unpaid. Primes on commercial jobs need no pre-lien notice.","deadline":"Residential: before commencement of work. Commercial sub/supplier notice: before 75 days have elapsed from the time the labor was supplied or materials furnished.","note":"Residential notice not required if the contractor supplies a performance and payment bond or for a direct sale to the owner (18-44-115(a)(8)). A residential contractor who fails to give it loses lien rights and faces a fine up to $1,000."},"lienDeadline":"File a just and true account with the clerk of the circuit court of the county within 120 days after the materials were furnished or the work performed, with an affidavit of notice attached (same for primes and subs). A street address alone is not a sufficient property description.","enforcementDeadline":"Action must be commenced within 15 months after filing the lien; the lien expires after 15 months unless suit is filed and a lis pendens is recorded within that time.","residentialRules":"Residential real estate of 4 or fewer units requires the 18-44-115(a) notice, in the exact boldface all-caps statutory wording, delivered by personal delivery or certified mail before work starts. A sub who gives the notice after the project commences secures only work supplied after the notice.","otherNotices":["Notice of intent (18-44-114): every claimant must give the owner 10 days' notice before filing the lien, stating the amount and from whom due.","Affidavit of notice (18-44-117): the lien filing must include a sworn statement of compliance with 18-44-114 to 18-44-116, copies of the notices, and proof of service; the clerk will not file a lien without it."],"statute":[{"label":"Ark. Code 18-44-114 (10-day notice before filing)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-18/subtitle-4/chapter-44/subchapter-1/section-18-44-114/"},{"label":"Ark. Code 18-44-115 (residential and commercial notices)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-18/subtitle-4/chapter-44/subchapter-1/section-18-44-115/"},{"label":"Ark. Code 18-44-117 (filing of lien)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-18/subtitle-4/chapter-44/subchapter-1/section-18-44-117/"},{"label":"Ark. Code 18-44-119 (limitation of actions)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-18/subtitle-4/chapter-44/subchapter-1/section-18-44-119/"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Read from the 2025 Arkansas Code on Justia. The filing deadline is 120 days (18-44-117, last amended by Act 806 of 2019), not 150 days. 18-44-116 was not reviewed.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"california","name":"California","country":"US","answer":"In California, subcontractors and suppliers must serve a preliminary notice within 20 days of first furnishing work. Direct contractors record a lien after finishing their contract but within 90 days after completion, or 60 days after a recorded notice of completion; everyone else within 90 days, or 30 days after that notice. Sue to foreclose within 90 days after recording.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Every claimant except laborers must give preliminary notice to the owner, the direct contractor and the construction lender (Civ. Code 8200). A direct contractor in a direct contract with the owner only has to give it to the construction lender, if there is one (8200(e)(2)).","deadline":"Within 20 days after the claimant first furnishes work on the work of improvement (Civ. Code 8204)","note":"A late notice is allowed but only protects work furnished within 20 days before it was given and after (8204(a))."},"lienDeadline":"Direct contractors: record after completing the direct contract and before the earlier of 90 days after completion of the work of improvement or 60 days after the owner records a notice of completion or cessation (Civ. Code 8412). All other claimants: record after ceasing to provide work and before the earlier of 90 days after completion or 30 days after a recorded notice of completion or cessation (Civ. Code 8414).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence an action to enforce the lien within 90 days after recording the claim of lien, or it expires and is unenforceable (Civ. Code 8460). A recorded credit extension can push this out, but never later than one year after completion.","otherNotices":["A copy of the claim of lien, including the Notice of Mechanics Lien and a proof of service affidavit, must be served on the owner; failure makes the lien unenforceable as a matter of law (Civ. Code 8416)."],"statute":[{"label":"Cal. Civ. Code 8200 (who gives preliminary notice)","url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=8200"},{"label":"Cal. Civ. Code 8204 (20-day preliminary notice)","url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=8204"},{"label":"Cal. Civ. Code 8412 (direct contractor lien)","url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=8412"},{"label":"Cal. Civ. Code 8414 (other claimants lien)","url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=8414"},{"label":"Cal. Civ. Code 8416 (service on owner)","url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=8416"},{"label":"Cal. Civ. Code 8460 (90 days to foreclose)","url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=8460"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"colorado","name":"Colorado","country":"US","answer":"Colorado has no preliminary notice. Serve a notice of intent to file a lien statement on the owner and prime contractor at least 10 days before filing. File the lien statement within four months after your last labor or materials (two months after completion for day or piece laborers). Start the enforcement action and record notice of it within six months after last work or completion.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"No preliminary notice is required. Subcontractors and suppliers (not the principal contractor) may optionally give the owner or lender a written notice of amounts owed so the owner withholds funds (C.R.S. 38-22-102(4)).","deadline":"None required"},"lienDeadline":"Lien statements for day or piece labor must be filed within two months after completion of the improvement (C.R.S. 38-22-109(4)). All other claimants must file within four months after the day the claimant last performed labor or furnished laborers or materials (38-22-109(5)). A notice of intent to file must be served on the owner and principal contractor at least 10 days before filing (38-22-109(3)).","enforcementDeadline":"The lien does not hold the property longer than six months after the last work or materials were furnished, or after completion of the improvement, unless an action is commenced and a notice of the action is recorded within that time (C.R.S. 38-22-110).","residentialRules":"For an existing single-family dwelling or a single-family owner-occupied home, it is an affirmative defense that the owner paid the full contract amount to the principal contractor (C.R.S. 38-22-102(3.5)). Subs and suppliers can lose their lien if the owner already paid.","otherNotices":["An optional recorded notice under 38-22-109(10) can extend the filing time to four months after completion or six months after the notice, whichever is first.","Abandonment (three months with no work) is treated as completion (38-22-109(7))."],"statute":[{"label":"C.R.S. 38-22-102, 38-22-109, 38-22-110 (Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 38)","url":"https://content.leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-38.pdf"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Text read from the Colorado General Assembly's 2024 printout of Title 38; no later official printout was available at that address.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"connecticut","name":"Connecticut","country":"US","answer":"In Connecticut, record a mechanic's lien certificate with the town clerk within 90 days after you stop furnishing labor or materials, then serve the owner within 30 days after recording. Subcontractors without an owner-approved written contract must also serve a notice of intent within that 90-day window. Foreclose and record a lis pendens within one year of recording.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Anyone other than the original contractor, or a subcontractor whose written contract with the original contractor was assented to in writing by the owner, must serve a written notice of intent to claim a lien on the owner and on the original contractor.","deadline":"After commencing work and not later than 90 days after ceasing to furnish materials or render services (CGS 49-35(a)).","note":"This is not an up-front preliminary notice: it may be served at any point in the 90-day window. The original contractor is entitled to receive it only if, within 15 days after starting work, it recorded an affidavit with the town clerk stating its business name, business address and the property. The served notice with the officer's return must be returned to the claimant within 30 days after the lien certificate is filed."},"lienDeadline":"Lodge a sworn lien certificate with the town clerk of the town where the property is located within 90 days after ceasing to perform services or furnish materials, and serve a true and attested copy on the owner within 30 days after lodging it (CGS 49-34).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence a foreclosure action (complaint, cross-complaint or counterclaim) and record a notice of lis pendens on the land records within one year from the date the lien was recorded, or within 60 days after final disposition of an owner's application to discharge or reduce the lien under CGS 49-35a, whichever is later. Otherwise the lien is invalid and discharged as a matter of law (CGS 49-39).","otherNotices":["An owner may apply to the Superior Court for a hearing to discharge or reduce the lien, with at least four days' notice to the lienor (CGS 49-35a).","A subcontractor's lien cannot exceed, in total, the amount the owner agreed to pay the person through whom the subcontractor claims (CGS 49-33(e)).","A mechanic's lien is foreclosed in the same manner as a mortgage (CGS 49-33(i))."],"statute":[{"label":"Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 847 (49-33 to 49-39)","url":"https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_847.htm"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"delaware","name":"Delaware","country":"US","answer":"In Delaware, a prime contractor who contracted with the owner and supplied labor and materials must file a statement of claim in Superior Court within 180 days after the structure is completed. Subcontractors and suppliers have 120 days from finishing their labor or last delivery. The filed statement can serve as the complaint, and the case proceeds by writ of scire facias.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"None. Delaware's mechanics' lien chapter does not require a preliminary notice from contractors, subcontractors or suppliers.","deadline":"Not applicable."},"lienDeadline":"Prime contractors who contracted directly with the owner and furnished both labor and material (or construction management services): file the statement of claim with the Prothonotary of the Superior Court within 180 days after completion of the structure. The filing is also timely if made within 180 days of any listed event, including the contract completion date, the date 90% of the contract price is received, submission of the final invoice, issuance of a certificate of occupancy, owner acceptance, an architect's certificate of completion, or completion of permanent financing (25 Del. C. 2711(a)). All others, including subcontractors and suppliers: within 120 days from completion of their labor or last delivery of materials, or within 120 days of the date their final payment (including retainage) is due or the date final payment is made to the prime contractor (25 Del. C. 2711(b)).","enforcementDeadline":"The statement of claim may also serve as the complaint when so denominated (25 Del. C. 2712(a)). Recovery proceeds by writ of scire facias, served on the owner and left with a resident or posted on the structure (25 Del. C. 2714, 2715). Subchapter II sets no separate later deadline to start foreclosure because the timely filing itself commences the claim.","residentialRules":"No lien may be obtained against land or a structure used solely as the owner's residence when the owner has made full or final payment in good faith to the contractor. Before or at final payment the contractor must give the owner a notarized certification that all labor and materials are paid, or lien releases from everyone entitled to claim (25 Del. C. 2707).","otherNotices":["Claims must exceed $25 (25 Del. C. 2702, 2712(b)(9)).","Improvements to land alone require a signed written contract with specific terms before a lien can attach (25 Del. C. 2703)."],"statute":[{"label":"25 Del. C. ch. 27, subch. I (2701 to 2708)","url":"https://delcode.delaware.gov/title25/c027/sc01/index.html"},{"label":"25 Del. C. ch. 27, subch. II (2711 to 2729)","url":"https://delcode.delaware.gov/title25/c027/sc02/index.html"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"washington-dc","name":"District of Columbia","country":"US","answer":"In Washington, DC, record a notice of intent in the land records during construction or within 90 days after the earlier of project completion or termination. Contractors must mail the owner a copy by certified mail within 5 business days; subcontractors must serve the owner. File suit within 180 days after recording and record a notice of pendency within 10 days of filing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"None required to preserve lien rights. Subcontractors, materialmen and suppliers may give the owner written notice of amounts due to them.","deadline":"Optional, at any time while the owner still owes the prime contractor.","note":"If the owner receives that written notice while it still owes the prime at least the noticed amount, later payments to the prime are prima facie not made in good faith (D.C. Code 40-303.02(b)). Contract clauses that bar subs from contacting the owner are void to that extent."},"lienDeadline":"Record a notice of intent in the land records during construction or within 90 days after the earlier of completion or termination of the project; otherwise the lien terminates (D.C. Code 40-301.02(a)(1)). A contractor must send a copy to the owner by certified mail within 5 business days after recording, or post it on the property if the mail is returned (40-301.02(a)(2)). Subcontractors and suppliers hired by the prime have the same rights and obligations and must also serve the notice on the owner; until they do, the owner's payments to the prime reduce their lien (40-303.01, 40-303.03).","enforcementDeadline":"File suit (a bill in equity) within 180 days after the notice of intent is recorded, and record a notice of pendency of action in the land records within 10 days of filing suit. Missing either deadline terminates the lien (D.C. Code 40-303.13, 40-303.08).","residentialRules":"If the work was done under a home improvement contract, a copy of that contract must be attached to the notice of intent (D.C. Code 40-301.02(b)(8)).","otherNotices":["If the owner has paid the prime contractor in full in good faith, subcontractors and suppliers have no lien (D.C. Code 40-303.02(b)).","The notice of intent must include the contractor's license and a recent certificate of good standing where applicable, plus a sworn, notarized statement (D.C. Code 40-301.02(b))."],"statute":[{"label":"D.C. Code 40-301.01 (contractor lien)","url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/40-301.01"},{"label":"D.C. Code 40-301.02 (notice of intent)","url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/40-301.02"},{"label":"D.C. Code 40-303.02 (subcontractor limits)","url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/40-303.02"},{"label":"D.C. Code 40-303.03 (notice to owner)","url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/40-303.03"},{"label":"D.C. Code 40-303.13 (time to sue)","url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/40-303.13"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"florida","name":"Florida","country":"US","answer":"In Florida, subs and suppliers not in privity with the owner must serve a Notice to Owner within 45 days of first furnishing. Every lienor must record a claim of lien within 90 days of final furnishing and serve it on the owner within 15 days of recording. Sue within 1 year of recording, or within 60 days if the owner records a notice of contest.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"All lienors not in privity with the owner (subs, sub-subs, suppliers) except laborers must serve a Notice to Owner. Sub-subs and suppliers to subs must also serve a copy on the contractor; a supplier to a sub-sub must also serve the subcontractor if it knows its name and address. Contractors in privity with the owner do not serve it.","deadline":"Before commencing, or not later than 45 days after commencing, to furnish labor, services or materials, and in any event before the owner disburses final payment after the contractor furnishes its final affidavit (713.06(2)(a))."},"lienDeadline":"Record the claim of lien at any time during the work but not later than 90 days after the lienor's final furnishing of labor, services or materials (713.08(5)). Serve it on the owner before recording or within 15 days after; late service makes it voidable to the extent it prejudices someone (713.08(4)(c)). Same deadline for contractors and subs.","enforcementDeadline":"Within 1 year after the claim of lien is recorded (713.22(1)). If the owner records a notice of contest of lien, suit must be filed within 60 days of service of that notice or the lien is automatically extinguished (713.22(2)).","residentialRules":"Contractors in direct contract with an owner for improvements over $2,500 to a 1 to 4 unit dwelling must include the statutory Florida Construction Lien Law disclosure in the contract (12 point bold capitals on the first page or a separate signed page). Failing to give it does not bar a lien against a person not adversely affected (713.015).","otherNotices":["Contractor's final payment affidavit (713.06(3)(d)): a contractor in privity must give the owner a final affidavit at least 5 days before filing suit to enforce its lien, even if the contract was terminated; a contractor in default on the affidavit has no lien or right of action.","Notice of commencement (713.13): recorded by the owner before work starts and posted on site; it expires 1 year after recording unless a different date is stated. Owner payments after expiration are improper payments.","Notice of contest of lien (713.22(2)): shortens the enforcement window to 60 days."],"statute":[{"label":"Fla. Stat. 713.015 (residential contract disclosure)","url":"http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0713/Sections/0713.015.html"},{"label":"Fla. Stat. 713.06 (Notice to Owner, contractor final affidavit)","url":"http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0713/Sections/0713.06.html"},{"label":"Fla. Stat. 713.08 (claim of lien)","url":"http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0713/Sections/0713.08.html"},{"label":"Fla. Stat. 713.13 (notice of commencement)","url":"http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0713/Sections/0713.13.html"},{"label":"Fla. Stat. 713.22 (duration of lien, notice of contest)","url":"http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0713/Sections/0713.22.html"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Read from the 2026 Florida Statutes on the official Florida Legislature site.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"georgia","name":"Georgia","country":"US","answer":"In Georgia, file your claim of lien within 90 days after you finish work or last furnish materials, and mail the owner a copy within 2 business days. Start a lien action within 365 days of filing and file a notice of commencement of lien action within 30 days of suing. Parties without privity to the contractor must send a notice to contractor within 30 days.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Only claimants who lack privity of contract with the contractor (for example, sub-subs and suppliers to subs), and only when a notice of commencement has been filed. Prime contractors and first-tier subs do not send it.","deadline":"Within 30 days from the filing of the notice of commencement or 30 days after first delivering labor, services or materials to the property, whichever is later, sent by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the owner and the contractor (44-14-361.5(a), (c)).","note":"If no notice of commencement is filed, this notice to contractor does not apply. The contractor must give a copy of the notice of commencement within 10 days of a written request, or the requirement does not apply to the requester."},"lienDeadline":"Within 90 days after completion of the claimant's work or within 90 days after the material or machinery is furnished, file the claim of lien with the clerk of superior court for the county (44-14-361.1(a)(2)). Within 2 business days after filing, send a copy by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the owner (and to the contractor if a notice of commencement was filed). Same rule for primes and subs.","enforcementDeadline":"Commence a lien action within 365 days from the date the claim of lien was filed, and within 30 days after commencing it file a notice of commencement of lien action with the superior court clerk (44-14-361.1(a)(3)). A lien with no notice of commencement of lien action filed within 395 days of filing may be disregarded (44-14-367).","residentialRules":"No separate residential notice regime was found in the lien statutes; the same deadlines apply.","otherNotices":["Notice of commencement (44-14-361.5(b)): filed by the owner, owner's agent or contractor with the superior court clerk within 15 days after the contractor physically starts work, and posted on site.","Preliminary notice of lien rights (44-14-361.3): optional; if used, file within 30 days after first furnishing and mail a copy to the contractor or owner within 7 days. A lien can be enforced without it.","Notice of contest (44-14-368): an owner or contractor can shorten the enforcement window to 60 days from receipt of the notice; the lien is extinguished 90 days after the contest is filed if no notice of commencement of lien action is filed.","Lien waivers (44-14-366): must use the statutory interim or final waiver forms; rights cannot be waived in advance. A signed waiver becomes conclusive 90 days after execution unless the claimant files an affidavit of nonpayment in the county before then.","The claim of lien must state that it expires 395 days after filing if no notice of commencement of lien action is filed, and must tell the owner of the right to contest; omitting either invalidates it (44-14-361.1, 44-14-367)."],"statute":[{"label":"O.C.G.A. 44-14-361.1 (claim of lien, lien action)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-44/chapter-14/article-8/part-3/section-44-14-361-1/"},{"label":"O.C.G.A. 44-14-361.3 (preliminary notice of lien rights)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-44/chapter-14/article-8/part-3/section-44-14-361-3/"},{"label":"O.C.G.A. 44-14-361.5 (notice of commencement, notice to contractor)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-44/chapter-14/article-8/part-3/section-44-14-361-5/"},{"label":"O.C.G.A. 44-14-366 (lien waivers)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-44/chapter-14/article-8/part-3/section-44-14-366/"},{"label":"O.C.G.A. 44-14-367 (395-day expiration statement)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-44/chapter-14/article-8/part-3/section-44-14-367/"},{"label":"O.C.G.A. 44-14-368 (notice of contest)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-44/chapter-14/article-8/part-3/section-44-14-368/"}],"confidence":"medium","notes":"Read from the 2025 Georgia Code on Justia (latest edition posted). The optional 30-day item in the lead is the preliminary notice of lien rights (44-14-361.3); the mandatory 30-day notice is the notice to contractor (44-14-361.5).","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"hawaii","name":"Hawaii","country":"US","answer":"Hawaii has no preliminary notice. File an Application for a Lien and Notice of Lien in circuit court within 45 days after the date of completion, which is set by a published and filed notice of completion (or one year after actual completion if none is filed). A probable cause hearing follows. The lien expires three months after the order directing it to attach unless you sue.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"No statutory preliminary notice for private work.","deadline":"None required"},"lienDeadline":"File the Application for a Lien and Notice of Lien with the circuit court no later than 45 days after the date of completion of the improvement, and serve it on the owner, anyone with an interest, and the party who contracted for the work (HRS 507-43(a), (b)). The date of completion is when a notice of completion is published twice, seven days apart, and the affidavit of publication is filed; if no valid notice is published and filed within one year after actual completion, the date of completion is one year after actual completion (507-43(f), (g)).","enforcementDeadline":"The lien does not attach until the court finds probable cause and orders it. It expires three months after entry of the Order Directing Lien to Attach unless proceedings to enforce it are commenced within that time (HRS 507-43(e)).","residentialRules":"On property used primarily as a dwelling, a supplier has no lien for materials furnished to an unlicensed contractor or where it unreasonably extended credit to the contractor (HRS 507-49).","otherNotices":["The Application and Notice is returnable 3 to 10 days after service for the probable cause hearing (507-43(a))."],"statute":[{"label":"HRS 507-43 (filing, time, duration)","url":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol12_Ch0501-0588/HRS0507/HRS_0507-0043.htm"},{"label":"HRS 507-47 (enforcement)","url":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol12_Ch0501-0588/HRS0507/HRS_0507-0047.htm"},{"label":"HRS 507-49 (dwelling exceptions)","url":"https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol12_Ch0501-0588/HRS0507/HRS_0507-0049.htm"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"idaho","name":"Idaho","country":"US","answer":"Idaho has no preliminary notice for subcontractors or suppliers. File your claim of lien with the county recorder within 90 days after you complete your labor or services or last furnish materials, and serve a copy on the owner within five business days after filing. Start foreclosure within six months after filing. General contractors on residential jobs over $2,000 owe homeowner disclosures.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"No preliminary notice for subcontractors or suppliers. A general contractor contracting with a homeowner or residential purchaser for more than $2,000 must give a lien disclosure statement before entering the contract and keep the signed acknowledgment (Idaho Code 45-525).","deadline":"General contractor residential disclosure: before signing the contract","note":"Proof of the 45-525 disclosure and acknowledgment must be included in the claim of lien for work subject to that section (45-507(3)(e))."},"lienDeadline":"File the claim of lien with the county recorder within 90 days after completion of the claimant's labor or services, or the last furnishing of materials (Idaho Code 45-507(2)). Serve a true copy on the owner by personal service or certified mail no later than five business days after filing (45-507(5)).","enforcementDeadline":"The lien does not bind the property longer than six months after the claim is filed unless foreclosure proceedings are commenced within that time (or six months after a payment or credit extension endorsed on the lien record) (Idaho Code 45-510).","residentialRules":"Residential means one to four dwelling units, owner or non-owner occupied. The general contractor must also give a list of its direct subcontractors and suppliers over $500 before closing or final payment (45-525(3)).","statute":[{"label":"Idaho Code 45-507 (claim of lien)","url":"https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title45/T45CH5/SECT45-507/"},{"label":"Idaho Code 45-510 (duration)","url":"https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title45/T45CH5/SECT45-510/"},{"label":"Idaho Code 45-525 (residential disclosures)","url":"https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title45/T45CH5/SECT45-525/"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"illinois","name":"Illinois","country":"US","answer":"In Illinois, a contractor must record the lien claim within 4 months after completion to hold it against third parties, and within 2 years as against the owner. Subcontractors must serve the owner written notice within 90 days after completing their work, plus a 60-day notice on owner-occupied single-family homes. Suit must be filed within 2 years after completion.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Contractors in direct contract with the owner give no preliminary notice. Subcontractors and suppliers must serve the owner (and known lender) a notice of claim. On an existing owner-occupied single-family residence, subcontractors must also notify the occupant early in the job.","deadline":"Sub 90-day notice: within 90 days after completion of the sub's work, or of extra work or final delivery of extra material (60/24). Residential sub notice: within 60 days after first furnishing (60/21(c)); later notice preserves the lien only to the extent the owner was not prejudiced by payments made before receiving it.","note":"The 90-day notice is not needed where the contractor's sworn statement already gives the owner notice of the amount due and to whom. Serve by certified or registered mail, national tracked courier, or personal service; served when mailed or placed with the carrier."},"lienDeadline":"Contractor: record a verified claim for lien with the county recorder within 4 months after completion (or completion of extra work) to enforce against other creditors, encumbrancers and purchasers; as to the owner, within 2 years after completion (60/7). Subcontractors: same time limits as the contractor (60/28), running from completion of their own work.","enforcementDeadline":"Suit to enforce must be commenced (or counterclaim filed) within 2 years after completion of the contract or of extra work or material (60/9). If the owner or an interested party serves a written demand, suit must be filed within 30 days or the lien is forfeited (60/34).","residentialRules":"Owner-occupied single-family residence: the contractor must give the owner the boldface sworn-statement notice before the first payment (60/5(b)), and must give the owner written notice within 10 days after recording a lien, or the lien is extinguished to the extent of the owner's resulting damages (60/7(d)). Subs must give the 60-day notice under 60/21(c).","otherNotices":["Contractor's sworn statement (60/5): before receiving payment, the contractor must give the owner a sworn list of all parties furnishing labor or materials and amounts due.","Demand to sue (60/34): a written demand by the owner or interested party forces suit within 30 days or forfeiture of the lien.","Subs may sue 10 days after serving notice if unpaid (60/28)."],"statute":[{"label":"770 ILCS 60/5 (sworn statement; residential notice)","url":"https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=077000600K5"},{"label":"770 ILCS 60/7 (claim for lien, 4 months)","url":"https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=077000600K7"},{"label":"770 ILCS 60/9 (suit within 2 years)","url":"https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=077000600K9"},{"label":"770 ILCS 60/21 (subcontractor lien; residential 60-day notice)","url":"https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=077000600K21"},{"label":"770 ILCS 60/24 (subcontractor 90-day notice)","url":"https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=077000600K24"},{"label":"770 ILCS 60/28 (sub time limits same as contractor)","url":"https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=077000600K28"},{"label":"770 ILCS 60/34 (30-day demand to sue)","url":"https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=077000600K34"}],"confidence":"medium","notes":"Read from ILGA official text. Sections 5, 21 and 24 were amended by P.A. 103-827, effective 1-1-2025 (adds tracked courier service for the 90-day notice). The 60-day residential notice is in 60/21(c), not 60/5.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"indiana","name":"Indiana","country":"US","answer":"In Indiana, record a sworn statement and notice of intention to hold a lien within 90 days after last performing labor or furnishing materials, or within 60 days on Class 2 (one and two family) residential structures. Suppliers and subs on owner-occupied homes must send early notices of 30 or 60 days. Sue to foreclose within 1 year after recording.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Commercial: no preliminary notice. Residential: anyone furnishing labor, materials or machinery on credit to someone other than the owner (subs, suppliers) on (1) alteration or repair of an owner-occupied single or double family dwelling, or (2) original construction of a single or double family dwelling for the owner's occupancy. Contractors dealing directly with the owner are exempt.","deadline":"Alteration or repair of owner-occupied single or double family dwelling: written notice to the occupying owner within 30 days after first delivery or labor (32-28-3-1(h)). Original construction of single or double family dwelling: written notice to the owner and a copy filed with the county recorder within 60 days after first delivery or labor (32-28-3-1(i)).","note":"These notices are a condition precedent to acquiring a lien."},"lienDeadline":"File in duplicate a sworn statement and notice of intention to hold a lien with the county recorder within 90 days after performing labor or furnishing materials or machinery; within 60 days for work on a Class 2 structure (as defined in IC 22-12-1-5) or an auxiliary improvement on the same real estate (32-28-3-3). Same for primes and subs.","enforcementDeadline":"File a complaint to enforce within 1 year after the notice of intention to hold a lien was recorded, or after expiration of a written, recorded credit; otherwise the lien is void (32-28-3-6). If the owner or an interested party sends written notice to foreclose, suit must be filed within 30 days after receipt or the lien is void (32-28-3-10).","residentialRules":"Class 2 structures get a shorter 60-day lien filing window. A written, acknowledged no-lien contract for Class 2 work recorded within 5 days after execution can bar subcontractor liens (32-28-3-1(e) to (f)). An innocent purchaser of a new single or double family dwelling takes free of an original-construction lien unless it was recorded before the deed (32-28-3-1(j)).","otherNotices":["Notice to file foreclosure action (32-28-3-10): owner or interested party can force suit within 30 days after the lienholder receives notice.","The county recorder mails one duplicate of the lien to the owner within 3 business days after recording (32-28-3-3(d))."],"statute":[{"label":"Ind. Code 32-28-3-1 (who may lien; residential notices)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-28/chapter-3/section-32-28-3-1/"},{"label":"Ind. Code 32-28-3-3 (notice of intention to hold lien; 90/60 days)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-28/chapter-3/section-32-28-3-3/"},{"label":"Ind. Code 32-28-3-6 (enforcement within 1 year)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-28/chapter-3/section-32-28-3-6/"},{"label":"Ind. Code 32-28-3-10 (30-day notice to foreclose)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-28/chapter-3/section-32-28-3-10/"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Read from the 2025 Indiana Code on Justia (official iga.in.gov viewer would not render). Filing deadlines are in 32-28-3-3, not 32-28-3-1. No 2024 to 2026 amendments appear in the section histories shown (latest: P.L.81-2020 for 3-1, P.L.45-2016 for 3-6, P.L.196-2019 for 3-10).","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"iowa","name":"Iowa","country":"US","answer":"Iowa liens are posted on the state Mechanics' Notice and Lien Registry. Post within 90 days after your last labor or materials to keep full rights. A later posting, up to 2 years and 90 days, requires notice to the owner and only reaches the balance the owner still owes the general contractor. Sue within 2 years after that 90-day period ends.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Residential: a general contractor who has or will have subcontractors must give the owner the statutory owner notice and post a notice of commencement on the registry, and every subcontractor must post a preliminary notice on the registry, or they lose lien rights. Commercial: only a person furnishing to a subcontractor (second tier or lower) must send a one-time written notice to the general contractor or owner-builder. General contractors and first-tier subs on commercial jobs send no preliminary notice.","deadline":"Residential notice of commencement: within 10 days after work commences. Residential subcontractor preliminary notice: no fixed day count, but the lien only reaches the balance due the general contractor when the notice is posted and when the owner receives it, so post it immediately. Commercial lower-tier notice: within 30 days after first furnishing labor or materials.","note":"If the general contractor fails to post the notice of commencement within 10 days, a subcontractor may post it together with its preliminary notice. A notice of commencement must exist on the registry before any preliminary notice can be posted."},"lienDeadline":"Both general contractors and subcontractors post a verified statement of account on the Mechanics' Notice and Lien Registry. Post within 90 days after the last material was furnished or last labor performed for full rights. A lien may still be posted up to 2 years and 90 days after last furnishing if written notice is served on the owner, but it is then enforceable only to the extent of the balance the owner owed the general contractor when that notice was served.","enforcementDeadline":"An action to enforce must be brought within 2 years from the expiration of 90 days after the last material was furnished or last labor performed. If the owner serves a written demand to sue, the claimant must file suit within 30 days or forfeit the lien.","residentialRules":"Residential construction adds the owner notice (572.13), the registry notice of commencement within 10 days of starting work (572.13A) and subcontractor preliminary notices on the registry (572.13B). A general contractor or subcontractor who skips its required notice is not entitled to a lien. Subcontractor liens are capped at the balance due the general contractor when the preliminary notice is posted and received by the owner.","otherNotices":["Owner notice (residential): the general contractor must give the owner a written boldface notice explaining that subs and suppliers may lien the property and pointing to the registry (572.13).","Owner demand to sue: after a written demand, the claimant has 30 days to file suit or the lien is forfeited (572.28).","A lien is limited to the county or counties identified on the registry when the notices were posted (572.8)."],"statute":[{"label":"Iowa Code 572.8 (perfection of lien)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.8.pdf"},{"label":"Iowa Code 572.9 (time of lien posting)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.9.pdf"},{"label":"Iowa Code 572.10 (posting after 90 days)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.10.pdf"},{"label":"Iowa Code 572.11 (extent of late lien)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.11.pdf"},{"label":"Iowa Code 572.13 (owner notice, residential)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.13.pdf"},{"label":"Iowa Code 572.13A (notice of commencement, residential)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.13A.pdf"},{"label":"Iowa Code 572.13B (subcontractor preliminary notice, residential)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.13B.pdf"},{"label":"Iowa Code 572.14 (owner liability to subcontractor)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.14.pdf"},{"label":"Iowa Code 572.27 (limitation on action)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.27.pdf"},{"label":"Iowa Code 572.28 (demand for bringing suit)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.28.pdf"},{"label":"Iowa Code 572.33 (commercial notification)","url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/572.33.pdf"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Verified against Iowa Code 2026 section PDFs on legis.iowa.gov. All notices and liens are posted electronically on the Mechanics' Notice and Lien Registry, not recorded with the county.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"kansas","name":"Kansas","country":"US","answer":"In Kansas, prime contractors file a lien statement within four months after last furnishing; subcontractors and suppliers within three months. On non-residential jobs, a timely notice of extension adds a fifth month. Subs on owner-occupied residential work must first mail the owner a warning statement. Sue to foreclose within one year after filing the lien statement.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"No general preliminary notice. On improvement of residential property (owner's residence or a new home for an individual, up to two families), a subcontractor or supplier must mail a warning statement to an owner, or hold an owner-signed statement that it was given, for claims over $250 (K.S.A. 60-1103a).","deadline":"No fixed day count; the owner is only protected for payments made after receiving the warning statement, so send it early"},"lienDeadline":"Original contractors: file a verified lien statement with the clerk of the district court within four months after the date materials were last furnished or labor last performed (K.S.A. 60-1102(a)). Subcontractors and suppliers: within three months after last furnishing (60-1103(a)(1)). On non-residential property the deadline becomes five months if a notice of extension is filed within the original four (prime) or three (sub) months.","enforcementDeadline":"Bring the foreclosure action within one year from filing the lien statement (K.S.A. 60-1105(a)).","residentialRules":"New residential property: after title passes to a good faith purchaser, a lien can be claimed only if the claimant filed a notice of intent to perform before the deed was recorded (K.S.A. 60-1103b). The notice of extension is not available for residential property.","otherNotices":["Subcontractor lien statements must be served on or mailed to an owner, any recorded equitable interest holder and the party obligated to pay (60-1103(c))."],"statute":[{"label":"K.S.A. 60-1102 (contractor lien statement)","url":"https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch60/060_011_0002.html"},{"label":"K.S.A. 60-1103 (subcontractor and supplier liens)","url":"https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch60/060_011_0003.html"},{"label":"K.S.A. 60-1103a (residential warning statement)","url":"https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch60/060_011_0003a.html"},{"label":"K.S.A. 60-1103b (notice of intent to perform)","url":"https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch60/060_011_0003b.html"},{"label":"K.S.A. 60-1105 (one year to foreclose)","url":"https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch60/060_011_0005.html"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"kentucky","name":"Kentucky","country":"US","answer":"In Kentucky, file your lien statement with the county clerk within 6 months after you last furnish labor or materials, and mail a copy to the owner within 7 days of filing. Subs and suppliers without a direct owner contract must send a notice of intent within 75 or 120 days after last furnishing. Sue to enforce within 12 months of filing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Anyone who did not contract directly with the owner, the owner's agent or the lessee (subcontractors, suppliers, lower tiers) must send the owner a written notice of intent to hold the property liable, stating the amount claimed. Contractors in direct contract with the owner are exempt.","deadline":"Within 75 days after the last item of material or labor is furnished on claims under $1,000, and within 120 days on claims over $1,000. On an owner-occupied single or double family dwelling, the notice is due within 75 days after last furnishing regardless of amount.","note":"Kentucky has no notice at the start of the job; this notice is sent at the back end, after furnishing. Proof of mailing to the owner's last known address is sufficient."},"lienDeadline":"File a sworn lien statement with the county clerk of the county where the property is located within 6 months after the claimant last performed labor or furnished materials. Within 7 days of filing, send a copy by regular mail to the owner's last known address, or the lien is dissolved. Same deadline for primes and subs.","enforcementDeadline":"An action to enforce must be brought within 12 months from the day the lien statement was filed with the county clerk. If the owner dies before then, an extra 6 months from the qualification of the personal representative is allowed.","residentialRules":"For an owner-occupied single or double family dwelling (and related agricultural or personal-use improvements on the same owner's contiguous land), a claimant without a direct owner contract must give the notice of intent within 75 days after last furnishing. The lien does not apply to the extent the owner paid the contractor before receiving that notice. The contractor or subcontractor cannot serve as the owner's authorized agent for this notice.","otherNotices":["Priority statement: to prime a later-recorded mortgage or conveyance, a claimant may file a statement with the county clerk before that mortgage is recorded, showing labor or materials furnished or expected (376.010(2)).","Leased property: since the 2023 amendment, a lien on lessee improvements also reaches the lessor's interest unless the lease says otherwise, and the lessee must tell the contractor of such a clause (376.010(3))."],"statute":[{"label":"KRS 376.010 (lien, notice of intent)","url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=54156"},{"label":"KRS 376.080 (filing lien statement)","url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=35289"},{"label":"KRS 376.090 (limitation on enforcement)","url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=35290"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Verified against current KRS text on apps.legislature.ky.gov; 376.010 was last amended by 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 177, effective June 29, 2023. The statute says under $1,000 (75 days) and in excess of $1,000 (120 days) and does not address a claim of exactly $1,000.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"louisiana","name":"Louisiana","country":"US","answer":"In Louisiana, file a statement of claim or privilege within 60 days after the owner files a notice of termination, or after substantial completion or abandonment if none is filed. If a notice of contract was filed, subs and suppliers get 30 days after the notice of termination. Sue within 1 year after filing your statement or the claim is extinguished.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"No general preliminary notice is required under the Private Works Act for primes, subs or suppliers. The former seller notice of nonpayment requirement was repealed by Acts 2019, No. 325.","deadline":"Not applicable. Optional: on residential work with no timely notice of contract, a claimant who gives the owner a notice of nonpayment at least 10 days before filing (and within the normal 60-day window) extends the filing deadline to 70 days.","note":"On bonded jobs, a seller may send a notice of nonpayment to the general contractor, surety and owner no sooner than 45 days after delivery; if still unpaid 90 days after delivery, the surety must pay within 10 days of a payment notice (R.S. 9:4812)."},"lienDeadline":"Default: file the statement of claim or privilege in the parish mortgage records no later than 60 days after a notice of termination is filed, or 60 days after substantial completion or abandonment if no notice of termination is filed. If a notice of contract was properly and timely filed: subs, suppliers and other R.S. 9:4802 claimants must file and deliver a copy to the owner within 30 days after a notice of termination is filed (or 6 months after substantial completion if none), and a general contractor must file within 60 days after the notice of termination (or 7 months after substantial completion if none).","enforcementDeadline":"Institute an action against the owner within 1 year after filing the statement of claim or privilege, or the claim and privilege are extinguished. A claim against the contractor or its surety survives if suit against them is filed within 1 year after the filing period under R.S. 9:4822 expires.","residentialRules":"For residential home improvements on an owner-occupied single-family dwelling, the contractor must deliver a signed Notice of Lien Rights to the owner before or when the contract is signed (Residential Truth in Construction Act, R.S. 9:4851 to 4855); failure exposes the contractor to owner damages and attorney fees if liens are perfected. On residential work without a timely notice of contract, a notice of nonpayment to the owner extends the filing window to 70 days.","otherNotices":["Notice of contract: must be filed before work begins; a general contractor whose contract exceeds $100,000 has no privilege unless the notice of contract was timely filed (R.S. 9:4811(D)).","Notice of termination: filed by the owner; it starts the filing clock. The owner must file one within 10 days of a general contractor's request once work is substantially complete or abandoned (R.S. 9:4822(F)).","Request for notice: a 4802 claimant may ask the owner in writing to notify it of substantial completion or notice of termination; if the owner fails to notify, the personal claim against the owner survives for 1 year after the filing period, though the privilege is lost (R.S. 9:4822(I), (J)).","A filed notice of contract with a compliant payment bond relieves the owner of sub and supplier claims (R.S. 9:4802(C))."],"statute":[{"label":"La. R.S. 9:4801 (privileges, owner contracts)","url":"https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108050"},{"label":"La. R.S. 9:4802 (claims against owner and contractor)","url":"https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108051"},{"label":"La. R.S. 9:4811 (notice of contract)","url":"https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108056"},{"label":"La. R.S. 9:4812 (bond; seller notice of nonpayment)","url":"https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108057"},{"label":"La. R.S. 9:4822 (preservation of claims and privileges)","url":"https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108062"},{"label":"La. R.S. 9:4823 (extinguishment)","url":"https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108063"},{"label":"La. R.S. 9:4852 (residential notice of lien rights)","url":"https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108072"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Verified against current text on legis.la.gov (Private Works Act, last amended by Acts 2019, No. 325, which repealed the former seller notice in R.S. 9:4802(G)). Louisiana calls the lien a statement of claim or privilege, filed in the parish mortgage records.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"maine","name":"Maine","country":"US","answer":"In Maine, claimants who did not contract with the owner must record a sworn lien statement at the registry of deeds within 90 days after they last furnish labor, materials or services, and mail the owner a copy. Every claimant, including prime contractors, must file suit within 120 days after the last labor or materials, then record notice of the complaint within 60 days.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"None required. A claimant with no contract with the owner may give the owner written notice that it is furnishing labor, materials or services and may claim a lien.","deadline":"Optional; it only protects sums the owner pays to its contractor after receiving it.","note":"Without a direct contract, the lien is limited to the balance the owner still owes its contractor, and owner payments made before the claimant's written notice or lawsuit reduce it (10 M.R.S. 3255(3)). An owner can also prevent a lien for future work by written notice that it will not be responsible (10 M.R.S. 3252)."},"lienDeadline":"Claimants without a contract with the owner: within 90 days after ceasing to labor, furnish materials or perform services, record a sworn statement of the amount due and property description in the registry of deeds, and send a copy to the owner by ordinary mail (10 M.R.S. 3253(1)). This filing step does not apply when the work was furnished under a contract with the owner (10 M.R.S. 3253(2)).","enforcementDeadline":"File an action in Superior Court or District Court within 120 days after the last labor or services are performed or labor, materials or services are furnished (10 M.R.S. 3255(1)). If there was no contract with the owner, the owner may not be served until 30 days after filing. Within 60 days of filing, record a clerk's certificate, an affidavit or an attested copy of the complaint in the registry of deeds; failure does not void the lien but lets a bona fide purchaser take free of it (10 M.R.S. 3261).","otherNotices":["A bona fide purchaser takes free of the lien unless the claimant has recorded the 3253 statement or a registry notice of its claim, and, once suit is filed, the 3261 notice, before the purchaser takes title (10 M.R.S. 3255(2))."],"statute":[{"label":"10 M.R.S. 3251 (lien established)","url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/10/title10sec3251.html"},{"label":"10 M.R.S. 3252 (prevention of lien)","url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/10/title10sec3252.html"},{"label":"10 M.R.S. 3253 (filing of claim)","url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/10/title10sec3253.html"},{"label":"10 M.R.S. 3255 (enforcement by action)","url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/10/title10sec3255.html"},{"label":"10 M.R.S. 3261 (notice of lien complaint)","url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/10/title10sec3261.html"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"maryland","name":"Maryland","country":"US","answer":"In Maryland, subcontractors must give the owner a written Notice of Intention to Claim a Lien within 120 days after doing the work or furnishing materials. Any claimant must then file a petition to establish the lien in circuit court within 180 days after the work is finished. The right to enforce an established lien expires one year after the petition was first filed.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Subcontractors (anyone who did not contract directly with the owner) must give the owner a written Notice to Owner of Intention to Claim a Lien in the statutory form. Prime contractors do not send it.","deadline":"Within 120 days after doing the work or furnishing the materials (Md. Code, Real Prop. 9-104(a)).","note":"Give it by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or personal delivery. If it cannot be given, it may be posted on the door or front of the building within the 120 days before a competent witness (9-104(c), (e)). Despite the timing, it is a pre-lien notice, not an up-front notice."},"lienDeadline":"File a petition to establish the mechanic's lien, with a supporting affidavit and documents, in the circuit court for the county where the land is located within 180 days after the work has been finished or the materials furnished (9-105(a)). Maryland liens are established through this court proceeding, not by recording alone.","enforcementDeadline":"The right to enforce an established lien expires one year from the day the petition to establish the lien was first filed; file the petition to enforce (or execute on any release bond) within that year (9-109).","residentialRules":"For a single family dwelling being built on the owner's land for the owner's own residence, a subcontractor has no lien if the owner paid the contractor in full before receiving the notice, and the lien cannot exceed what the owner still owed under the contract when the notice was given (9-104(a)(2), (f)(3)).","otherNotices":["Repairs or improvements are lienable only if they reach 15 percent of the building's value (9-102(a)).","No lien may be established after legal title passes to a bona fide purchaser for value, but a filed petition gives purchasers notice (9-102(d), (e)).","After receiving a sub's notice the owner may withhold the amount due that sub from the contractor (9-104(f)(1))."],"statute":[{"label":"Md. Code, Real Prop. 9-102","url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=9-102&enactments=false"},{"label":"Md. Code, Real Prop. 9-104","url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=9-104&enactments=false"},{"label":"Md. Code, Real Prop. 9-105","url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=9-105&enactments=false"},{"label":"Md. Code, Real Prop. 9-109","url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=9-109&enactments=false"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"massachusetts","name":"Massachusetts","country":"US","answer":"In Massachusetts, record a notice of contract no later than 90 days after your last work (sooner if a notice of substantial completion or termination is recorded), then record a statement of account within 120 days after last work. Sue within 90 days after the statement and record an attested copy of the complaint within 30 days of filing suit.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Optional Notice of Identification, sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the original contractor by a claimant with no direct contract with the original contractor (lower-tier subs and suppliers).","deadline":"Within 30 days after commencing performance (M.G.L. c. 254, s. 4).","note":"It is not a condition of lien rights. Without it, the lower-tier claimant's lien is capped at the amount due under the subcontract between the original contractor and the subcontractor above it as of the date the claimant files its notice of contract."},"lienDeadline":"Step 1: record a notice of contract in the registry of deeds no later than the earliest of 60 days after a notice of substantial completion is recorded, 90 days after a notice of termination is recorded, or 90 days after the claimant (or anyone under it) last furnished labor or materials (M.G.L. c. 254, ss. 2, 4). Subcontractors must also give the owner actual notice of the filing. Step 2: record a statement of account no later than the earliest of 90 days after a notice of substantial completion, 120 days after a notice of termination, or 120 days after last furnishing (s. 8).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence a civil action in Superior Court or District Court within 90 days after filing the statement of account (s. 11), and record an attested copy of the complaint in the registry of deeds within 30 days after commencing the action (s. 5), or the lien is dissolved.","otherNotices":["A subcontractor's lien cannot exceed the amount due or to become due under the original contract as of the date the subcontractor gives the owner notice of its filing (s. 4).","Owners may shorten the windows by recording a notice of substantial completion (s. 2A) or notice of termination (s. 2B)."],"statute":[{"label":"M.G.L. c. 254, s. 2","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleIV/Chapter254/Section2"},{"label":"M.G.L. c. 254, s. 4","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleIV/Chapter254/Section4"},{"label":"M.G.L. c. 254, s. 5","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleIV/Chapter254/Section5"},{"label":"M.G.L. c. 254, s. 8","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleIV/Chapter254/Section8"},{"label":"M.G.L. c. 254, s. 11","url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleIV/Chapter254/Section11"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"michigan","name":"Michigan","country":"US","answer":"In Michigan, subcontractors and suppliers must serve a notice of furnishing within 20 days after first furnishing; contractors hired by the owner are exempt. Every claimant must record a claim of lien with the register of deeds within 90 days after last furnishing and serve it within 15 days after recording. Foreclose within 1 year after recording.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Subcontractors and suppliers must serve a notice of furnishing on the designee and general contractor named in the notice of commencement (or the owner or lessee if no designee). A contractor contracting directly with the owner or lessee does not need one. Laborers have separate wage and fringe benefit notices.","deadline":"Within 20 days after furnishing the first labor or material, personally or by certified mail. Laborers: within 30 days after unpaid wages were due; for fringe benefits, by the 5th day of the second month after they were due. If the owner fails to record or provide the notice of commencement, the deadline extends to 20 days after it is recorded or furnished.","note":"A late notice of furnishing does not destroy the lien; it only fails to the extent the owner already paid the contractor under a sworn statement or lien waiver before the notice was served."},"lienDeadline":"Record a claim of lien with the register of deeds in each county where the property is located within 90 days after the claimant's last furnishing of labor or material under its contract. Same deadline for contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and laborers. Subs, suppliers and laborers must attach proof of service of the notice of furnishing. Within 15 days after recording, serve a copy on the designee (or owner) personally or by certified mail.","enforcementDeadline":"Foreclosure proceedings must be brought no later than 1 year after the claim of lien was recorded, and a notice of lis pendens must be recorded when the action is filed.","residentialRules":"For residential structures the owner does not record a notice of commencement; instead the owner must provide one within 10 days after a written certified-mail request (MCL 570.1108a). A contractor has no lien on a residential structure unless it worked under a written contract, with written amendments, that includes the required licensing statement and license number (MCL 570.1114). Sub and supplier liens on residential work cannot include interest accruing more than 90 days after recording (MCL 570.1107(7)).","otherNotices":["Notice of commencement (non-residential): the owner or lessee records it before work starts and must provide a copy within 10 days of a certified-mail request; failures extend the notice of furnishing deadline (MCL 570.1108).","Sworn statement: a contractor must give the owner a sworn statement when payment is due or requested, and cannot be paid or file suit to enforce its lien until it does; a subcontractor must provide one on the owner's demand before suing (MCL 570.1110)."],"statute":[{"label":"MCL 570.1107 (construction lien generally)","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-570-1107"},{"label":"MCL 570.1108 (notice of commencement)","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-570-1108"},{"label":"MCL 570.1108a (residential notice of commencement)","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-570-1108a"},{"label":"MCL 570.1109 (notice of furnishing)","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-570-1109"},{"label":"MCL 570.1110 (sworn statement)","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-570-1110"},{"label":"MCL 570.1111 (claim of lien)","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-570-1111"},{"label":"MCL 570.1114 (residential written contract)","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-570-1114"},{"label":"MCL 570.1117 (enforcement)","url":"https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-570-1117"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Verified against the Construction Lien Act on legislature.mi.gov (MCL complete through PA 103 of 2026). Notice of furnishing and notice of commencement sections were last amended by 2018 PA 367.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"minnesota","name":"Minnesota","country":"US","answer":"In Minnesota, a prime contractor must put the statutory pre-lien notice in its written contract with the owner, or deliver it within 10 days after the work is agreed upon. Subcontractors and suppliers must notify the owner within 45 days of first furnishing. File and serve the lien statement within 120 days after last furnishing, then sue within 1 year after the last item claimed.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Yes, for both. A contractor who contracts with the owner and has or will hire subcontractors or suppliers must include the statutory notice in its written contract with the owner. Everyone else (anyone not in direct contract with the owner) must serve their own pre-lien notice on the owner or the owner's agent.","deadline":"Prime: in the written contract, or if there is no written contract, delivered personally or by certified mail within 10 days after the work is agreed upon. Subcontractors and suppliers: no later than 45 days after first furnishing labor, skill or materials.","note":"A prime who fails to give the notice has no lien. A sub who makes a good faith effort to comply keeps its lien unless the owner or another claimant proves damage caused by the failure. Neither notice is required for wholly residential improvements with more than four units, or for most nonagricultural, wholly or partly nonresidential projects involving more than 5,000 usable square feet (514.011, subds. 4b and 4c)."},"lienDeadline":"Within 120 days after the claimant last did work or furnished materials, the lien statement must be recorded with the county recorder (or registrar of titles for registered land), and a copy must be served personally or by certified mail on the owner, the owner's agent, or the person who contracted with the contractor. The same deadline applies to primes and subs.","enforcementDeadline":"The lien must be asserted by filing a complaint or answer with the court administrator within 1 year after the date of the last item of the claim shown in the recorded lien statement. A notice of lis pendens is recorded when the action begins.","residentialRules":"Pre-lien notices apply to residential projects of four units or fewer and to agricultural property. They are not required for improvements to wholly residential property with more than four units.","otherNotices":["The lien statement must say that any pre-lien notice required by 514.011, subd. 2 was given (514.08, subd. 2(9)).","Within 10 days of a request, a contractor must give a subcontractor or supplier the owner's name and address (514.011, subd. 3)."],"statute":[{"label":"Minn. Stat. 514.011 (pre-lien notice)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/chapters-500-515b/chapter-514/section-514-011/"},{"label":"Minn. Stat. 514.08 (lien statement, 120 days)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/chapters-500-515b/chapter-514/section-514-08/"},{"label":"Minn. Stat. 514.12 (1-year enforcement)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/chapters-500-515b/chapter-514/section-514-12/"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Read from the 2025 Minnesota Statutes as published on Justia. The official site (revisor.mn.gov) could not be reached from our research environment, so any 2026 session changes were not checked there. The history lines show no amendments to these sections after 1997.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"mississippi","name":"Mississippi","country":"US","answer":"In Mississippi, file the claim of lien with the chancery clerk within 90 days after your last work or materials, and mail a copy to the owner within 2 business days. File a payment action within 180 days of filing the lien. Anyone not in privity with the prime must notify it within 30 days of first delivery. On single-family homes, subs send a pre-lien notice 10 days before filing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"A prime contractor in direct contract with the owner has no preliminary notice. Anyone not in privity with the contractor (for example sub-subcontractors and suppliers to subcontractors) must notify the contractor, or the owner if there is no contractor. This notice does not apply to single-family residential construction.","deadline":"Within 30 days after first delivering labor, services or materials to the property. Send it by e-mail with confirmed receipt, registered or certified mail, or statutory overnight delivery (85-7-407(2)).","note":"If the required notice is not given, the claimant forfeits its lien. Unlicensed contractors and subcontractors have no lien, and neither does anyone contracting with them (85-7-403(5))."},"lienDeadline":"The claim of lien must be recorded with the chancery clerk of the county where the property is located within 90 days after the claimant last performed work or furnished labor, services or materials. The same deadline applies to primes and subs. Within 2 business days after filing, a copy must be sent by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the owner. A claimant who is not the contractor must also send a copy to the contractor. The lien must include the statutory 180-day expiration statement and the owner's notice of the right to contest, or it is invalid.","enforcementDeadline":"Within 180 days from the date the claim of lien is filed, a payment action must be commenced in county, circuit or chancery court against the party the claimant contracted with, and a lis pendens must be filed. Otherwise the lien is unenforceable. If the owner or contractor records a notice of contest of lien, the lien is extinguished at the earlier of 90 days after the notice of contest or 180 days after the lien was filed, unless a payment action has been filed.","residentialRules":"Single-family residential only: a subcontractor, supplier or design professional not in privity with the owner must give the owner a written pre-lien notice at least 10 days before filing the claim of lien, in substantially the form in 85-7-433(5). Payment by the owner to the contractor is an absolute defense to the extent paid before the owner received that pre-lien notice (85-7-409).","otherNotices":["Notice of contest of lien (85-7-423): an owner or contractor can shorten the time to sue to 90 days.","On written request, a contractor must furnish the owner a list of subcontractors and suppliers. Willfully refusing forfeits the lien (85-7-407(1))."],"statute":[{"label":"Miss. Code 85-7-403 (who has a lien)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-85/chapter-7/article-21/section-85-7-403/"},{"label":"Miss. Code 85-7-405 (90-day filing, payment action)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-85/chapter-7/article-21/section-85-7-405/"},{"label":"Miss. Code 85-7-407 (30-day notice to contractor)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-85/chapter-7/article-21/section-85-7-407/"},{"label":"Miss. Code 85-7-409 (single-family pre-lien notice)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-85/chapter-7/article-21/section-85-7-409/"},{"label":"Miss. Code 85-7-421 (180-day expiration)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-85/chapter-7/article-21/section-85-7-421/"},{"label":"Miss. Code 85-7-423 (notice of contest)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-85/chapter-7/article-21/section-85-7-423/"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Current article enacted by Laws 2014, ch. 487 (approved April 11, 2014), not in 2020. Read from the 2025 Mississippi Code on Justia, because Mississippi has no free official code site of its own.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"missouri","name":"Missouri","country":"US","answer":"In Missouri, a prime contractor must give the owner the statutory Notice to Owner before receiving any payment, or it has no lien. Subcontractors and suppliers must give the owner 10 days' notice before filing. File the lien with the circuit clerk within six months after the debt accrues, and sue within six months after filing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Every original (prime) contractor must give the Notice to Owner in the statute's exact wording, in ten-point bold type. It goes to the person it contracted with, or to the owner if there is no contract. This applies to all projects, not only residential ones. Missouri has no general preliminary notice for subcontractors, but see the 10-day notice of intent and the residential consent rule.","deadline":"Before receiving any payment: at contract signing, when materials are delivered, when work begins, or with the first invoice (429.012.1).","note":"Giving this notice is a condition precedent to the prime's lien. It does not apply to new residences where the buyer has lien protection from a Missouri-registered title insurer (429.012.4)."},"lienDeadline":"Within six months after the indebtedness accrued, the lien account must be filed with the clerk of the circuit court of the county. This applies to original contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and laborers alike. For rented equipment or machinery, the deadline is 60 days after the equipment was last removed from the property (429.080).","enforcementDeadline":"Suit must be commenced within six months after the lien is filed. The lien does not continue beyond six months after filing unless an action has been started (429.170).","residentialRules":"For repair, remodeling or additions to owner-occupied residential property of four units or less, a subcontractor or supplier has no lien unless the owner signed the statutory Consent of Owner in the prime's contract, and a copy of it must be attached to the recorded lien. Without that consent, the owner's full payment to the contractor is a complete defense (429.013). This rule does not cover original construction of new residences.","otherNotices":["Notice of intent (429.100): everyone except the original contractor must give the owner or the owner's agent at least 10 days' notice before filing the lien, stating the amount and who owes it."],"statute":[{"label":"RSMo 429.012 (Notice to Owner by original contractor)","url":"https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=429.012"},{"label":"RSMo 429.013 (owner-occupied residential consent)","url":"https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=429.013"},{"label":"RSMo 429.080 (six-month filing)","url":"https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=429.080"},{"label":"RSMo 429.100 (10-day notice by subs)","url":"https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=429.100"},{"label":"RSMo 429.170 (six months to sue)","url":"https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=429.170"}],"confidence":"medium","notes":"The statute runs the six-month filing period from when the 'indebtedness shall have accrued' and does not define that event. Courts generally tie it to the claimant's last furnishing of labor or materials, but that gloss comes from case law we did not read here. The current 429.012 and 429.013 took effect January 1, 2017, and 429.080 in 2007.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"montana","name":"Montana","country":"US","answer":"In Montana, subs and suppliers on residential jobs (up to four units, not commercial) must give the owner a notice of right to claim a lien within 20 days of first furnishing (45 days on lender-financed non-owner-occupied jobs) and file a copy within 5 business days. File the lien within 90 days after final furnishing or a notice of completion. Sue within two years.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Required for claimants on residential projects. Exempt: original contractors furnishing directly to the owner, wage laborers, and anyone working on a dwelling for five or more families or a project partly or wholly commercial (MCA 71-3-531(1)).","deadline":"No later than 20 days after services or materials are first furnished; 45 days when paid from regulated lender construction funds on a job that is not an owner-occupied residence (71-3-531(3), (4))","note":"A late notice only covers work in the 20 (or 45) days before it was given. A copy must also be filed with the county clerk and recorder within 5 business days after giving it, and it lapses after one year unless continued (71-3-531(6))."},"lienDeadline":"File the lien with the county clerk and recorder not later than 90 days after the claimant's final furnishing of services or materials, or after the owner files a notice of completion (MCA 71-3-535(1)). The filing must certify that a copy was served on each owner of record by personal service or certified mail (71-3-534(2)).","enforcementDeadline":"All actions must be commenced within two years from the date the lien is filed (MCA 71-3-562).","statute":[{"label":"MCA 71-3-531 (notice of right to claim lien)","url":"https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0710/chapter_0030/part_0050/section_0310/0710-0030-0050-0310.html"},{"label":"MCA 71-3-534 (service on owner)","url":"https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0710/chapter_0030/part_0050/section_0340/0710-0030-0050-0340.html"},{"label":"MCA 71-3-535 (filing the lien)","url":"https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0710/chapter_0030/part_0050/section_0350/0710-0030-0050-0350.html"},{"label":"MCA 71-3-562 (two years to sue)","url":"https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0710/chapter_0030/part_0050/section_0620/0710-0030-0050-0620.html"}],"confidence":"medium","notes":"71-3-535 lists final furnishing and the owner's notice of completion as alternative triggers without saying which controls when both occur; file within 90 days of the earlier to be safe.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"nebraska","name":"Nebraska","country":"US","answer":"In Nebraska, record your construction lien within 120 days after your final furnishing of services or materials, and send the contracting owner a copy within ten days after recording. The lien stays enforceable for two years after recording, but if the owner serves a written demand, you must sue within 30 days. On owner-occupied homes, subs should send a notice of right to assert a lien early.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Not a condition of the lien, and only relevant when the contracting owner is a protected party (an individual improving residential real estate of up to four units that they occupy or intend to occupy). Any claimant may send the notice of right to assert a lien at any time after contracting (Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-135, 52-129).","deadline":"Optional; any time after entering into the contract","note":"Against a protected party, a subcontractor's lien is capped at what remains unpaid under the prime contract when the owner receives the notice, so a late notice can shrink the lien (52-136(2))."},"lienDeadline":"Record the lien no later than 120 days after the claimant's final furnishing of services or materials (Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-137(1)). Send a copy of the recorded lien to the contracting owner within ten days after recording (52-135(3)).","enforcementDeadline":"An enforceable lien lasts two years after recording. If an owner or other interested person serves a written demand to sue, the lien lapses unless within 30 days of receipt the claimant starts suit or records an affidavit that the contract price is not yet due (Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-140).","residentialRules":"Protected party rules (52-129, 52-136) limit subcontractor and supplier liens on owner-occupied homes of up to four units to the unpaid prime contract balance when notice is received.","otherNotices":["If the owner or prime contractor records a notice of surety bond meeting 52-141, no lien attaches; claim on the bond instead (suit within one year after completing performance; non-privity claimants give the prime contractor notice within 90 days)."],"statute":[{"label":"Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-129 (protected party)","url":"https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=52-129"},{"label":"Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-135 (notice of right to assert lien)","url":"https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=52-135"},{"label":"Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-136 (amount of lien)","url":"https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=52-136"},{"label":"Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-137 (120 days to record)","url":"https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=52-137"},{"label":"Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-140 (duration)","url":"https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=52-140"},{"label":"Neb. Rev. Stat. 52-141 (surety bond)","url":"https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=52-141"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"nevada","name":"Nevada","country":"US","answer":"In Nevada, subs and suppliers must deliver a notice of right to lien to the owner; it covers work from 31 days before it is given. On residential jobs, serve a 15-day notice of intent to lien before recording. Record the lien within 90 days after the latest of completion or your last work, or 40 days after a notice of completion. Sue within six months.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Every lien claimant except those who perform only labor. Prime contractors and anyone who contracts directly with or sells materials directly to the owner are exempt (NRS 108.245(1), (5)). Subcontractors and suppliers must also send a copy to the prime contractor for information.","deadline":"Any time after first delivery of material or performance of work, but it only secures work, materials or equipment furnished in the 31 days before it is given and afterward (NRS 108.245(6))","note":"Deliver in person or by certified mail. Without it, no lien except for labor can be perfected (108.245(3))."},"lienDeadline":"Record the notice of lien within 90 days after the latest of completion of the work of improvement, the claimant's last delivery of material or equipment, or the claimant's last performance of work; or within 40 days after a valid notice of completion is recorded and served (NRS 108.226(1)). Serve a copy on the owner within 30 days after recording (NRS 108.227).","enforcementDeadline":"The lien does not bind the property longer than six months after recording unless suit is commenced within that time or a recorded written extension (maximum one year from recording) is signed (NRS 108.233).","residentialRules":"On construction, alteration or repair of single-family or multifamily residences, every claimant except laborers must serve a 15-day notice of intent to lien on the owner and reputed prime contractor before recording; it extends the recording time by 15 days (NRS 108.226(6)). Does not apply to nonresidential projects.","statute":[{"label":"NRS Chapter 108 (Nevada Legislature)","url":"https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-108.html"},{"label":"NRS 108.226 (time to record, residential notice of intent)","url":"https://nevada.public.law/statutes/nrs_108.226"},{"label":"NRS 108.227 (service on owner)","url":"https://nevada.public.law/statutes/nrs_108.227"},{"label":"NRS 108.233 (six months to sue)","url":"https://nevada.public.law/statutes/nrs_108.233"},{"label":"NRS 108.245 (notice of right to lien)","url":"https://nevada.public.law/statutes/nrs_108.245"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"The official NRS site blocked automated access; section text was read from the Nevada.Public.Law reproduction of the statutes.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"new-hampshire","name":"New Hampshire","country":"US","answer":"In New Hampshire, there is no lien filing for private work: the lien arises automatically and lasts 120 days after you last perform services or furnish materials. Secure it by attaching the property within those 120 days. Subcontractors and suppliers must give the owner written notice that they will claim a lien, ideally before starting, and send accounts every 30 days.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Subcontractors, suppliers and design professionals who contract with an agent, contractor or subcontractor of the owner (not the owner) must give written notice to the owner, or the person in charge of the property, that they will claim a lien.","deadline":"Before performing the labor or furnishing the material (RSA 447:5). Notice may be given afterward, but the lien then covers only amounts then due or later becoming due to the owner's contractor (RSA 447:6).","note":"After giving notice, furnish the owner a written account at least once every 30 days (RSA 447:8). Separately, every lien claimant must notify the construction lender within 15 business days after the later of the lender's jobsite posting or first furnishing, though failure alone does not invalidate the lien (RSA 447:12-b)."},"lienDeadline":"No recording step for private projects. The lien arises by statute and continues for 120 days after the services are performed or the materials furnished, unless paid sooner (RSA 447:9).","enforcementDeadline":"Secure the lien by attachment of the property while the lien continues, with the writ and return expressly stating that purpose; in practice this must happen within the 120-day period (RSA 447:9, 447:10).","otherNotices":["Public works: liens attach to money due from the state or a political subdivision only if filed within 90 days after completion and acceptance of the project; bond claims likewise within 90 days, with a petition within one year after filing the claim (RSA 447:15, 447:17, 447:18).","A properly secured attachment has priority over a construction mortgage except to the extent the lender shows disbursements paid subs and suppliers (RSA 447:12-a)."],"statute":[{"label":"RSA Chapter 447 (Liens for Labor and Materials)","url":"https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XLI/447/447-mrg.htm"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"new-jersey","name":"New Jersey","country":"US","answer":"In New Jersey, lodge a construction lien claim with the county clerk within 90 days after your last work, services, materials or equipment, and serve it within 10 days. Sue within one year of last furnishing, or within 30 days of a written demand. Residential jobs first require a Notice of Unpaid Balance within 60 days plus arbitration.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"None required for non-residential projects. No notice to owner is needed before work to preserve lien rights.","deadline":"Not applicable.","note":"Residential construction contracts have a mandatory pre-lien step: the Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien described below."},"lienDeadline":"Non-residential: lodge the signed, verified lien claim form for record with the county clerk within 90 days following the last date work, services, material or equipment was provided (N.J.S.A. 2A:44A-6(a)(2)). Within 10 days after lodging, serve a copy on the owner and on any contractor and subcontractor against whom the claim is asserted (2A:44A-7). Warranty or service calls after completion do not extend the last date (2A:44A-6(d)).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence an action in Superior Court in the county where the property is located within one year of the last date work, services, material or equipment was provided, or within 30 days after receiving a written demand to sue from the owner, contractor or subcontractor, or the lien is forfeited (N.J.S.A. 2A:44A-14).","residentialRules":"Residential construction contracts: first lodge a Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien within 60 days after last furnishing and serve it, then within 10 days serve a demand for expedited arbitration before the American Arbitration Association unless the parties agreed otherwise (2A:44A-21(b)). The lien claim must be lodged within 10 days after receiving the arbitrator's determination and within 120 days after last furnishing (2A:44A-6(a)(2)).","otherNotices":["Late service of the lien claim does not bar enforcement unless the unserved party proves material prejudice, such as disbursing funds (2A:44A-7(b))."],"statute":[{"label":"N.J.S.A. 2A:44A-6 (filing lien claim)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-2a/section-2a-44a-6/"},{"label":"N.J.S.A. 2A:44A-7 (service)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-2a/section-2a-44a-7/"},{"label":"N.J.S.A. 2A:44A-14 (time to sue)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-2a/section-2a-44a-14/"},{"label":"N.J.S.A. 2A:44A-21 (residential)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-2a/section-2a-44a-21/"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"new-mexico","name":"New Mexico","country":"US","answer":"In New Mexico, lower-tier subs and suppliers on commercial or 5+ unit jobs must give a notice of right to lien within 60 days of first furnishing for claims over $5,000. Original contractors file within 120 days after completing their contract; everyone else within 90 days after completion of the improvement. Mail the owner a copy within 15 days. Enforce within two years.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Mechanics and materialmen with liens over $5,000 who do not contract directly with the owner or the original contractor. Exempt: original contractors, anyone contracting directly with the original contractor, and all claims on residential property of four or fewer units (NMSA 48-2-2.1(A), (B)).","deadline":"Not more than 60 days after initially furnishing work or materials, to the owner or the original contractor","note":"Send by certified mail return receipt, fax with acknowledgment, or personal delivery. A later notice only covers work furnished on or after 30 days before it was given (48-2-2.1(E))."},"lienDeadline":"Original contractors: file the claim of lien with the county clerk within 120 days after completion of the contract. All other claimants: within 90 days after completion of the building, improvement or structure (NMSA 48-2-6(A)). Send a copy of the filed claim to the owner within 15 days of filing, or risk losing interest, fees and costs (48-2-6(B)).","enforcementDeadline":"The lien expires two years after the claim is filed unless court proceedings or binding arbitration to enforce it is commenced within that time (NMSA 48-2-10).","statute":[{"label":"NMSA 48-2-2.1 (notice of right to lien)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-48/article-2/section-48-2-2-1/"},{"label":"NMSA 48-2-6 (filing the claim)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-48/article-2/section-48-2-6/"},{"label":"NMSA 48-2-10 (two years to enforce)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/new-mexico/chapter-48/article-2/section-48-2-10/"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Text read from Justia's 2025 New Mexico Statutes (48-2-6 as amended by Laws 2023, ch. 61).","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"new-york","name":"New York","country":"US","answer":"In New York, file a notice of lien with the county clerk within 8 months after completing the contract or your final work or materials, or 4 months for a single family dwelling. Serve the owner within 30 days after filing and file proof of service within 35 days. The lien lasts one year unless you foreclose or extend it.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"None. New York does not require a preliminary notice on private improvements.","deadline":"Not applicable."},"lienDeadline":"File the notice of lien in the county clerk's office any time during the work or within 8 months after completion of the contract, the final performance of work or the final furnishing of materials; within 4 months for real property improved or to be improved with a single family dwelling; and within 90 days after retainage was due for a retainage lien (N.Y. Lien Law 10). Serve a copy on the owner within 5 days before or 30 days after filing, and file proof of service with the county clerk within 35 days after filing or the lien terminates (Lien Law 11).","enforcementDeadline":"The lien expires one year after filing unless, within that year, a foreclosure action is commenced and a notice of pendency is filed, or (except for single family dwellings) a one-year extension is filed with the county clerk. Further continuance requires a court order (Lien Law 17).","residentialRules":"Single family dwelling: 4-month filing window instead of 8 months, and the lien can be extended only by court order, not by filing an extension (Lien Law 10, 17). Dwellings in a developer's filed subdivision are not treated as single family dwellings for the filing period.","otherNotices":["Until the notice is served, an owner without knowledge of the lien is protected in good faith payments to the contractor (Lien Law 11)."],"statute":[{"label":"N.Y. Lien Law 10","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/new-york/lie/article-2/10/"},{"label":"N.Y. Lien Law 11","url":"https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/LIE/11"},{"label":"N.Y. Lien Law 17","url":"https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/LIE/17"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"north-carolina","name":"North Carolina","country":"US","answer":"In North Carolina, on projects of $40,000 or more with a designated lien agent, send a Notice to Lien Agent within 15 days after first furnishing. File the claim of lien with the clerk of superior court within 120 days after your last furnishing at the site, and file suit to enforce within 180 days after last furnishing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"All potential lien claimants (contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals) on improvements where the owner must designate a lien agent: projects costing $40,000 or more, except improvements to an existing owner-occupied single-family residence or its accessory structure (G.S. 44A-11.1(a)).","deadline":"The lien agent must receive the Notice to Lien Agent no later than 15 days after the claimant first furnishes labor or materials (G.S. 44A-11.2(l)(1)).","note":"A late notice still preserves the lien if the lien agent receives it before a conveyance to a bona fide purchaser is recorded, but the lien can be subordinated to a mortgage or deed of trust recorded before the notice (44A-11.2(l)(2), (m)). No notice is required if the lien agent's contact information was not posted or provided on request (44A-11.2(n))."},"lienDeadline":"File the claim of lien on real property with the clerk of superior court in each county where the property is located no later than 120 days after the claimant's last furnishing of labor or materials at the site, after serving it on the owner as required by G.S. 44A-11 (G.S. 44A-12(a), (b)).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence the enforcement action no later than 180 days after the claimant's last furnishing of labor or materials at the site, and within the same period file a notice of lis pendens in each other county where the property lies (G.S. 44A-13(a), (c)).","otherNotices":["Subcontractors also have lien-upon-funds rights under Part 2 of Article 2 (G.S. 44A-18); a Notice to Lien Agent does not satisfy those notices and may not be combined with them (44A-11.2(j)).","A claim of lien cannot be amended, but it may be cancelled and refiled within the original 120 days (44A-12(d))."],"statute":[{"label":"N.C.G.S. 44A-11.1 (lien agent)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/north-carolina/chapter-44a/article-2/section-44a-11-1/"},{"label":"N.C.G.S. 44A-11.2 (notice to lien agent)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/north-carolina/chapter-44a/article-2/section-44a-11-2/"},{"label":"N.C.G.S. 44A-12 (filing claim of lien)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/north-carolina/chapter-44a/article-2/section-44a-12/"},{"label":"N.C.G.S. 44A-13 (enforcement action)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/north-carolina/chapter-44a/article-2/section-44a-13/"}],"confidence":"medium","notes":"Statute text read from the 2025 Justia edition because ncleg.gov blocked automated access. G.S. 44A-11.1(a) sets the $40,000 threshold; subsection (a1) still refers to $30,000 for manufactured home setups.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"north-dakota","name":"North Dakota","country":"US","answer":"In North Dakota, send the owner written notice by certified mail at least ten days before recording that a lien will be claimed. Record the lien within 90 days after your contribution is done; late liens survive only against the owner's unpaid balance and never beyond three years from first furnishing. Commence suit and record a lis pendens within three years after recording.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"No notice at the start of work. Before recording, written notice that a lien will be claimed must be sent to the legal or equitable owner by certified mail (N.D.C.C. 35-27-02(4)).","deadline":"At least ten days before recording the construction lien","note":"The notice requirement sits in the subsection about persons who contract with an agent, trustee, contractor or subcontractor of the owner; sending it is the safe course for every claimant."},"lienDeadline":"Record the lien with the county recorder within 90 days after all of the claimant's contribution is done (N.D.C.C. 35-27-13). A late lien is still valid except against good faith purchasers or encumbrancers whose rights arose before recording and against the owner for amounts paid to the contractor before recording, and no lien may be filed more than three years after the first item of material is furnished (35-27-14).","enforcementDeadline":"The lien is unenforceable unless the lienor commences an action and records a lis pendens within three years after recording the lien. If the owner delivers and files a written demand, suit and lis pendens must follow within 30 days or the lien is forfeited (N.D.C.C. 35-27-25). Give the owner notice of intent to enforce at least 10 days (personal service) or 20 days (registered mail) before suing (35-27-24).","statute":[{"label":"N.D.C.C. chapter 35-27 (construction liens)","url":"https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t35c27.pdf"}],"confidence":"medium","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"ohio","name":"Ohio","country":"US","answer":"In Ohio, subcontractors and suppliers not in privity with the owner must serve a Notice of Furnishing within 21 days after first furnishing, if a Notice of Commencement was recorded. File the lien affidavit within 60 days after last furnishing for one or two family homes, 75 days for most other projects, or 120 days for oil and gas work. Serve the owner within 30 days after filing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Subcontractors and suppliers who are not in direct contract with the owner must serve a Notice of Furnishing on the owner's designee (or the owner) named in the Notice of Commencement, and on the original contractor. Original contractors, laborers, and suppliers in direct contract with the owner are exempt. None is required under a home construction contract, or if no Notice of Commencement was recorded.","deadline":"Any time after the Notice of Commencement is recorded, but within 21 days after first performing labor or furnishing materials. The deadline is extended if the owner failed to record or to serve the Notice of Commencement on request (1311.04(I), (J)).","note":"A late Notice of Furnishing still preserves lien rights for work done in the 21 days before it was served and afterward, but not for earlier work (1311.05(D))."},"lienDeadline":"The affidavit for mechanics' lien must be recorded with the county recorder within these deadlines, each counted from the date the claimant last performed labor or furnished materials: 60 days for a one or two family dwelling or a residential condominium unit; 120 days for oil and gas well liens under 1311.021; and 75 days for all other projects (1311.06(B)). A copy must be served on the owner, part owner, lessee, or designee within 30 days after filing (1311.07).","enforcementDeadline":"The lien stays in force for six years after the affidavit is filed, and until final judgment if suit is brought within that time (1311.13(C)). If an owner or other interested party serves a notice to commence suit, the claimant must sue within 60 days after service is completed or the lien is void (1311.11(B)).","residentialRules":"Under a home construction contract (one or two family owner residence or condominium unit), no Notice of Commencement or Notice of Furnishing is required. No one has a lien if the owner paid the original contractor in full before receiving a copy of a lien affidavit. Subcontractor liens are capped at the unpaid balance owed to the original contractor and are shared pro rata (1311.011).","otherNotices":["Notice of Commencement (1311.04): the owner, part owner or lessee must record it before work begins. Within 10 days of a sub's written request, the owner must serve a copy.","Notice to commence suit (1311.11): shortens the enforcement window to 60 days after service."],"statute":[{"label":"ORC 1311.011 (home construction contracts)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/ohio/title-13/chapter-1311/section-1311-011/"},{"label":"ORC 1311.04 (Notice of Commencement)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/ohio/title-13/chapter-1311/section-1311-04/"},{"label":"ORC 1311.05 (Notice of Furnishing)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/ohio/title-13/chapter-1311/section-1311-05/"},{"label":"ORC 1311.06 (lien affidavit deadlines)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/ohio/title-13/chapter-1311/section-1311-06/"},{"label":"ORC 1311.07 (serve affidavit within 30 days)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/ohio/title-13/chapter-1311/section-1311-07/"},{"label":"ORC 1311.11 (notice to commence suit)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/ohio/title-13/chapter-1311/section-1311-11/"},{"label":"ORC 1311.13 (six-year lien duration)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/ohio/title-13/chapter-1311/section-1311-13/"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Read from the 2025 Ohio Revised Code on Justia, because codes.ohio.gov refused connections from our research environment. 1311.04 was most recently amended by HB 96, effective September 30, 2025, and the version we read already includes that change. After a notice to commence suit, the deadline is 60 days, not six months.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"oklahoma","name":"Oklahoma","country":"US","answer":"In Oklahoma, prime contractors file a lien statement within four months after last furnishing; subs and suppliers within 90 days. Subs and suppliers with claims of $10,000 or more (and all claims on owner-occupied homes) must send a pre-lien notice within 75 days after last furnishing and before filing. Enforce by suit within one year after filing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Every claimant other than an original contractor must send a pre-lien notice to the original contractor and an owner (42 O.S. 142.6(B)(1)). Exempt: aggregate claims under $10,000, and residential projects of four or fewer units none of which the owner occupies. On a dwelling the owner occupies, the notice is always required.","deadline":"Before filing the lien statement and no later than 75 days after the last date of supply","note":"Only one pre-lien notice is needed per project; retainage needs none. An affidavit of compliance must be filed with the lien statement (142.6(C))."},"lienDeadline":"Original contractors: file the verified lien statement with the county clerk within four months after materials or equipment were last furnished or labor last performed (42 O.S. 142). Subcontractors and their suppliers: within 90 days after last furnishing under the subcontract (42 O.S. 143). The county clerk mails notice to the owner within five business days after filing (42 O.S. 143.1).","enforcementDeadline":"Bring a civil action to enforce the lien within one year from filing it with the county clerk (42 O.S. 172).","residentialRules":"A lien on property occupied as a dwelling by an owner is invalid unless the pre-lien notice was sent within 75 days of last furnishing, regardless of claim size (42 O.S. 142.6(B)(1)).","statute":[{"label":"42 O.S. 142 (contractor lien statement)","url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=78320"},{"label":"42 O.S. 142.6 (pre-lien notice)","url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=208498"},{"label":"42 O.S. 143 (subcontractor lien)","url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=78326"},{"label":"42 O.S. 143.1 (notice of lien to owner)","url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=78327"},{"label":"42 O.S. 172 (one year to enforce)","url":"https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=78350"}],"confidence":"medium","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"oregon","name":"Oregon","country":"US","answer":"In Oregon, anyone not hired by the owner must send a notice of right to a lien; it only protects work from eight business days before delivery. File the claim of lien within 75 days after you stop work or after completion, whichever is earlier. Mail the owner notice within 20 days after filing, give 10 days notice of intent to foreclose, and sue within 120 days.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Anyone furnishing materials, equipment, services or labor not at the request of the owner (ORS 87.021(1)). On commercial improvements, persons who perform labor, provide labor and materials, or rent equipment are exempt, so material-only suppliers still must send it (87.021(3)(b)). On residential jobs over $2,000, original contractors must instead give the owner the Information Notice to Owner or lose their lien (ORS 87.093).","deadline":"Any time during the improvement, but it only protects work furnished after a date eight business days before it is delivered or mailed"},"lienDeadline":"Laborers, suppliers, equipment renters and site preparation claimants: file the claim of lien with the county recording officer not later than 75 days after ceasing to provide labor, equipment or materials or 75 days after completion of construction, whichever is earlier. Other claimants (such as design professionals): 75 days after completion of construction (ORS 87.035(1)).","enforcementDeadline":"Suit must be brought within 120 days after the claim of lien is filed (or 120 days after a stated extended payment ends, max two years) (ORS 87.055). Deliver a notice of intent to foreclose to the owner and mortgagee at least 10 days before filing suit (ORS 87.057).","residentialRules":"Residential building means owner-occupied with not more than four units; the commercial exemptions from the notice of right to a lien do not apply to it (ORS 87.021(3)(b)).","otherNotices":["Mail the owner and mortgagee written notice of the filed claim, with a copy attached, within 20 days after filing, or lose costs and attorney fees (ORS 87.039)."],"statute":[{"label":"ORS Chapter 87 (Construction Lien Law)","url":"https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors087.html"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"pennsylvania","name":"Pennsylvania","country":"US","answer":"In Pennsylvania, file a mechanics' lien claim with the prothonotary within 6 months after completing your work, and serve the owner with notice of filing within 1 month after filing. Subcontractors must give the owner a formal notice of intent at least 30 days before filing. Commence the action to obtain judgment within 2 years of filing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Subcontractors on a searchable project (an improvement costing at least $1,500,000) where the owner filed and posted a Notice of Commencement in the State Construction Notices Directory must file a Notice of Furnishing in the directory. Separately, every subcontractor must serve the owner a formal written notice of intention to file a claim.","deadline":"Notice of Furnishing: within 45 days after first performing work or first providing materials to the job site; failure forfeits the lien (49 P.S. 1501.3(b), (c)). Formal notice of intent: at least 30 days before filing the claim (49 P.S. 1501(b.1)).","note":"The directory provisions apply only to projects commenced on or after the directory's operational date designated by the Department of General Services (Act 142 of 2014, section 3 and 4). The statute set December 31, 2016 but allowed DGS to set a later date; we could not confirm the directory's current operational status from the statute, so check with DGS. Prime contractors do not give either notice."},"lienDeadline":"File the claim with the prothonotary within 6 months after completion of the claimant's work, serve written notice of the filing on the owner within 1 month after filing, and file an affidavit of service within 20 days after service; missing these is grounds to strike the claim (49 P.S. 1502(a)).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence an action to obtain judgment within 2 years from the date of filing, unless the owner extends the time in writing (49 P.S. 1701(b)). A verdict or judgment must be obtained within 5 years of filing or the claim is lost (49 P.S. 1701(d)).","residentialRules":"A subcontractor has no lien on residential property (a single townhouse or a building of one or two dwelling units used as the owner's residence or leased to the owner's tenant) if the owner or tenant paid the full contract price to the contractor (49 P.S. 1301(b)).","otherNotices":["Claims must exceed $500 (49 P.S. 1301(a)).","No lien for labor or materials furnished for a purely public purpose (49 P.S. 1303(b))."],"statute":[{"label":"Mechanics' Lien Law of 1963, 49 P.S. 1101 et seq. (Act 497)","url":"https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?txtType=PDF&SessYr=1963&SessInd=0&ActNum=0497."}],"confidence":"medium","notes":"Core deadlines read from the official General Assembly text. Confidence is medium only because whether the State Construction Notices Directory is operational (which triggers the Notice of Furnishing rule) is set by DGS designation, not the statute, and was not confirmed.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"rhode-island","name":"Rhode Island","country":"US","answer":"In Rhode Island, prime contractors must give the owner a Notice of Possible Mechanic's Lien before starting work. To perfect a lien, mail a notice of intention to the owner by certified or registered mail and record it in the land evidence records within 200 days after doing the work. Then file a lis pendens and complaint within 40 days.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Persons contracting directly with the owner, lessee or tenant (other than material suppliers) must give a Notice of Possible Mechanic's Lien in the statutory form, either conspicuously in the written contract or by certified mail, return receipt requested.","deadline":"Any time before commencing work or delivering materials (R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-4.1).","note":"A direct contractor that fails to give it cannot claim a lien and must indemnify the owner for liens by lower-tier claimants, unless the owner has not paid that contractor. Lower-tier claimants keep their lien rights."},"lienDeadline":"Before or within 200 days after doing the work or furnishing the materials, mail a notice of intention by prepaid registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner of record, and record a copy in the land evidence records of the city or town. The lien covers only work and materials furnished within the 200 days before recording and afterward; if the mailed notice comes back undelivered, the lien is void unless the statute's re-mailing steps are followed (R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-4).","enforcementDeadline":"Within 40 days of recording the notice of intention, record a notice of lis pendens in the land evidence records and file a complaint to enforce in Superior Court, with the complaint filed the same day as the lis pendens or within 7 days after it (R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-10).","statute":[{"label":"R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-4","url":"https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-28/34-28-4.htm"},{"label":"R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-4.1","url":"https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-28/34-28-4.1.htm"},{"label":"R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-10","url":"https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-28/34-28-10.htm"},{"label":"R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-11","url":"https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-28/34-28-11.htm"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"south-carolina","name":"South Carolina","country":"US","answer":"In South Carolina, serve the owner and file a sworn statement of account with the register of deeds or clerk of court within 90 days after you last furnish labor or materials. Start a lawsuit and file a notice of pendency within 6 months after your last furnishing. Lower-tier subs should send a notice of furnishing to the prime contractor early.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"No notice is required to create lien rights for most claimants. Sub-subcontractors and suppliers to subcontractors should send a notice of furnishing to the prime contractor by certified or registered mail when the prime has filed a Notice of Project Commencement.","deadline":"No fixed statutory deadline. Payments the prime makes to your subcontractor after receiving the notice do not reduce your recovery, so send it as early as possible (S.C. Code 29-5-20(B)).","note":"If the prime filed a Notice of Project Commencement (within 15 days of starting work) and you skip the notice of furnishing, your lien is capped at what the prime owes the subcontractor you supplied (29-5-20(B), 29-5-23). Separately, claimants not hired by the owner can notify the owner in writing of their furnishing, which gives them payment preference over the contractor (29-5-40, 29-5-50)."},"lienDeadline":"Within 90 days after ceasing to furnish labor or materials, serve the owner (or the person in possession) and file with the register of deeds or clerk of court a sworn statement of a just and true account of the amount due, with a property description (S.C. Code 29-5-90).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence a suit to enforce and file a notice of pendency of action within 6 months after the claimant last furnished labor or materials, or the lien is dissolved (S.C. Code 29-5-120(A)). The clock runs from last furnishing, not from filing.","otherNotices":["The aggregate of liens can never exceed the amount the owner owes on the contract price (29-5-20(B), 29-5-40).","The prevailing party recovers costs and reasonable attorney's fees, capped at the lien amount (29-5-20(A))."],"statute":[{"label":"S.C. Code Title 29, Chapter 5 (29-5-20 to 29-5-120)","url":"https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t29c005.php"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"south-dakota","name":"South Dakota","country":"US","answer":"In South Dakota, mail the owner a copy of your lien statement by certified or registered mail, then file it with the register of deeds within 120 days after your last work or materials. If a notice of project commencement was filed, sub-subs and suppliers to subs must first send notice within 60 days after last furnishing. Enforce within six years, or 30 days after an owner demand.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Only when a notice of project commencement is filed and posted: sub-subcontractors and suppliers to subcontractors must send a notice of furnishing to the contractor named in it, with a copy to the owner of record (SDCL 44-9-53). Individual laborers with liens under $2,000 are exempt.","deadline":"Not later than 60 days after the last work or last furnishing of materials","note":"Attach the post office receipt for that notice to the lien statement."},"lienDeadline":"File the lien statement with the register of deeds within 120 days after doing the last work or furnishing the last item (SDCL 44-9-15). Before filing, mail a copy to the property owner by registered or certified mail and attach the receipt (44-9-17).","enforcementDeadline":"Assert the lien by complaint or answer within six years after the date of the last item in the lien statement (SDCL 44-9-24). If the owner, agent or contractor serves a written demand to sue, suit must be commenced within 30 days or the lien is forfeited (44-9-26).","statute":[{"label":"SDCL 44-9-15 (120 days to file)","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/44-9-15"},{"label":"SDCL 44-9-17 (copy mailed to owner)","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/44-9-17"},{"label":"SDCL 44-9-24 (six-year limit)","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/44-9-24"},{"label":"SDCL 44-9-26 (demand to sue)","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/44-9-26"},{"label":"SDCL 44-9-53 (notice of furnishing)","url":"https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/44-9-53"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"tennessee","name":"Tennessee","country":"US","answer":"In Tennessee, a prime contractor's lien lasts 1 year after the improvement is complete or abandoned, and suit must be filed within that year. Record a sworn statement within 90 days of completion to protect priority. Subs and suppliers must send a monthly notice of nonpayment within 90 days, then serve a notice of lien within 90 days of completion and sue within 90 days of serving it.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Remote contractors (subs, sub-subs, suppliers not in privity with the owner) must serve a notice of nonpayment on the owner and on the prime contractor they are in privity with, but only if their account is actually unpaid. Not required on 1 to 4 family residential units. Prime contractors do not send it (on residential jobs see the prime contractor notice under residentialRules).","deadline":"Within 90 days of the last day of each month in which the remote contractor furnished work or materials it intends to lien for.","note":"A remote contractor that fails to serve the notice has no lien, except for retainage held to guarantee its performance (66-11-145(b))."},"lienDeadline":"Prime contractor: no recording is needed to keep the lien against the owner, but to preserve priority against later purchasers and lenders it must record a sworn statement (or its contract) within 90 days after the improvement is complete or abandoned (66-11-112). Remote contractor: must serve a written notice of lien on the owner within that same 90 days after completion or abandonment (66-11-115), and should record the sworn statement in the same window.","enforcementDeadline":"Prime contractor: suit must be filed within 1 year after the improvement is complete or abandoned (66-11-106). Remote contractor: the lien lasts only 90 days from service of the notice of lien, so suit must be filed within that 90 days (66-11-115(b)). Suit is by complaint or civil warrant with writ of attachment (66-11-126).","residentialRules":"On owner-occupied residential property (1 to 4 units where the owner lives in one), only the prime contractor has lien rights; subs and suppliers have none (66-11-146). A contractor about to contract with an owner to improve residential real property must, before starting work or signing the contract, deliver the statutory written notice to the owner that a lien will exist for 1 year after the work is finished (66-11-203).","otherNotices":["Notice of completion (66-11-143): if an owner records and serves one, a claimant who has not already recorded must serve a written notice of claim within 10 days of recording (1 to 4 family residential) or 30 days (all other projects), or lien rights expire. A prime contractor, or a remote contractor who served a notice of nonpayment, that was not served a copy is not affected.","Abandonment (66-11-112(b)): a project is abandoned when work stops for 90 days and the owner or prime contractor intends to stop permanently or indefinitely."],"statute":[{"label":"Tenn. Code 66-11-106 (prime contractor lien duration)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-66/chapter-11/part-1/section-66-11-106/"},{"label":"Tenn. Code 66-11-112 (sworn statement, 90 days)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-66/chapter-11/part-1/section-66-11-112/"},{"label":"Tenn. Code 66-11-115 (remote contractor notice of lien)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-66/chapter-11/part-1/section-66-11-115/"},{"label":"Tenn. Code 66-11-126 (enforcement)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-66/chapter-11/part-1/section-66-11-126/"},{"label":"Tenn. Code 66-11-143 (notice of completion)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-66/chapter-11/part-1/section-66-11-143/"},{"label":"Tenn. Code 66-11-145 (notice of nonpayment)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-66/chapter-11/part-1/section-66-11-145/"},{"label":"Tenn. Code 66-11-146 (residential real property)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-66/chapter-11/part-1/section-66-11-146/"},{"label":"Tenn. Code 66-11-203 (residential notice to owner)","url":"https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-66/chapter-11/part-2/section-66-11-203/"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Read from the 2025 Tennessee Code on Justia (latest edition posted). 2026 session amendments, if any, were not visible there.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"texas","name":"Texas","country":"US","answer":"In Texas, subs and suppliers send a notice of claim by the 15th day of the 3rd month after each unpaid month (2nd month on residential). Lien affidavits are due by the 15th day of the 4th month after the month work ended (3rd month residential). Send the affidavit to the owner within 5 days. Sue within one year after the last day to file.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Every claimant other than an original contractor must send a notice of claim for unpaid labor or materials to the owner and the original contractor (Tex. Prop. Code 53.056). Original contractors in privity with the owner do not send it.","deadline":"Commercial: by the 15th day of the third month after the month the labor or materials were provided. Residential: by the 15th day of the second month.","note":"Unpaid retainage not covered by that notice needs a separate notice by the earlier of 30 days after the claimant's contract, or the original contract, ends (53.057)."},"lienDeadline":"Original contractors: file the lien affidavit with the county clerk by the 15th day of the fourth month after the month their work was completed, terminated or abandoned (third month for residential projects). Other claimants: by the 15th day of the fourth month after the month they last provided labor or materials (third month residential). Retainage claims: by the 15th day of the third month after the original contract ends (Tex. Prop. Code 53.052).","enforcementDeadline":"Suit to foreclose must be brought by the first anniversary of the last day the claimant could file the lien affidavit under 53.052; a recorded written agreement with the owner can extend this up to two years after filing (Tex. Prop. Code 53.158).","residentialRules":"Residential projects use the shorter second-month notice and third-month affidavit deadlines. A lien on a homestead also requires a written contract signed before work starts (by both spouses if married) and filed with the county clerk, plus specific statutory warnings (Tex. Prop. Code 53.254).","otherNotices":["Send a copy of the filed lien affidavit to the owner (and the original contractor, if you are not one) within five days after filing (53.055)."],"statute":[{"label":"Tex. Prop. Code 53.052 (lien affidavit)","url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.53.htm#53.052"},{"label":"Tex. Prop. Code 53.055 (notice of filed affidavit)","url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.53.htm#53.055"},{"label":"Tex. Prop. Code 53.056 (notice of claim)","url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.53.htm#53.056"},{"label":"Tex. Prop. Code 53.057 (retainage notice)","url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.53.htm#53.057"},{"label":"Tex. Prop. Code 53.158 (suit deadline)","url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.53.htm#53.158"},{"label":"Tex. Prop. Code 53.254 (homestead)","url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.53.htm#53.254"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Reflects Chapter 53 as rewritten by H.B. 2237, effective for original contracts entered on or after January 1, 2022.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"utah","name":"Utah","country":"US","answer":"In Utah, every lien claimant, including original contractors, must file a preliminary notice in the State Construction Registry within 20 days after starting work. Record the notice of construction lien within 180 days after final completion of the original contract, or 90 days after a notice of completion. Mail the owner a copy within 30 days. Sue and record a lis pendens within 180 days.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Any person who wants to claim a construction lien, including original contractors, files with the State Construction Registry (Utah Code 38-1a-501(1)(a)). Without it, no lien.","deadline":"No later than 20 days after the day the person commences providing construction work","note":"A late notice bars a lien for work before five days after it is filed, and a notice filed more than 10 days after a notice of completion has no effect (38-1a-501(1)(c), (d))."},"lienDeadline":"Record the notice of construction lien with the county recorder no later than 180 days after final completion of the original contract if no notice of completion is filed, or 90 days after a notice of completion is filed (but never later than 180 days after final completion) (Utah Code 38-1a-502(1)). Deliver or certified-mail a copy to the owner within 30 days after filing, or lose costs and fees (38-1a-502(4)).","enforcementDeadline":"File the enforcement action within 180 days after filing the notice of construction lien, and record a notice of pendency of action within that time; otherwise the lien is automatically void (Utah Code 38-1a-701).","residentialRules":"Liens on an owner-occupied residence must describe the steps under the Residence Lien Restriction and Lien Recovery Fund Act (Title 38, Chapter 11) the owner can take to remove the lien, and the enforcement complaint must include the owner instructions and form (38-1a-502(2)(i), 38-1a-701(6)).","otherNotices":["On nonresidential projects over $500,000 with no payment bond, a notice of intent to obtain final completion triggers a 20-day deadline for claimants to amend their preliminary notice with balances owed (38-1a-506)."],"statute":[{"label":"Utah Code 38-1a-501 (preliminary notice)","url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title38/Chapter1A/38-1a-S501.html"},{"label":"Utah Code 38-1a-502 (notice of construction lien)","url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title38/Chapter1A/38-1a-S502.html"},{"label":"Utah Code 38-1a-506 (notice of intent to obtain final completion)","url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title38/Chapter1A/38-1a-S506.html"},{"label":"Utah Code 38-1a-701 (action to enforce)","url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title38/Chapter1A/38-1a-S701.html"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"vermont","name":"Vermont","country":"US","answer":"In Vermont, record a written lien memorandum with the town clerk within 180 days from when payment became due for your last labor or materials. Sue and attach the property within 180 days after filing, or after payment becomes due if later. Subcontractors and suppliers must give the owner written notice, since the lien reaches only unpaid contract funds.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Subcontractors and suppliers who contract with a contractor or subcontractor, not the owner, must give the owner or the owner's agent in charge written notice that they will claim a lien, including the date payment is due if known.","deadline":"No fixed deadline, but the lien extends only to the portion of the contract price still unpaid when the owner receives the notice (9 V.S.A. 1921(b))."},"lienDeadline":"Record a signed written memorandum asserting the lien in the town clerk's office where the property is located within 180 days from the time payment became due for the last labor performed or materials furnished (9 V.S.A. 1921(c), 1923).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence an action and attach the property within 180 days after filing the memorandum if payment was then due, or within 180 days after payment becomes due if it was not due at filing (9 V.S.A. 1924). After judgment, record a certified copy within 5 months to foreclose like a mortgage (9 V.S.A. 1925).","otherNotices":["Lien rights cannot be waived before the labor is performed or materials furnished (9 V.S.A. 1921(f)).","A recorded construction mortgage keeps priority, except for advances made after the lender receives written notice of a lien claim (9 V.S.A. 1921(d))."],"statute":[{"label":"9 V.S.A. 1921","url":"https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/09/051/01921"},{"label":"9 V.S.A. 1923","url":"https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/09/051/01923"},{"label":"9 V.S.A. 1924","url":"https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/09/051/01924"},{"label":"9 V.S.A. 1925","url":"https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/09/051/01925"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"virginia","name":"Virginia","country":"US","answer":"In Virginia, record a memorandum of lien within 90 days from the last day of the month you last worked, and no later than 90 days after the structure is completed. It cannot cover work over 150 days before your last day, except retainage. Sue within 6 months of recording or 60 days after completion, whichever is later.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"On a one- or two-family residential dwelling whose building permit names a mechanics' lien agent, every lien claimant (including the general contractor, except site-development claimants under Va. Code 43-3(B)) must notify the lien agent in writing.","deadline":"Within 30 days after first performing labor or furnishing material, or within 30 days after the permit is issued if work started before the permit (Va. Code 43-4.01(C)).","note":"A late notice limits the lien to labor and materials furnished on or after the notice date. Not required when the permit names no lien agent or the memorandum is recorded before a permit issues. There is no preliminary notice on commercial projects."},"lienDeadline":"Record a memorandum of lien in the circuit court clerk's office no later than 90 days from the last day of the month in which the claimant last performed labor or furnished material, and in no event later than 90 days after the structure is completed or work otherwise terminated (Va. Code 43-4). The memorandum may not include sums for work more than 150 days before the last day of work, except retainage up to 10 percent of the contract price and sums not yet due under pay-when-paid terms. A general contractor must file a certification of mailing a copy to the owner. Subcontractors must also give the owner written notice of the amount and character of the claim (43-7).","enforcementDeadline":"File suit to enforce within 6 months after the memorandum was recorded or within 60 days after the structure was completed or work otherwise terminated, whichever is later (Va. Code 43-17).","residentialRules":"The mechanics' lien agent notice rule applies only to one- and two-family residential dwellings, and the building permit must be posted on site before work starts (Va. Code 43-4.01(A)).","otherNotices":["A subcontractor's lien is limited to what the owner owes or later owes the general contractor; nonindebtedness is an affirmative defense (43-7(A)).","Advance waivers of lien rights in a contract signed before work starts are void (43-3(C)); unlicensed contractors required to hold a license have no lien (43-3(D))."],"statute":[{"label":"Va. Code 43-3","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title43/chapter1/section43-3/"},{"label":"Va. Code 43-4","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title43/chapter1/section43-4/"},{"label":"Va. Code 43-4.01","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title43/chapter1/section43-4.01/"},{"label":"Va. Code 43-7","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title43/chapter1/section43-7/"},{"label":"Va. Code 43-17","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title43/chapter1/section43-17/"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"washington","name":"Washington","country":"US","answer":"In Washington, suppliers, equipment lessors and lower-tier subs must send the owner a notice of right to claim a lien; it only covers work from 60 days before it is sent (10 days on new single-family homes). Record the claim of lien within 90 days after you stop furnishing, serve the owner within 14 days, and sue within eight months after recording.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Every person furnishing professional services, materials or equipment (RCW 60.04.031(1)). Exempt: anyone contracting directly with the owner, laborers claiming only for labor, and subcontractors contracting directly with the prime contractor (60.04.031(2)). On remodels of an existing owner-occupied single-family home, everyone not contracting with the owner must give notice.","deadline":"Any time, but it only protects work supplied after 60 days before mailing or delivery; 10 days before for new construction of a single-family residence","note":"On owner-occupied remodels, non-privity liens can only be paid from amounts the owner had not yet paid the prime contractor when the notice was received (60.04.031(3))."},"lienDeadline":"Record the notice of claim of lien in the county where the property is located not later than 90 days after the claimant ceased furnishing labor, professional services, materials or equipment (RCW 60.04.091). Give the owner a copy by certified or registered mail or personal service within 14 days of recording, or forfeit attorney fees and costs.","enforcementDeadline":"The lien lapses eight calendar months after recording unless an enforcement action is filed in superior court within that time and the owner is served within 90 days of filing (RCW 60.04.141).","statute":[{"label":"RCW 60.04 (mechanics and materialmen's liens)","url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=60.04&full=true"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"west-virginia","name":"West Virginia","country":"US","answer":"In West Virginia, record a notice of mechanic's lien with the county clerk within 100 days after completing your contract or subcontract. Subcontractors must also serve the notice on the owner within those 100 days, and suppliers and laborers count 100 days from their last furnishing. Sue in circuit court within 6 months after filing the notice.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"None before work begins. Subcontractors must serve a notice of lien on the owner or the owner's agent as part of perfecting the lien.","deadline":"Within 100 days after completing the subcontract (W. Va. Code 38-2-9)."},"lienDeadline":"General contractors: record a notice of lien with the county clerk within 100 days after completing their work under the contract (W. Va. Code 38-2-8). Subcontractors: within 100 days after completing the subcontract, serve the notice on the owner and record it with the county clerk (38-2-9). Liens of suppliers and laborers are discharged 100 days after the last materials are furnished or last work is performed unless perfected within that time (38-2-7).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence an action to enforce in circuit court within 6 months after filing the notice of lien in the clerk's office, or the lien is discharged. One lienor's suit preserves the liens of others who intervene (W. Va. Code 38-2-34(a)).","residentialRules":"For an existing single-family dwelling, a residence built for the owner's primary residence, or a single-family owner-occupied dwelling, it is an affirmative defense that the owner owes the contractor nothing or less than the lien amount (W. Va. Code 38-2-34(b)).","statute":[{"label":"W. Va. Code 38-2-7","url":"https://code.wvlegislature.gov/38-2-7/"},{"label":"W. Va. Code 38-2-8","url":"https://code.wvlegislature.gov/38-2-8/"},{"label":"W. Va. Code 38-2-9","url":"https://code.wvlegislature.gov/38-2-9/"},{"label":"W. Va. Code 38-2-34","url":"https://code.wvlegislature.gov/38-2-34/"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"wisconsin","name":"Wisconsin","country":"US","answer":"In Wisconsin, file a lien claim with the circuit court clerk within 6 months of your last work or materials, after serving a notice of intent at least 30 days before filing. Sue within 2 years of filing. On residential jobs of 4 units or fewer, primes must give the owner a lien notice, and subs and suppliers must serve notice within 60 days of first furnishing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Only on wholly residential projects of 4 or fewer family units. Prime contractors who use subs or suppliers must put the statutory lien notice in the written contract with the owner. Subs, sub-subs and suppliers (everyone except a prime) must serve a notice on the owner. Not required on nonresidential or mixed-use work, projects adding more than 4 units, by laborers employed by a contractor, or by those contracting directly with the owner (other than primes).","deadline":"Prime: in the written contract, or if there is no written contract, served within 10 days after first labor or materials are furnished. Subs and suppliers: within 60 days after first furnishing labor or materials, in 2 signed copies.","note":"A late sub or supplier notice still gives a lien for work furnished after the owner actually receives it (779.02(3)). A prime that skips its notice loses the lien unless it pays all its subs and suppliers on time."},"lienDeadline":"Within 6 months from the date the claimant last performed labor or furnished materials, file the claim for lien in the office of the clerk of circuit court for the county where the land is, and serve a copy on the owner within 30 days after filing (779.06(1)). Same deadline for primes and subs.","enforcementDeadline":"Within 2 years from the date of filing the claim for lien, bring the action and file the summons and complaint (779.06(1)).","residentialRules":"Preliminary notice rules under 779.02 apply only to wholly residential projects of 4 or fewer family units. On nonresidential projects and residential projects over 4 units, no prime or sub notice to owner is required, but the 30-day notice of intent still is.","otherNotices":["Notice of intent to file lien claim (779.06(2)): required of every claimant, served on the owner at least 30 days before filing the claim, whether or not a 779.02 notice was given. Because the claim is due within 6 months, the notice of intent must go out within about 5 months of last furnishing.","The claim for lien must attach copies of any 779.02 notice and the notice of intent (779.06(3))."],"statute":[{"label":"Wis. Stat. 779.02 (notice required to preserve lien rights)","url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/779/i/02"},{"label":"Wis. Stat. 779.06 (filing claim, notice of intent, action)","url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/779/i/06"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Read from the official Wisconsin Legislature site (2025 biennium, published 9-4-26). The 2-year enforcement period is in 779.06(1), not 779.10 (779.10 covers the judgment).","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"wyoming","name":"Wyoming","country":"US","answer":"In Wyoming, contractors must send the owner a preliminary notice before receiving any payment; subs and suppliers within 30 days after first furnishing. Send a notice of intent at least 20 days before filing. Contractors file within 150 days and others within 120 days of the earlier of last work or substantial completion. Foreclose within 180 days after filing.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"Contractors, subcontractors and materialmen must all send the record owner or agent written notice of the right to assert a lien; subs and suppliers also copy the contractor they work for (W.S. 29-2-112(a)(i)). Missing the deadline bars the lien.","deadline":"Contractor: before receiving any payment from the owner, including advances. Subcontractor or materialman: within 30 days after first providing services or materials."},"lienDeadline":"Contractors file the lien statement within 150 days, and all others within 120 days, of the earlier of the last day work was performed or materials furnished under the contract, or substantial completion of the project; for a subcontractor, after the last day it worked at the contractor's direction (W.S. 29-2-106(a)). A recorded notice of substantial completion is presumed to set that date. Send the owner a notice of intent to file at least 20 days before filing (29-2-107).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence an action to foreclose within 180 days after filing the lien statement (W.S. 29-2-109).","statute":[{"label":"W.S. Title 29, Chapter 2 (Wyoming Legislature PDF)","url":"https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title29.pdf"}],"confidence":"high","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"alberta","name":"Alberta","country":"CA","answer":"In Alberta, register a builders' lien at Land Titles within 60 days after the last materials are furnished, services completed, or the contract or subcontract is completed or abandoned. Concrete work and oil or gas well sites get 90 days. Within 180 days after registration, sue and register a certificate of lis pendens. Owners hold back 10%.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"None. The Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act has no preliminary notice requirement.","deadline":"Not applicable."},"lienDeadline":"Materials: within 60 days from the day the last materials are furnished or the supply contract is abandoned. Services: within 60 days from completion of the services or abandonment. Contractors and subcontractors otherwise: within 60 days from the day the contract or subcontract is completed or abandoned. Each period is 90 days for improvements to an oil or gas well or well site and for improvements primarily related to concrete (PPCLA s. 41(1) to (4)). An unregistered lien ceases to exist (s. 42).","enforcementDeadline":"A registered lien ceases to exist unless, within 180 days from registration, an action is commenced to realize on it and a certificate of lis pendens is registered at Land Titles (s. 43(1)). If served with a notice to commence, the lienholder has 30 days to sue and register the certificate (s. 45).","otherNotices":["Holdback (major lien fund): the owner retains 10% of the value of work done and materials furnished for 60 days from the certificate of substantial performance or, if none, completion of the contract; 90 days for oil and gas well sites and concrete (s. 18).","Prompt payment: the owner must pay a proper invoice within 28 days of receipt unless it gives a notice of dispute within 14 days of receipt (s. 32.2). A contractor pays subcontractors within 7 days of receiving payment (s. 32.3).","Annual or phased holdback release is mandatory where the contract provides for it, the price exceeds the prescribed amount and no liens are outstanding (s. 24.1).","Except as provided in the Public Works Act, the Act does not apply to public works (s. 1.1(1.1)). Disputes may be adjudicated under the Prompt Payment and Adjudication Regulation, Alta. Reg. 23/2022."],"statute":[{"label":"Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act, RSA 2000, c. P-26.4","url":"https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/P26P4.pdf"}],"confidence":"medium","notes":"Read from the King's Printer office consolidation current as of April 1, 2025, the latest posted. Adjudication timelines in Alta. Reg. 23/2022 (amended by 265/2025) were not reviewed.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"british-columbia","name":"British Columbia","country":"CA","answer":"In British Columbia, file a claim of lien in the land title office within 45 days after a certificate of completion is issued for your contract or subcontract. Without one, file within 45 days after the head contract is completed, abandoned or terminated. Start an action and register a certificate of pending litigation within one year of filing. Holdback is 10%.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"None. The Builders Lien Act has no preliminary notice requirement for contractors, subcontractors or suppliers.","deadline":"Not applicable."},"lienDeadline":"If a certificate of completion has been issued for a contract or subcontract, the contractor or subcontractor and everyone engaged under it must file within 45 days after the date the certificate was issued (Builders Lien Act s. 20(1)). Otherwise, file within 45 days after the head contract is completed, abandoned or terminated, or, if there is no head contractor, after the improvement is completed or abandoned (s. 20(2)). A lien not filed in time is extinguished (s. 22).","enforcementDeadline":"Commence an action and register a certificate of pending litigation in the land title office not later than one year from the date the claim of lien was filed (s. 33(1)). An owner, or a lien claimant who has sued, can serve a notice to commence requiring the action and certificate within 21 days after service (s. 33(2)). Missing either deadline extinguishes the lien (s. 33(5)).","residentialRules":"Construction of a strata lot is completed, and its contract substantially performed, no later than the date the strata lot is first occupied (s. 1(4)).","otherNotices":["Holdback: the person primarily liable on each contract and subcontract must retain 10% of the greater of the value of work or material provided and payments made (s. 4(1)). No holdback is retained from a worker, material supplier, architect or engineer (s. 4(6)). Owners must hold it in a holdback account at a savings institution (s. 5).","Holdback period: expires 55 days after a certificate of completion is issued, or otherwise 55 days after the head contract is completed, abandoned or terminated (s. 8).","Completed means substantially performed: remaining work can be completed for no more than 3% of the first $500,000 of the price, 2% of the next $500,000 and 1% of the balance (s. 1(2)). A contract is deemed abandoned after 30 days with no work, subject to listed exceptions (s. 1(5))."],"statute":[{"label":"Builders Lien Act, S.B.C. 1997, c. 45 (current to September 15, 2026)","url":"https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/97045_01"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"As consolidated to September 15, 2026, the BC Act contains no prompt payment or adjudication regime comparable to Ontario's or Alberta's.","checked":"2026-09-24"},{"slug":"ontario","name":"Ontario","country":"CA","answer":"In Ontario, preserve a construction lien within 60 days after the earlier of publication of the certificate of substantial performance or completion, abandonment or termination of the contract; subcontractors also count from their last supply. Perfect it by starting an action and registering a certificate of action within the next 90 days. Owners hold back 10%, now released annually.","preliminaryNotice":{"required":"None. Ontario has no US-style preliminary notice: lien rights arise from supplying services or materials to an improvement without any notice to the owner before or during the work.","deadline":"Not applicable."},"lienDeadline":"Preserve the lien under s. 34 (for a lien that attaches to the premises, by registering a claim for lien on title). Contractor: before the end of the 60-day period after the earlier of the date the certificate or declaration of substantial performance is published and the date the contract is completed, abandoned or terminated; for supply after substantial performance, 60 days after completion, abandonment or termination (Construction Act s. 31(2)). Subcontractors and suppliers: 60 days after the earliest of publication of the certificate, their last supply of services or materials, completion, abandonment or termination of the prime contract, or certification of their subcontract as completed (s. 31(3)).","enforcementDeadline":"A preserved lien expires unless perfected before the end of the 90-day period following the last day on which it could have been preserved (s. 36(2)). Perfect by commencing an action and registering a certificate of action on title, or, where the lien does not attach to the premises, by commencing the action (s. 36(3)). A preserved lien can also be perfected by sheltering under another claimant's perfected lien on the same improvement (s. 36(4)).","otherNotices":["Holdback: every payer on a contract or subcontract retains 10% of the price of services or materials as supplied, plus a separate 10% finishing holdback on work after substantial performance (s. 22).","Mandatory annual holdback release (in force January 1, 2026): not later than 14 days after each contract anniversary the owner must publish a notice of annual release of holdback, then pay the contractor the accrued holdback for the prior year 60 to 74 days after publication unless a lien has been preserved or perfected. The contractor pays subcontractors within 14 days of receiving it (s. 26). For contracts entered before January 1, 2026, the first anniversary covered is the second anniversary falling after that date, and that payment includes all earlier accrued holdback (s. 87.4(4)).","Prompt payment: the owner pays a proper invoice within 28 days of receiving it unless it gives a notice of non-payment within 14 days of receipt (s. 6.4). A contractor pays subcontractors within 7 days of receiving payment (s. 6.5). Since January 1, 2026 a proper invoice may be revised only with the owner's advance agreement and without changing its date (s. 6.3(5)).","Adjudication (Part II.1): parties to a contract or subcontract may refer prescribed disputes to adjudication. As amended by S.O. 2024, c. 20, Sched. 4, notice of adjudication cannot be given more than 90 days after the contract is completed, abandoned or terminated (for subcontracts, the earliest of that date, certification of subcontract completion, or the sub's last supply) unless the parties agree otherwise (s. 13.5(3), (3.1))."],"statute":[{"label":"Construction Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.30 (e-Laws, current to September 21, 2026)","url":"https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90c30"},{"label":"O. Reg. 384/25, Transitional Matters","url":"https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/250384"}],"confidence":"high","notes":"Existing annual or phased holdback arrangements under former ss. 26.1 and 26.2 continue for pre-2026 contracts until the date set in s. 87.4(4) para. 1 (O. Reg. 384/25, s. 1). Certain listed public project agreements keep the old s. 26 (s. 87.4(5)).","checked":"2026-09-24"}]}