Mechanics lien law
Washington lien deadlines for contractors
Updated · Checked against primary sources
The short 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.
The deadlines
| Step | Rule |
|---|---|
| Preliminary notice: who | 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. |
| Preliminary notice: when | 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 (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)).) |
| File or register the lien | 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. |
| Enforce or perfect it | 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). |
Common questions
- Do I need to send a preliminary notice in Washington?
- 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. 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.
- How long do I have to file a lien in Washington?
- 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.
- How long does a Washington lien last before I have to enforce it?
- 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).
General information from the statutes cited below, checked 2026-09-24. Lien law is strict and details depend on your role and contract. Confirm with a construction lawyer in Washington before relying on a deadline.
Where Pavado comes in
How Pavado builds a CRM around your jobs
Lien rights are usually lost to a calendar, not a court. We build CRMs that start each job's notice and lien clocks from its real start and completion dates and remind you before every deadline, so the rights you earned by doing the work are still there when a customer stops paying.
Instead of bending your shop around someone else's software, we build the system around how your jobs actually move, and connect it to what you already use.
- Your pipeline, your stages. From first call to paid invoice, set up the way your team already works.
- Automations for the busywork. Follow-ups, reminders and handoffs that happen without anyone remembering.
- One record per customer. Calls, quotes, jobs, photos and invoices in one place instead of five apps.
- Connected to your stack. QuickBooks or Xero, Gmail or Outlook, payments and e-sign, plus thousands more through Zapier and an API.
- 1.Book a free demo and walk us through how a job moves today.
- 2.We map the workflow and send a scoped proposal, free.
- 3.We build it, connect your tools and get your team using it.
The first conversation and a scoped proposal are free, and we will tell you early if we are not the right fit.
Go deeper
- GuideWhen to File a Construction Lien: 2026 DeadlinesFile while the clock runs: 30 to 60 days in Canada (60 in Ontario), 90 to 180 in most US states, counted from completion. Registering costs $200 to $500.
- GuideCustomer Short Paid the Final Invoice: 5 MovesBefore you chase the balance, decide whether to deposit the cheque. In the US, cashing one marked 'paid in full' can legally erase what you are owed.
- GuideHow to Collect a Contractor Deposit: 5 RulesMake the deposit due 3 to 5 business days before the start date, size it to your upfront spend, and check state caps: California's is $1,000, not $10,000.
- GuideProgress Payment Schedule: 6 Rules That Get PaidEight states cap what you can collect up front. California's limit is $1,000. How to build a draw schedule under your legal ceiling and stay cash positive.
Other states
- USAlabama lien deadlines
- USAlaska lien deadlines
- USArizona lien deadlines
- USArkansas lien deadlines
- USCalifornia lien deadlines
- USColorado lien deadlines
Sources
Cite this page
Pavado, “Washington Lien Deadlines 2026: Notice and Filing”, https://www.pavadotech.com/lien-deadlines/washington, updated 2026-09-24.