Collections tool

Mechanic's lien deadline calculator for contractors

Use this lien calculator to estimate the notice, filing, and enforcement deadline guideposts that may apply when a homeowner or general contractor has not paid. Pick your state and job dates to see the dates to investigate before rights expire.

Your state

First day you worked / delivered Last day (or completion) (if done)

What this lien calculator checks

Preliminary notice

Whether the state has an early notice window tied to first work, first delivery, or contract timing.

Lien filing date

The rough deadline to record a mechanic's lien after last furnishing, completion, or another state-specific trigger.

Enforcement window

The time limit to enforce or foreclose a recorded lien before it expires and loses practical leverage.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Lien laws change and the details (what counts as "completion," residential exceptions, licensing) get technical fast. Always confirm against your current state statute or a construction attorney before relying on a date — especially in the states we flag below.

How lien rights work

Preliminary notice — many states make you send this within days of starting work, before any dispute. Skip it and you can lose lien rights entirely.
Record the lien — file with the county recorder within the window after the job wraps.
Enforce it — to actually get paid, you file suit to foreclose within the (often short) enforcement window. A recorded lien you never enforce expires worthless.

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