Mechanics & Construction Lien Filing Services
File Your Lien Today
DIY vs Lawyer vs Northwest Lien
| Doing It Yourself (DIY) | Construction Lawyer | Northwest Lien | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | County recording fees + your valuable time | Very High ($300+/hour) | Affordable Flat Rates |
| Speed | Slow (Understanding the statutes) | Slow (Waiting for consults) | Fast (Often under 48 hours with our Rush lien service) |
| Risk of Error | High (One typo could invalidate) | Low | Low |
| Effort | Hard (You handle all mailing & recording) | Hard (You gather all documents) | Easy – You submit details, we do the rest |
File Your Lien, Get Paid FAST
If you’re owed money on a job in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, or California, you need to file a mechanics lien to secure your payment.
Our Construction Lien Service
- As a leading online mechanics lien service, Northwest Lien helps contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers protect their right to get paid.
- We handle the entire process of filing a construction lien correctly, on time, and in the exact county required.
- We make sure you never waste time or lose your leverage due to a missed deadline or a simple clerical error.
The Northwest Lien Advantage
We are the sweet spot. We provide the accuracy and state-specific expertise of a professional at a fraction of a law firm’s cost. Not sure if you qualify? Talk to our lien specialists. We’ll tell you your exact next steps.
Who needs to file a mechanics lien?
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Material suppliers
- Labor providers (where allowed)
- Property improvement professionals who haven’t been paid
What To Know
Lien Deadlines
If you miss the deadline, you may lose your lien rights even if you did the work.
Washington
Washington mechanics liens must be filed within 90 days of the last delivery of labor or materials. Learn more.
Read our complete guide to filing a mechanic lien in Washington to comply with state lien requirements.
Oregon
A construction lien must be filed within 75 days of the last day labor, materials, or equipment were provided, or 75 days after completion of project, whichever is earlier. Learn more.
Get the right Oregon requirements by reading our complete guide on how to file a mechanics lien in Oregon.
California
California mechanics liens must generally be filed within 90 days of project completion. Learn more.
Learn how to file a mechanics lien in California, the requirements to comply to CA lien laws, and deadlines.
Idaho
Record the Claim of Lien with the county recorder in the county where the property is located within 90 days after completing labor or services or furnishing materials. After recording, a true and correct copy must be served on the owner or reputed owner no later than five business days after filing
Nevada
Record your Notice of Lien within 90 days of your last work, materials, or equipment furnished, or within 40 days after a properly recorded and served Notice of Completion.
Need Help With a Lien?
Not sure which notice, deadline, or filing requirement applies to your project? Our team can help you take the next step.
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Lien filing deadlines are strict and vary by state. Enter your details and we will tell you exactly how much time you have left.
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Trusted by Contractors Across the West
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a preliminary notice required to file a construction lien?
Yes, preliminary notices are usually required to secure lien rights, but the rules differ by state.
- California requires a notice within 20 days
- Oregon, within 8 days of starting work
- Washington requires a 60-day notice for subcontractors and suppliers, with some exceptions for direct contractors or labor-only agreements.
- Nevada requires a preliminary notice (often called a Notice of Right to Lien) within 31 days of first furnishing labor or materials.
- Idaho generally does not require a preliminary notice to secure a mechanics lien, though general contractors must provide a specific disclosure statement to residential property owners before signing a contract.
What happens if I file a lien without the required preliminary notice?
Your lien may be challenged and may not be valid, even if you’re owed money. To determine your eligibility to file a lien, ask our lien specialists.
What happens to a mechanics lien after I get paid?
Once you receive payment, you must release the lien immediately. Washington, Oregon, and California laws require project participants to file a “Lien Release” (or cancellation certificate) with the county recorder to remove the claim and clear the property’s title.
Learn more:
Can a supplier file a mechanics lien if they only sold to another supplier?
No. In WA, OR, CA, ID, and NV, “supplier-to-supplier” transactions do not qualify for lien rights. To have the right to file a lien, you must supply materials directly to a contractor, a subcontractor, or the property owner.
Is there a minimum amount to put a lien on a property?
Generally, no. Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Idaho do not have a strict legal minimum dollar amount required to file a mechanics lien. However, because filing a lien involves county recording fees and possible legal costs, you should weigh whether the amount owed is worth the time and expense of filing.
How long is a mechanics lien good for?
A mechanics lien does not last forever. If you are not paid, you must enforce the lien through a lawsuit before a strict deadline, or the lien expires and becomes invalid. The expiration deadlines are:
- Washington: 8 months after the lien is recorded.
- Oregon: 120 days after the lien is recorded.
- California: 90 days after the lien is recorded.
- Nevada: 6 months after the lien is recorded.
- Idaho: 6 months after the lien is recorded.
How does a contractor get paid from a lien?
A recorded mechanics lien attaches to the property’s public title. This makes it incredibly difficult for the owner to sell, transfer, or refinance the property without paying you first. Usually, this public pressure forces the owner to settle the debt quickly. If they don’t, you can sue to foreclose on the property, meaning the court forces a property sale to pay you what you are owed.
What are the next steps after filing a lien?
Now that you’ve filed your lien, it’s important to know what comes next. Read our blog post for a step-by-step guide on how to enforce a mechanics lien in Washington State. For other states, message our lien specialists.
Can I file a mechanics lien without a lawyer?
Yes. A contractor, subcontractor, supplier, equipment lessor, or eligible laborer can generally prepare, sign, record, and serve their own mechanics lien without hiring a lawyer.
That said, self-filing has real risks because lien laws are technical and deadline-driven. A lien can fail if the claimant:
- Misses a preliminary-notice, recording, service, or enforcement deadline.
- Records in the wrong county.
- Uses the wrong legal property description.
- Names the wrong owner, hiring party, or contractor.
- Includes an unsupported amount, unapproved extras, or improper interest and fees.
- Fails to verify the lien, attach required documents, or use statutory wording.
- Does not timely file a foreclosure lawsuit after recording.
To avoid paying a law firm while complying with lien statutes, file your lien with a dedicated lien filing service like Northwest Lien. Since 1999, we’ve helped construction professionals secure their payment.
Is there a statute of limitations on mechanics liens?
Yes. There are usually two deadlines: first, to record the lien, and second, to file a lawsuit to enforce or foreclose on it. Missing either deadline can eliminate or extinguish lien rights. Talk to our lien specialists for assistance. Call our hotlines:
- WA, ID, NV: (425) 201-5120
- OR: (503) 493-7332
- CA: (310) 750-0697
How does a contractor’s lien work?
A contractor’s lien, often called a mechanics lien or construction lien, is a legal claim against real property for unpaid work or materials used to improve it.
To learn our process or seek assistance, read our state guides or talk to our specialists. We’ll walk you through every step.