Contractors, subcontractors, laborers, or material suppliers in California can file a mechanic’s lien to secure their payment. Learn the timelines and crucial steps to avoid deadlines in our guide.
Updated: October 2025
A mechanic’s lien acts as a safety net for construction professionals. It is a legal claim placed on a property to ensure you get paid for the work you performed or the materials you supplied. When a lien is filed, it can prevent the property owner from selling or refinancing the property until the debt is settled. This transforms your unpaid invoice into a powerful tool for securing payment.
The right to file a lien is not limited to general contractors. The California mechanics lien statute grants this ability to a wide range of participants in a construction project.
| Step | Description | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Notice | A required notice sent to the property owner and other parties to preserve lien rights. | Within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials. |
| File Mechanic’s Lien (General) | Record the lien with the County Recorder if you have not been paid. | Within 90 days after the entire project is completed. |
| File Mechanic’s Lien (Shortened) | The deadline is shortened if the owner records a “Notice of Completion” or “Cessation.” | 60 days for direct contractors; 30 days for subcontractors/suppliers. |
| Foreclose on the Lien | File a lawsuit to enforce the lien. If this step is missed, the lien expires. | Within 90 days of the date the lien was recorded. |
Meeting every deadline is critical. The California mechanic’s lien timeline has several key dates that you must not miss.
Filing before the deadline protects your payment rights and maintains your business’s financial health. If you miss a filing deadline, the consequences can be severe and extend beyond a single unpaid invoice.
To hit your deadlines, use a simple system:
Filing a false or fraudulent mechanics lien in California can backfire. You could lose the lien, face financial damages, or face criminal charges. The consequences can vary based on whether it was just an honest mistake or a deliberate scam.
Here are the steps and requirements for filing a mechanics lien in California:
Serve the Preliminary Notice: Ensure you serve the 20-day preliminary notice correctly at the start of your work.
Prepare the Lien Form: Complete the California mechanics lien form. You can often find a mechanics lien California PDF template online, but it must contain all statutorily required information to be valid. (We can help with that!)
Record the Lien: File the completed lien form with the County Recorder’s office in the county where the property is located. You must also pay the recording fee.
Serve the Lien: Serve a copy of the recorded lien on the property owner.
File a Lawsuit: If you are still not paid, file a foreclosure action within 90 days of recording the lien.
Filing a mechanics lien in California doesn’t have a set cost. It varies by county and whether you hire a service or an attorney.
Here is a breakdown of potential costs:
In Los Angeles County, the recording fee for a one-page mechanics lien is usually about $100. Just to be safe, it’s a good idea to check with the county recorder’s office for the latest fee info.
Still need help? Talk to our California lien experts. We can make it simple for you.
Partnering with a lien specialist removes the guesswork and ensures the process is handled correctly.
We’ve been helping contractors and subcontractors file a lien since 1999. We manage the entire process for you, ensuring all requirements are met. This includes:
A smooth, dependable payment process allows you to maintain healthy business operations and focus on the work that matters most.
If you need help filing a mechanics lien in California, we’ll handle the details to protect your projects and your peace of mind.
Can you file a mechanics lien without a preliminary notice in California?
Generally, no. With few exceptions (like a direct contractor on a small project or a laborer), failing to send a 20-day preliminary notice will prevent you from enforcing a mechanic’s lien.
Can you file a mechanics lien after 90 days in California?
No. The deadlines are strict. If you miss the statutory deadline to file your lien (whether it is 30, 60, or 90 days), you lose your right to do so.
How to check mechanics lien status in California?
You can check for liens by searching the official property records at the County Recorder’s office for the county where the property is located. Many counties offer online access to these records.
What makes a mechanic’s lien invalid in California?
A lien can become invalid for several reasons. For example, parties may miss deadlines, fail to serve a preliminary notice, provide incorrect information on the lien form, or file the lien without a required license if the contractor is unlicensed.
Can someone put a lien on my house without me knowing in California?
Yes, a claimant can record a lien with the county recorder without your prior consent. However, they are legally required to serve you with a copy of the recorded lien, so you should be notified shortly after it is filed.
What is the California mechanics lien priority?
In California, mechanics liens follow the “first in time, first in right” rule, but here’s the twist: their priority date goes back to when the construction project started, not when the lien was filed. This means mechanics’ liens often have priority over other liens, which is great for construction workers and suppliers.
