Mechanics & Construction Lien Filing Services

In many cases, yes. A lien is recorded in public records, and notice requirements vary by state and situation, so homeowners sometimes learn about it after filing.

Yes, preliminary notices are usually required to secure lien rights in Washington, Oregon, and California, 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.

Learn more: 

• How to Send a California 20-day Preliminary Notice
• How to Send an Oregon Notice of Right to Lien
• How to Send a Preliminary Notice in WA

Your lien may be challenged and may not count as valid, even if you really are owed money.

If you are a general contractor dealing directly with the owner in Washington, you must provide a Model Disclosure Statement (Notice to Owner) before starting work if your project is:

• A residential repair of 4 or fewer units (bids of $1,000+)
• A commercial property (bids between $1,000–$60,000)

The owner must sign this document and keep it on file for at least 3 years.

Requirements in CA and OR vary, but direct contractors often must include specific warning language in their initial contracts.

No, a lengthy legal property description is generally not required. In Washington, Oregon, and California, providing a standard street address or a clear location description is usually enough to properly identify the property for your lien claim.

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:

• How to cancel a lien in Washington
• How to cancel a lien in Oregon

No. In WA, OR, and CA, “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.

Generally, no. Washington, Oregon, and California 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.

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.

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.

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.