Mechanic's Lien Guide
Michigan Mechanic's Lien Guide
Lien deadlines, notice requirements, and filing procedures for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in Michigan.
Michigan Lien Deadlines
Preliminary Notice
20 daysNotice of Furnishing must be given within 20 days of starting work or must be sent within 20 days of the Notice of Commencement being actually filed or received.
Mechanic's lien
90 daysMust be filed within 90 days of last work. Enforcement must be initiated within 1 year of lien filing. Mechanic's liens cannot be extended in Michigan. Concurrent with filing the foreclosure lawsuit, a Notice of Lis Pendens should be filed with the Register of Deeds. This notice informs the public that legal action has been initiated against the property, preventing its sale or transfer without addressing the lien.
Calculate your Michigan Mechanics Lien Deadline
Your project
DISCLAIMER: These deadlines are pulled from recent lien laws, but you should consult a lien expert or lawyer to understand the deadlines specific to your situation.
Michigan deadlines
Showing deadlines for a Subcontractor. Deadlines can vary by role.
Enter your project dates on the left to calculate exact deadline dates.
Preliminary Notice
20 days from first furnishing (Notice of Furnishing served on owner and prime contractor)
Enter project dates to calculate
Mechanics Lien Filing
90 days from last furnishing
Enter project dates to calculate
Enforcement (foreclosure)
1 year from the date of filing the lien
Calculated once you record the lien
Unpaid-balance state: your lien may be limited to the amount the owner still owes the general contractor when notice is received.
Michigan Lien Guide
Preliminary Notice & Notice of Intent
Preliminary Notice: Only required for subcontractors and suppliers in Michigan. Notice of Intent to Lien: Not required in Michigan.
Who Can File a Mechanic's Lien
Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers are entitled to mechanic's lien rights in Michigan.
Who Gets the Notice
Notice is given to the project owner and general contractor.
Information Required
Information needed to file a mechanic's lien in Michigan includes: - Project owner's name - Description of the property - Amount owed - Last date of work - Claimant's information
Michigan Public Works
In Michigan, a mechanic's lien on public works projects is not available. Send a Notice of Furnishing if you are not contracted with the owner or the prime contractor within 30 days of first delivery or labor. Qualifying parties working on public projects can file suit on payment bonds. Claimants (subcontractors, suppliers, etc.) must generally send a bond claim to the public entity commissioning the work (e.g., city, state, school district) and the prime contractor within 90 days of their last furnishing of labor or materials to the project. There are two different statutes governing government-owned projects and state highway projects. Notice requirements vary for government-owned versus state highway projects. For highway projects, the deadline to send a bond claim is often 60 days from the last furnishing of labor or materials, and the notice needs to be sent to the Department of Transportation (MDOT). Some MDOT bonds may have an "MDOT Endorsement" that can extend this deadline. For non-highway projects, suit must be filed after 90 days from last work, but within 1 year from the date final payment was made to the general contractor. For highway projects, suit must be filed within 1 year of project acceptance.
Michigan Lien Statutes
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