Georgia Construction Lien FAQ

In Georgia, a construction lien must be filed within 90 days of your last furnishing of labor, materials, or services to the project. This deadline is strict and cannot be extended. If the lien is not filed within this 90-day period, lien rights are permanently lost.

For a full walkthrough, see the Georgia Mechanics/Construction Lien Step-By-Step Guide.

Georgia does not use a “Notice of Furnishing.” Instead, a Notice to Owner is required only if a Notice of Commencement has been filed on the project. When required, the Notice to Owner must be sent within 30 days of first furnishing labor, materials, or services. If a Notice of Commencement exists and the Notice to Owner is not sent on time, lien rights are lost.

Georgia allows lien claims by a wide range of construction participants, including general contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment rental companies, laborers, restoration contractors, and design professionals such as architects and engineers. Any party who improves real property and remains unpaid may be entitled to file a lien.

If you miss the 90-day deadline to file a Georgia construction lien, you lose your lien rights entirely. Once the deadline passes, you can no longer record a lien against the property, regardless of the amount owed.

Georgia construction liens are recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the property is located. Filing in the wrong county or office can invalidate the lien.

Yes. A Georgia mechanics lien must be enforced by filing a foreclosure lawsuit and recording a Notice of Lis Pendens within 365 days of the lien filing date. If either step is missed, the lien becomes unenforceable. Because this process involves court proceedings, attorney representation is strongly recommended.

A valid Georgia lien must include the legal description of the property, the property owner’s name, the claimant’s name and contact information, the first and last dates of work, a description of the labor or materials provided, the amount claimed as unpaid, and a verification under oath. Accurate information is critical, as errors can invalidate the lien.

No. Georgia does not impose a minimum or maximum dollar amount for filing a construction lien. You may file a lien for any unpaid amount owed, though it is always wise to consider whether filing a lien is cost-effective based on the amount in dispute.

Yes. Multiple contractors may file separate construction liens against the same property if each provided labor or materials and was not paid. For example, a plumber, electrician, and HVAC contractor working on the same project may each record their own lien for the amount owed to them.

Once payment is received, Georgia law requires that the lien be cancelled or satisfied of record. Failing to release a lien after payment can expose the lien claimant to liability.