Washington Construction Lien FAQ

In Washington, you must record the mechanics lien Within 90 days of last furnishing of labor or material.

Yes. Most subs and suppliers must send a Pre-Claim of Lien Notice within 60 days of first furnishing.

Washington grants mechanics lien rights to:

• General contractors

• Subcontractors

• Sub-subcontractors

• Material suppliers

• Equipment rental companies

• Laborers

• Architects, engineers, surveyors, and other design professionals

In Washington, missing the 90-day lien filing deadline you permanently lose lien rights.

Washington mechanics liens are recorded with the County Auditor/Recorder where the property is located.

You must enforce a Washington construction lien within 8 months of recording.

A Washington mechanics lien must contain specific required information and be properly executed, the information is: 

• Claimant’s legal name and address

• Property owner’s name

• Hiring party’s name

• Legal description of the property

• Description of labor, materials, or services

• Amount claimed as unpaid

• First and last date of furnishing

• Claimant’s signature and verification

No. Washington does not impose a blanket minimum or maximum lien amount, but contractors should consider whether the amount in dispute justifies the cost of filing and enforcing the lien.

Yes, absolutely. There is no limit to the number of construction liens that can be filed against a single property.

If the customer pays you the full amount owed after you have recorded a lien, you have a legal obligation to formally clear the lien from the property records.

You must prepare and file a Washington Discharge of Lien (or Release of Lien) with the same office where the original lien was recorded.