Missouri Construction Lien Guide
Missouri lien laws are governed by Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 429.
If you provide labor, materials, equipment, or services that improve real property in Missouri, this guide explains how to protect your lien rights, including notice requirements, filing deadlines, and enforcement rules.
In Missouri, the terms Mechanics Lien and Construction Lien are commonly used interchangeably.
LET’S LEARN THE BASICS OF MISSOURI CONSTRUCTION LIENS
⭐ Who Can File a Mechanics Lien in Missouri?
Missouri grants lien rights to parties who improve real property, including general contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, material suppliers, laborers, equipment rental companies, restoration contractors, and certain design professionals. If you furnished labor or materials to a Missouri project and were not paid, you may have lien rights under Missouri law.
⭐ Missouri Lien Deadlines (Critical)
LIEN IT OR LOSE IT! Missouri lien law is strict. Missing a deadline or required notice can permanently eliminate lien rights.
Deadline #1: When Must a Missouri Mechanics Lien Be Filed?
A Missouri mechanics lien must be filed:
Within six (6) months after the claimant last furnished labor or materials to the project.
If the lien is not filed within this six-month period, lien rights are permanently lost.
Deadline #2: Enforcing a Missouri Mechanics Lien
After filing the lien, it must be enforced by filing a lawsuit:
Within six (6) months after the lien is filed.
If suit is not timely filed, the lien becomes unenforceable.
BEFORE YOU CAN FILE A MISSOURI MECHANICS LIEN, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND MISSOURI’S NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE A MECHANICS LIEN REQUIREMENT. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LIEN STEPS IN MISSOURI.
⭐ Missouri Notice of Intent to Claim a Lien Requirements
Missouri does not require a standard preliminary notice on most construction projects. However, subcontractors working on owner-occupied residential property must send a Notice of Intention to Claim a Mechanics Lien to preserve lien rights. This notice serves to inform the property owner that the subcontractor may file a lien if payment is not received.
Who Must Send a Missouri Notice of Intention to Claim a Lien?
Subcontractors on owner-occupied residential projects
Material suppliers on owner-occupied residential projects
Who Does NOT Need to Send a Missouri Notice of Intent to Claim a Lien?
General contractorswith a direct contract with the owner
Claimants on commercial projects
Claimants on non-owner-occupied residential properties
Missouri Notice of Intent to Claim a Lien
When required, the Notice of Intent to File a Mechanics Lien must be sent:
At least 10 days before the mechanics lien is filed