How to File a Valid Lien in Ohio:
- Place 2* Contractors must send the Owner a “Notice of Furnishing” within twenty-one (21) days of first work and/or materials supplied.
- Place 3* and below Contractors must send the Owner and the Place 1* Contractor a “Notice of Furnishing” within twenty-one (21) days of first work and/or materials supplied.
- You must file your lien within seventy-five (75) days of the last work and/or materials supplied.
- You must send the Owner a copy of the lien that was filed within thirty (30) days of it being filed.
How to Have a Valid Bond Claim in Ohio:
- Bonds are required on all public projects.
- You must send notice of your claim to the Sureties on the bond within ninety (90) days of the acceptance of the work.
- You must wait sixty (60) days after you send your notice of claim to file suit to enforce your claim.
- You must bring suit to enforce your claim within one (1) year of acceptance of the work.
- You can also file a lien against the funds due to a Place 1* Contractor on a public project. For Place 2* Contractors and below: to have a lien on the funds, you must send a sworn statement of how much you are owed within one hundred and twenty (120) days of the last work and/or materials supplied, to the public authority that hired the Place 1* Contractor.
- Place 3* and below Contractors and Material Suppliers must also send the Place 1* Contractor a “Notice of Furnishing” within twenty-one (21) days of first work and/or materials supplied, to have a lien on the funds.
If you work in Ohio, you must understand the above rules, and prioritize putting them into practice. Filing a valid lien is the best way to get you and your team paid for the work you’ve done. If you want to get your hands on Ohio’s lien forms, consider purchasing the required materials from us! If you’d like someone else to take care of filing your construction liens or bonds, and do it the right way, contact a professional Ohio lien attorney who is experienced in construction law and let them take care of it for you. Our sister company, The Cromeens Law Firm, has a 90% success rate of collections before having to foreclose on a lien, saving you costly legal fees. Security is important. Maintain yours and file your liens the right way.
*The “places” referenced in the rules above correlate to the Construction Food Chain Chart from Karalynn Cromeens’ book,
Quit Getting Stiffed. The chart can be found here to use when following these lien and bond rules.