Don’t sacrifice your power! Liens exist to protect your pay and make sure you are properly compensated for the work you do. But without understanding the construction lien laws for your state, you’re powerless. We’re here to take away the complexity and confusion and give it to you straight. If you work in Idaho and need to know the lien laws, this is the place for you. Here, we break down exactly what the state of Idaho requires of you to properly file a valid construction lien and bond claim.
Who Can File a Lien in Idaho:
- Contractors in Place 3* and above.
- A Contractor must be registered to enforce a lien. If you only supply materials, you do not need to register.
- You must file a lien within ninety (90) days of the last work performed and/or material supplied.
- A copy of the lien that was filed must be served on the Owner by certified mail within five (5) days of the lien being filed.
- You must file suit to foreclose the lien within six (6) months of it being filed or the lien will expire.
- You can recover attorney fees as part of a foreclosure action.
How to File a Valid Bond Claim in Idaho:
- Bonds are required on all public projects over $50,000.
- You must be in Place 3* or above to have bond claim rights.
- You must give notice of the bond claim within ninety (90) days of the last work performed and/or materials supplied.
- Must file suit within one (1) year of when payment was due.
If you work in Idaho, these lien laws are your business’s best friend. Put them into practice to protect your right to payment. To ensure you have a great grasp on the Idaho Lien Laws, tune into this episode of The Quit Getting Screwed Construction Podcast. If you want someone else to take care of filing your lien or bond claim, and do it the right way, contact an experienced Idaho lien lawyer who knows construction law. 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. Nobody should work for free. Your lien rights are in place to make sure you don’t have to.
*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.