Filing construction liens is integral to the functionality of your business. However, with different lien laws for every state, it isn’t always easy to figure out exactly how you can do it—and do it right. We’re here to take away the complexity and confusion and give it to you straight. If you work in Minnesota and need to know the lien laws, this is the site for you. Here, we break down exactly what the state of Minnesota requires for you to properly file a valid Mechanic’s Lien and bond claim.
How to File a Valid Lien in Minnesota:
- Place 1* Contractors must give a pre-lien notice to the Owner. This notice is called “General Contractor’s Notice.” This notice must be given as part of the contract; if there is no contract, it must be given within ten (10) days of the agreement to do work.
- Place 2* and below Contractors must give a pre-lien notice to the Owner within forty-five (45) days of first work performed and/or materials supplied.
- Although you have forty-five (45) days to send your pre-lien notice, the sooner you send it the better. If the owner pays everything to the Place 1* Contractor before they receive your pre-lien notice, you are not entitled to a lien.
- You must file your lien within one hundred and twenty (120) days of the last work performed and/or materials supplied.
- You must send the Owner a copy of the lien that was filed.
- You must file a lawsuit to enforce your lien within one (1) year of the last work performed and/or materials supplied.
How to Have a Valid Bond Claim in Minnesota:
- Bonds are required on public projects of more than $175,000.
- The public body having the work done must make the bond available for inspection and copying upon request.
- You must send notice of how much you are owed within one hundred and twenty (120) days of the last work performed and/or materials supplied to the Surety and Place 1* Contractor.
- You must file suit within one (1) year of the last time work was performed and/or materials supplied.
If you work in Minnesota, let these laws act as a guide for how to file your construction liens. Making sure you’re filing valid, timely, and enforceable liens is your best guarantee of getting paid what you are owed. If you’d like someone else to take care of filing your lien or bonds claim, and do it the right way, contact a professional Minnesota lien attorney who knows construction law to 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. Build a better and brighter future for your company. File your liens and bonds correctly with our help.
*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.