How many days do you have to file a mechanics lien in Wisconsin?
A lien claim must be filed with the clerk of circuit court in the county where the land lies within 6 months after the claimant last furnished labor, services or materials, and a copy must be served on the owner within 30 days after filing. At least 30 days before filing, the claimant must serve the owner with a written notice of intent to file a lien claim that describes the claim, its amount and the property. The claim attaches copies of both notices and states the contract, the debtor, the last date of work, a legal description and the amount.1 Wis. Stat. 779.06(1)-(3)
Do you need a preliminary notice in Wisconsin?
A prime contractor who hires subcontractors or suppliers must put a statutory lien notice in the written contract with the owner (or serve it on the owner within 10 days after the first work if there is no written contract); a prime contractor who skips it loses lien rights unless it has paid everyone below it. Every other claimant, meaning a subcontractor or supplier who did not contract directly with the owner, keeps lien rights only if it serves a written notice, in two signed copies, on the owner within 60 days after first furnishing labor or materials. Laborers and mechanics employed by a contractor, claimants who contract directly with the owner, wholly residential projects of more than four units, and any project with nonresidential parts are exempt from the notice.2 Wis. Stat. 779.02(1), (2)(a)-(c)
How long is a mechanics lien good for in Wisconsin?
The claimant must file a summons and complaint to enforce the lien within 2 years after the date the claim for lien was filed, or no action can be maintained.1 Wis. Stat. 779.06(1)
Who can file a mechanics lien in Wisconsin?
Anyone who performs, furnishes or procures work, labor, services, materials, plans or specifications used for improving land, and who complies with the notice rules in 779.02, has a lien on all of the owner's interests in the land, including contiguous land (only the platted lots where the work sits if the work is wholly on platted lots). Labor includes wages and related contributions for workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and fringe benefits.3 Wis. Stat. 779.01(2)(am), (3)
Does a Wisconsin lien claim have to be notarized?
The claim for lien is signed by the claimant or its attorney and does not have to be verified or notarized.1 Wis. Stat. 779.06(3)
What about public jobs in Wisconsin?
Public work contracts of $10,000 or more must require the prime contractor to pay all claims for labor and materials. A payment and performance bond is required on state contracts over $369,000 and, subject to the exceptions in the statute, on local government contracts over $74,000. A subcontractor, supplier or service provider can sue the prime contractor and surety on the bond no later than one year after completion of the work, and generally must serve the prime contractor with written notice within 60 days after first furnishing labor or materials.4 Wis. Stat. 779.14(1e), (1m)(c)-(d), (2)
Sources
- Wis. Stat. 779.06(1)-(3) (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, 2026-10-27)
- Wis. Stat. 779.02(1), (2)(a)-(c) (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, 2026-10-27)
- Wis. Stat. 779.01(2)(am), (3) (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, 2026-10-27)
- Wis. Stat. 779.14(1e), (1m)(c)-(d), (2) (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov, 2026-10-27)