What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, a contractor must file a claim for lien with the clerk of circuit court within 6 months from the date it last performed or furnished labor, services or materials, after serving the owner a written notice of intent at least 30 days before filing. A prime contractor that contracts with the owner and uses subcontractors or suppliers must include the statutory lien notice in its written contract, or serve it within 10 days after first furnishing labor or materials if there is no written contract, or it has no lien unless it pays all of its subcontractors and suppliers in time and none of them gives notice as a lien claimant or all of them waive their lien rights. A copy of the claim must be served on the owner within 30 days after filing. An action to enforce the lien must be brought, and the summons and complaint filed, within 2 years from the date the claim was filed. A subcontractor or supplier often has different notice requirements and deadlines. This is Wis. Stat. §§ 779.06, 779.02.
| What | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Deadline to file the lien | 6 months after last labor or materials |
| Who this deadline is for | A contractor hired directly by the owner |
Source
Read the statute in the Wisconsin Statutes (Wisconsin State Legislature): docs.legis.wisconsin.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps every job’s dates, its estimate, its invoices and its payments in one record, so the date work was last performed and the amount still owed are on file when a lien deadline is counted.
Guides on this rule
- Mechanic’s Lien Deadlines by State: When to File — Mechanic’s lien filing deadlines in all 50 states and DC, when each clock starts, and the notice a statute requires before filing.
Compare this rule in every state
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The same question in other states
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