Michigan's Construction Lien Act runs on four numbers: 20, 90, 15 and 1. Twenty days to send a Notice of Furnishing, 90 days to record your claim of lien, 15 days to serve it, and 1 year to foreclose. Most failed Michigan liens trace back to the first one.
Quick answer: Subs and suppliers serve a Notice of Furnishing within 20 days of first furnishing. Everyone records the claim of lien with the register of deeds within 90 days of last furnishing, serves it within 15 days after recording, and files foreclosure within 1 year.
Michigan lien deadlines at a glance
| Step | Who | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of Furnishing | Subs and suppliers (not contractors hired by the owner) | 20 days after first furnishing |
| Claim of lien | Everyone | 90 days after last furnishing |
| Serve claim of lien | Everyone | 15 days after recording |
| Foreclosure suit + lis pendens | Everyone | 1 year after recording |
Who can file a lien in Michigan
Contractors, subcontractors (including sub-subs), suppliers and laborers can lien. Equipment rented to a contractor or sub counts as a supply. A supplier to a supplier doesn't qualify. Since 2018, architects, engineers and surveyors can lien even if construction never starts, if they record a Notice of Professional Services.
Notices before the lien
On commercial jobs the owner records a Notice of Commencement before work starts. Subs and suppliers must serve a Notice of Furnishing on the designee and GC named in it within 20 days after first furnishing, personally or by certified mail. Laborers have 30 days after wages were due.
A late notice doesn't kill the lien, but it's reduced by whatever the owner already paid on sworn statements or waivers before your notice arrived. If the owner never recorded the NOC or ignored your certified-mail request for it, the 20 days run from when it's actually provided.
Filing the lien
Record the claim of lien with the county register of deeds within 90 days after your last day of furnishing labor or material. Subs and suppliers must attach proof that they served the Notice of Furnishing.
Residential jobs
For owner-occupied homes of 1-2 units, no Notice of Commencement is recorded. The owner must provide one within 10 days of a certified-mail request, and the 20-day notice clock waits until it's provided. If the owner shows they paid the contractor, your lien doesn't attach to that extent.
Note: the old Homeowner Construction Lien Recovery Fund was repealed in 2010. Some online guides still mention it. There is no fund to claim against.
After you file
Within 15 days after recording, serve a copy of the claim of lien on the designee (or the owner) personally or by certified mail. Foreclosure must be filed within 1 year after recording, with a lis pendens recorded when the suit is filed. If you owed the owner a sworn statement and didn't provide it, you can't enforce the lien until you do.
Mistakes that cost Michigan contractors their lien
- Skipping the 20-day Notice of Furnishing, or sending it to the owner instead of the designee and GC named in the NOC.
- Recording the lien but not serving it within 15 days, or not attaching proof of the Notice of Furnishing.
- Relying on the Homeowner Construction Lien Recovery Fund, which no longer exists.
Missed the deadline or the lien didn't pay?
The debt doesn't go away when lien rights do. The party that hired you still owes you, and we can pursue it through construction collections on contingency, 10% to 33%, with no charge if we don't collect. Here's what you can still do.
Still in your window? We prepare, file and serve Michigan liens, usually in about 2 business days. Start a lien →
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a construction lien in Michigan?
90 days after your last day of furnishing labor or materials. The deadline is the same for GCs, subs and suppliers.
What is a Notice of Furnishing in Michigan?
A notice subs and suppliers serve within 20 days of first furnishing on the designee and GC named in the Notice of Commencement. Late notice reduces your lien by what the owner already paid.
How long does a Michigan lien last?
You must file a foreclosure suit within 1 year after recording the claim of lien.
This article is general information, not legal advice. LevelSet Collections is not a law firm. Deadlines are based on the Michigan Construction Lien Act, MCL 570.1101 et seq. as of October 2026, and lien laws change. Confirm your dates for your specific job. Sources: MCL 570.1109, MCL 570.1111, MCL 570.1117.
Owed money on a Michigan job?
Liens from $199, filed in about 2 business days. Call (469) 694-8003.
