Vermont counts its deadline from when payment came due for your last work, not from the last day you worked. You have 180 days to record a notice of lien with the town clerk, and then another 180 days to sue and attach the property.
Quick answer: Record a signed notice of lien with the town clerk within 180 days after payment came due for your last labor or materials. Subs and suppliers must also give the owner written notice that they'll claim a lien. Then sue and attach the property within 180 days.
Vermont lien deadlines at a glance
| Step | Who | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Notice to owner | Subs and suppliers | No fixed deadline; send early |
| Record notice of lien | Everyone | 180 days after payment came due for the last labor or materials |
| Suit + attachment | Everyone | 180 days after recording (or after payment comes due, if later) |
| Record judgment | Everyone | 5 months after judgment |
Who can file a lien in Vermont
Anyone who contracts with the owner to build, repair or alter improvements, or to furnish labor or materials, has a lien. Subs, sub-subs and suppliers hired by the owner's contractor or sub also have one, but only after giving the owner written notice.
Notices before the lien
Subs and suppliers must give the owner written notice that they'll claim a lien. There's no deadline, but the lien only covers the unpaid contract balance the owner still owes when the notice arrives. Send it early.
Filing the lien
Record a signed written notice (memorandum) of lien with the town clerk where the property sits within 180 days after payment came due for your last labor or materials. Vermont doesn't require mailing the owner a copy, but it's smart to send one to the owner and GC anyway.
Residential jobs
Vermont has no separate residential rules, and the lien law applies to homestead property.
After you file
Within 180 days you must both file suit and get a writ of attachment on the property. After judgment, record a certified copy with the town clerk within 5 months. Lien rights can't be waived in advance in Vermont.
Mistakes that cost Vermont contractors their lien
- Filing suit but not getting the attachment within the 180-day window.
- A sub never sending the owner notice, or sending it after the owner paid the GC in full.
- Missing the 5-month deadline to record the judgment.
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 Vermont liens, usually in about 2 business days. Start a lien →
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a lien in Vermont?
180 days after payment came due for your last labor or materials. The notice of lien is recorded with the town clerk.
Do subcontractors need to notify the owner in Vermont?
Yes. Subs and suppliers must give the owner written notice that they'll claim a lien, and the lien is capped at what the owner still owes when the notice arrives.
How long does a Vermont lien last?
You must sue and attach the property within 180 days after recording, or after payment comes due if that's later.
This article is general information, not legal advice. LevelSet Collections is not a law firm. Deadlines are based on 9 V.S.A. §§ 1921-1928 as of October 2026, and lien laws change. Confirm your dates for your specific job. Sources: 9 V.S.A. § 1921, 9 V.S.A. § 1923, 9 V.S.A. § 1924.
Owed money on a Vermont job?
Liens from $199, filed in about 2 business days. Call (469) 694-8003.
