This Montana lien deadline calculator is for original contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and laborers. Enter your role, the type of project and your first and last days of work or delivery, and it shows each deadline under MCA title 71, chapter 3 with the statute section next to it.
Subs and suppliers on homes of four units or fewer get the date for the Notice of Right to Claim a Lien: 20 days after first furnishing, or 45 on a lender-funded home the owner doesn't live in. If the owner filed a notice of completion, add that date: the calculator shows both 90-day limits and marks the one that controls. If you already filed, add that date for the foreclosure deadline.
It takes about 20 seconds, and it's free. When you're ready to file, LevelSet Collections serves every owner of record and files your lien with the county clerk and recorder, in all 56 Montana counties. Liens are $199 to $500 all-inclusive.
Leave blank if you haven't filed yet. With it, we show the enforcement dates too.
Public project? You can't lien public property, but you can still get paid. Ask us how. We get contractors, subs and suppliers paid on public work across the country through Freedom of Information Act and state public-records requests for the contract and payment bond, and Miller Act and state Little Miller Act bond claims. Call or text (469) 694-8003.
What sinks Montana liens
- Sending the 20-day notice but never recording it within 5 business days.
- Letting the recorded notice lapse after a year on a long job.
- Sending the notice late and assuming it covers the whole contract.
- Filing without a certification of service on every owner of record.
- Leaving out the declaration that the notice was given, or why it wasn't required.
- Filing before substantial furnishing, which makes the lien ineffective.
Every deadline above comes from MCA title 71, chapter 3. For the full rules, read the Montana mechanics lien filing guide →
- Montana mechanics lien filing
- Lien deadlines by state
- Mechanics lien filing in all 18 states
- Construction collections if your lien window has closed
Pricing and turnaround
Liens are $199 to $500, and that includes recording fees, notarizing and serving. Pre-lien notices are $100. Notices of intent are $100. Typical turnaround is 2 business days, and there's no minimum claim amount. We file in all 56 Montana counties. Collections run on contingency, 10% to 33%, with no charge if we don't collect. Call (469) 694-8003, Monday through Friday, 8am to 7pm.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a construction lien in Montana?
90 days after your final furnishing of services or materials, or 90 days after the owner files a notice of completion (MCA 71-3-535(1)). The lien is filed with the county clerk and recorder where the property sits.
What is a Notice of Right to Claim a Lien?
Montana's preliminary notice. Non-exempt claimants give it to the owner within 20 days after first furnishing (45 days on lender-funded jobs that aren't owner-occupied homes), then record it with the county clerk and recorder within 5 business days. It lasts one year unless continued (MCA 71-3-531).
Who doesn't need a Notice of Right to Claim a Lien?
Original contractors in direct contract with the owner, wage earners doing their own labor, and anyone working on a dwelling for five or more families or an improvement that is partly or wholly commercial (MCA 71-3-531(1)).
What if I sent my notice late?
The lien isn't lost, but it only covers services and materials furnished within the 20 days before the notice was given (45 days on lender-funded jobs). Anything earlier is outside the lien (MCA 71-3-531).
How long does a Montana lien last?
Two years. An action to foreclose must be started within 2 years from the date the lien was filed (MCA 71-3-562).
This page is general information, not legal advice. LevelSet Collections is not a law firm; we prepare and file liens and notices as agent for the claimant. Deadlines change and depend on the facts of your job. We'll check your dates against the statute before filing.
Inside your deadline?
Liens $199 to $500, recording, notarizing and serving included. Usually filed in 2 business days. Call (469) 694-8003.
