A contractor or materialman who provides labor or materials to a construction or renovation project can file a mechanic's lien. Mechanic's liens can only be filed against privately owned property (or a publicly owned project used for a private purpose). Public projects are subject to bond laws.
The mechanic's lien must be filed within 120 days from the last day that the contractor or materialman supplied labor or materials to the project. A copy of the lien statement must be served personally or by certified mail on the property owner, the owner's agent or the person with whom the contractor entered into the contract for the improvements.