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A mechanic's lien is a legal document used by contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers to secure payment for work completed on a construction project. Filing a mechanic's lien essentially states that:
- You're owed money for services provided
- You're expecting payment by a specific date
- You'll proceed with litigation if you don't receive payment by that date
While a lien is in place, it restricts the owner from selling, refinancing, or transferring the property without paying you. That pressure makes liens one of the most powerful payment tools available—especially for subcontractors and suppliers.
Mechanic's lien laws vary significantly by state, with different rules governing who can file a lien, what notices are required, and timelines for filing and enforcement. This guide covers the essentials of Connecticut's mechanic's lien laws to help you protect your right to payment.
Not required
Not required
Not required
Not required
Within 90 days after last day of work/materials delivered, but at least 15 days before filing a lien
Within 90 days after last day of work, but at least 15 days before filing a lien
Within 90 days after last day of work
Within 90 days after last day of work/materials delivered
Within 90 days after last day of work
Within 1 year after lien filing
Within 1 year after lien filing
Within 1 year after lien filing
Unpaid amounts for work or materials furnished
Unpaid amounts for work or materials furnished
Unpaid amount for labor
Connecticut takes an inclusive approach to lien rights: any laborer with a claim of more than $10 for materials or services can file a mechanic's lien as long as they comply with timing and notice requirements.
However, these rights are limited to private projects, which are governed by Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 847 §49-33 through §49-41. Construction contractors or suppliers of any role can't claim mechanic's liens on public property in the state. For public projects exceeding $100,000, the original contractor must provide surety bonds in the contracted amount.
Let's break down the rules for private projects.
In Connecticut, mechanic’s lien rights extend to:
- General (original) contractors
- Subcontractors and lower-tier subcontractors
- Material suppliers and vendors
- Laborers and workers
- Architects and design professionals who prepare drawings and supervise work
- Equipment suppliers and machinery providers
- Anyone else who performs work or furnishes materials constituting an improvement to real property
To be eligible for a mechanic's lien in Connecticut, the value of labor, materials, or services must exceed $10 and constitute the “construction, raising, removal, or repairs” of any building or “the improvement” of any lot or plot of land.
Here are examples of what’s considered lienable and what isn’t.
Lienable Work in Connecticut
- Clearing, grading, excavating, construction, repairs, and alterations
- Architect drafts used to obtain permits for construction or real property improvements
- Rental equipment used on the project
- Labor, materials, or services provided that enhance the property
Non-Lienable Work in Connecticut
- Surveying and zoning services
- Cleaning and trash removal services
- Landscaping and gardening
- Pest control services
- Work on public property (must pursue bond claims for projects over $100,000 instead)
Filing a mechanic’s lien in Connecticut is fairly straightforward, but the steps differ slightly depending on your role. GCs can typically proceed directly to recording the lien. Subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers, however, must first send a written Notice of Intent to lien before filing a mechanic’s lien, or they’ll lose their lien rights (see table above).
Deadline to File
Regardless of role, all claimants must file a Certificate of Lien within 90 days after the last day of work or the last day that materials were delivered.
Filing Requirements
- Filing location: File a Certificate of Lien in the town clerk’s office where the property is located.
- Form requirements: Connecticut doesn’t provide a statutory Certificate of Lien, but it must include:
- The claimant’s name and address
- The property owner’s name and address
- A general description of the property (street address or location of plot of land)
- The lien amount
- Verification: The Certificate of Mechanic’s Lien must be notarized.
- Filing fee: Varies by county
Service Requirements
After recording the Certificate of Lien, a copy must be served to the property owner. Service is typically made by a proper officer (e.g., a state marshall or sheriff), certified mail, or another method permitted under Connecticut law. Failure to properly serve a lien can jeopardize its enforceability (Conn. Gen. Stat. §49-34).
After filing a mechanic’s lien in Connecticut, you may need to take additional steps to enforce it throughout the court system.
Enforcement Requirements
- Enforcement deadline: Within 1 year after the lien was recorded
- Filing location: Superior court in the judicial district in which the property is based
- Lien priority: Connecticut mechanic’s liens generally take priority over interests that attach to the property after work begins. Priority disputes—such as between multiple lien claimants or between a lien and a mortgage—are resolved by the court during foreclosure based on timing and statutory rules.
Lien Release Requirements
Once the lien is paid (or otherwise resolved), the claimant must record a written release or satisfaction of lien in the same town clerk’s office where the Certificate of Lien was recorded, per Conn. Gen. Stat. §49-39.
- Unified workflow: Manage lien rights within your billing and collections workflow to keep payment context in one place.
- Automated compliance: Automatically track critical deadlines and milestones based on each state's lien laws.
- Meaningful visibility: View the lien protection status for each project to identify and mitigate risk.
- Document creation: Generate state-specific lien notices instantly using existing project data
- Integrated delivery: Send notices via certified mail directly from Siteline to streamline delivery.
While there’s technically no statutory stipulation in Connecticut construction laws barring an unlicensed contractor from claiming a mechanic’s lien in the state, the Connecticut Home Improvement Act counters this. This act states that construction contractors must be licensed to enforce a mechanic’s lien.
Yes. In Connecticut, subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers who provide labor or materials valued at more than $10 can claim a mechanic’s lien, even if they don’t have a direct contract with the property owner.
No. Connecticut’s mechanic’s lien deadlines are fixed by statute and generally cannot be shortened by contract or owner action.
Yes, if you don’t have a direct contract with the property owner. Subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers must send a written Notice of Intent to lien before recording a Connecticut mechanic’s lien. The notice must be delivered within 90 days after the last date of performed work or delivered materials and at least 15 days before filing the lien. Missing this step invalidates the lien.
While not required, a GC may file a written affidavit with the town clerk within 15 days of starting work. The affidavit identifies the contractor and the project. If one is filed, lower-tier parties must deliver their Notice of Intent to both the property owner and the general contractor to preserve lien rights.
No parties are required to provide a preliminary notice for Connecticut mechanic’s liens.
There’s no specific lien waiver form to fill out in Connecticut. Clearly state the amount being waived and the applicable property for work performed. For more information, review Connecticut lien waiver information here.
Connecticut generally limits mechanic’s liens to the unpaid balance owed up the contract chain, particularly for subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers. In other words, lower-tier claimants can usually only lien for amounts the property owner still owes the GC at the time the lien is asserted. GC, by contrast, may lien for the value of labor and materials furnished under their direct contract with the owner (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 49-33, 49-36).
You can typically include amounts for:
- Labor and wages for work actually performed on the project
- Materials and supplies furnished and incorporated into the improvement
You generally cannot include:
- Anticipated or unearned profits
- Consequential or delay damages
- Attorney’s fees, interest, or collection costs (unless later awarded by a court)
No, a written contract isn’t necessary to file your Connecticut mechanic’s lien. That said, it’s always the safer bet to have a written contract as it can help substantiate your lien claim in court.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a qualified construction attorney in your state regarding specific legal matters before taking any action that could affect your lien rights.