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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 Iowa's mechanic's lien laws to help you protect your right to payment.
Residential: Must provide owner notice and post Notice of Commencement within 10 days of starting work
Residential: Must post preliminary notice before the owner pays the GC
Commercial: If furnishing labor or materials to a subcontractor, must give a one-time written notice to GC within 30 days of first furnishing
Commercial: If furnishing labor or materials to a subcontractor, must give a one-time written notice to GC within 30 days of first furnishing
Not required
Not required
Not required
Within 90 days of last work for full coverage; can file up to 2 years and 90 days after last work, but coverage may be limited
Within 90 days of last work for full coverage; can file up to 2 years and 90 days after last work, but coverage may be limited
Within 90 days of last furnishing for full coverage; can file up to 2 years and 90 days after last furnishing, but coverage may be limited
Within 2 years and 90 days after last work—unless shortened by written demand
Within 2 years and 90 days after last work—unless shortened by written demand
Within 2 years and 90 days after last work—unless shortened by written demand
Full contract amount or unpaid balance, depending on filing date
Full contract amount or unpaid balance, depending on filing date
Full contract amount or unpaid balance, depending on filing date
Governed by Iowa Code, Title XIV, Chapter 572, Iowa mechanic's lien rights only apply to private construction projects. (Public projects cannot be liened. If you're unpaid on public work, you typically pursue payment through a payment bond claim under Iowa's public-works bonding laws.)
The main things to watch out for in Iowa are notice requirements and filing timing. Most residential projects require early notices to preserve lien rights, and some lower-tier parties on commercial jobs must send a one-time notice shortly after first furnishing. Iowa also distinguishes between liens filed within 90 days of last work and those filed later (filing late is allowed, but it can limit what the lien actually attaches to).
With that in mind, let's get into it.
In Iowa, mechanic's lien rights extend to “every person who furnishes any material or labor for, or performs any labor upon” the improvement, alteration, or repair of any private building or plot of land.
This includes:
- General (original) contractors
- Subcontractors and lower-tier subcontractors
- Material suppliers and vendors
- Laborers and workers
- Equipment suppliers and machinery providers
- Landscaping, grading, fencing, sidewalk, and similar improvement trades
To be eligible for a mechanic's lien in Iowa, your work must constitute material, labor, or services within the following categories of lienable work (Iowa Code §§ 572.1(2), 572.2).
Here are some examples of what’s considered lienable work and what isn’t.
Lienable Work in Iowa
- Improvement, alteration, or repair of buildings or plots of land
- Material or labor in the construction, repair, or equipment of railroads, canals, viaducts, or similar improvements
- Construction or repair for external or internal improvement
- Grading, sodding, nursery stock, landscaping
- Sidewalk-building and fencing on any land or lot
- Material rental to be used on the project
Non-Lienable Work in Iowa
- Work on public property
- Construction of an apartment house or building owned on a cooperative/shared basis
Before filing a lien in Iowa, make sure you’ve met any notice or preliminary requirements that apply to your role (see table above).
Deadline to File
Iowa allows mechanic’s liens to be filed within 90 days of last work for full coverage, or later—up to two years and 90 days after last work—with reduced coverage. Here’s why the timing matters:
- File within 90 days for full protection, which means you can go after any money related to the project
- File between 90 days and 2 years, and you'll need to send an extra notice to the property owner, plus you can only collect the money the owner hasn't already paid to the GC.
Filing Requirements
- Filing location: File electronically through the Secretary of State’s mechanic’s notice and lien registry website.
- Form requirements: Must submit a verified statement of account (and an additional notice to owner if filing after the 90-day deadline) that includes:
- Amount of lien claim after all credits have been given
- First furnishing/first labor date and last furnishing/last labor date
- Legal property description (address is preferred)
- Owner’s name and mailing address
- Property address or description of location
- Tax parcel identification number
- Verification: An Iowa mechanic’s lien must be verified (signed under oath).
- Filing fee: The administrator may charge posting fees; however, the posting fee for a mechanic’s lien may not exceed $40 (Iowa Code § 572.34(6)).
Service Requirements
After posting your mechanic’s lien to the registry website, the administrator will mail a copy to the owner (Iowa Code § 572.8(2)). Remember that if you post the lien after the standard 90-day deadline, you must also give the owner written notice served like an original notice.
Recording a lien preserves your rights—but enforcement is how you get paid. Here’s what you must do to ensure you enforce your lien in Iowa.
Enforcement Requirements
- Enforcement deadline: An action to enforce a mechanic’s lien must be brought within 2 years and 90 days after the last day of work or that materials were furnished. If the owner submits a written demand for the claimant to enforce their lien, this enforcement window shrinks to 30 days.
- Filing location: District court in the county where the property is located.
- Lien priority: Between mechanic’s lien claimants, priority is in the order the liens are posted to the registry. Liens posted within 90 days (and with required residential notices properly posted) are generally superior to later liens, with key exceptions for prior recorded liens and construction mortgage liens.
Lien Release Requirements
Once a lien is paid, the claimant must acknowledge that it’s been satisfied. If they don’t do so within 30 days after a written demand is personally served, the claimant has to pay the owner $25 and may also be held liable for damages (Iowa Code § 572.23).
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Iowa doesn’t require contractors to be licensed to claim a mechanic’s lien. However, it’s generally best practice to hold a license before commencing project work.
Yes, all parties on construction teams, including subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers, can file a mechanic’s lien in Iowa.
Yes, the enforcement deadline can be shortened from two years to just 30 days if the owner submits a written demand. If the claimant doesn’t take action, the lien and all associated benefits are forfeited.
No, you don’t need to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) for your Iowa mechanic’s lien.
Often, yes, especially on residential jobs.
- Residential (GCs): A GC who will use subcontractors must provide a statutory owner notice warning them that subs may file liens, as well as submit a Notice of Commencement to the owner within 10 days after work begins. If either step is missed, the GC is not entitled to a lien (Iowa Code §§ 572.13; 572.13A).
- Residential (subcontractors): Subcontractors must post a preliminary notice to the registry before their balance is paid. If they don’t, they are not entitled to a lien (Iowa Code § 572.13B(1), (4)).
- Commercial (some lower-tier contractors): If you furnish labor or materials to a subcontractor, you must give a one-time written notice to the GC within 30 days of first furnishing and be able to support the lien with a certified statement that you gave that notice (Iowa Code § 572.33).
There’s no specific lien waiver form to complete in Iowa. Clearly state the amount being waived and the applicable property for work performed. For more information, review our Iowa lien waiver guide here.
In Iowa, your lien generally covers the amount you’re owed after credits for lienable work. That includes labor, materials, supplies, and the reasonable rental value of equipment or machinery actually used on the project (Iowa Code §§ 572.8(1), 572.2(2)).
But timing matters here. If you post your lien within 90 days of the last work completed, it can cover the full amount due. If you file after 90 days, the lien may be limited to the unpaid balance still owed up the chain at the time notice is given, and on residential projects, missed or late preliminary notices can further reduce what’s enforceable (Iowa Code §§ 572.11, 572.13B(3)).
If a lien dispute ends up in court, the prevailing party may recover attorney’s fees and damages, which can significantly affect the total cost of the claim.
A written contract isn’t required to file an Iowa mechanic’s lien. That said, written contracts are still best practice for proving scope, timing, and the amount owed.
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.