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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 Rhode Island's mechanic's lien laws to help you protect your right to payment.
Must send a Notice of Possible Mechanic's Lien anytime before commencing work
Not required
Not required
Not required
Not required
Not required
Must mail and record within 200 days of providing labor or materials
Must mail and record within 200 days of providing labor or materials
Must mail and record within 200 days of providing labor
Within 40 days after recording the Notice of Intention
Within 40 days after recording the Notice of Intention
Within 40 days after recording the Notice of Intention
Unpaid contract balance for labor, materials, and equipment furnished
Unpaid value of labor, materials, or equipment furnished
Unpaid value of performed work
Mechanic's lien rights in Rhode Island are governed by R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-1 through § 34-28-36 and apply only to private construction projects. (Public projects cannot be liened; payment protection is provided through a claim against the project's payment bond under R.I. Gen Laws § 34-28-30.)
Rhode Island's lien system centers on one critical concept: understanding the Notice of Intention. This document isn't a pre-lien requirement; it's what the state calls the mechanic's lien document itself. Once it's mailed and recorded, your lien is perfected, and every subsequent deadline ties back to that filing. Missing any of them can erase your claim.
In other words, the process leaves no room for error, so let's get into it.
In Rhode Island, mechanic’s lien rights extend to:
- General (original) contractors
- Subcontractors and lower-tier contractors
- Material suppliers and equipment lessors
- Laborers and tradespeople
- Design professionals, including architects and engineers, and their direct subcontractors
Rhode Island liens cover qualifying contributions to the “construction, erection, alteration, or reparation” of a private improvement made at the request of, or with the consent of, the owner. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-1—§ 34-28-3.1)
Here are some examples of what’s considered lienable work and what isn’t.
Lienable Work in Rhode Island
- Labor performed in the construction, alteration, or repair of a private improvement
- Materials or supplies incorporated into the improvement
- Equipment rented or leased for use on the project site
- Design or engineering services that are used in the construction or alteration of the improvement
- Excavation and other preparatory work tied to construction
Non-Lienable Work in Rhode Island
- Work performed on public projects
- Work done without the required request or consent of the owner or a legally relevant party
- Administrative or purely off-site services not tied to furnishing labor or materials
- Materials or equipment not actually used in the improvement
- Routine maintenance or warranty work after completion
Before filing a lien in Rhode Island, make sure you’ve met any notice or preliminary requirements that apply to your role (looking at you, GCs—see table above).
Deadline to File
All lien claimants must mail and record a Notice of Intention within 200 days after furnishing labor or materials. This filing both creates and perfects the lien under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-4.
Filing Requirements
- Filing location: Record the Notice of Intention in the land-evidence records of the city or town where the property lies.
- Form requirements: The Notice of Intention must include:
- The owner or tenant’s name and address
- A general property description sufficient to identify it
- A general description of the work performed or materials furnished
- The name and address of the party for whom the work was performed
- The name and address of the lien claimant
- The approximate value of the work or materials as of the notice date
- A sworn statement that payment has not been received
- The name(s) of individuals authorized to act on behalf of the claimant
- Verification: Lien must be executed under oath and notarized.
- Filing fee: $8 per notice, plus any local recording surcharges, if applicable.
Service Requirements
The Notice of Intention must be mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner or tenant before or within the same 200-day window. Returned mail must be re-filed within 30 days (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-4).
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 Rhode Island.
Enforcement Requirements
- Enforcement deadline: Within 40 days after recording the Notice of Intention, you must record a Notice of Lis Pendens and file a Complaint to Enforce the same day, or within 7 days after recording the lis pendens (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-10).
- Filing location: Superior Court in the county where the property is located.
- Lien priority: All valid lienors share pro rata sales from proceeds, meaning each claimant is paid in proportion to their lien amount. Your place in line is determined against other claims or mortgages set by the date your lien was recorded.
Lien Release Requirements
Once the claim is paid or otherwise resolved, the lien claimant should record a written release or satisfaction of the lien in the same land evidence records where the lien was recorded.
- 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.
Yes. Rhode Island’s lien statutes do not condition lien rights on contractor licensing. However, unlicensed work that violates other state laws (like those enforced by the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board) can create separate penalties or defenses that may affect payment collection or enforcement in court.
No, Rhode Island’s lien deadlines are fixed by statute.
Rhode Island does not require a separate pre-lien “notice of intent to lien.” Instead, Rhode Island uses a single document—the Notice of Intention—to create and perfect a mechanic’s lien.
It depends on your role. Most parties who contract directly with the owner (other than material suppliers) must provide a Notice of Possible Mechanic’s Lien before starting work or delivering materials. This typically applies to general contractors.
Subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers are not required to send this notice.
If a GC (or other direct contractor, except material suppliers) doesn’t give this notice, they generally can’t claim a mechanic’s lien under this chapter, although the failure does not affect lower-tier lien rights.
There is no statutory lien waiver form in Rhode Island, so parties are free to use any format they choose. To ensure compliance, brush up on the specifics in our Rhode Island lien waiver guide before your next project.
You can lien for the unpaid contract balance for lienable labor, materials, and equipment supplied to the project (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-28-1, 34-28-3.1).
But you typically can’t include:
- attorney’s fees or interest (unless later awarded by the court), or
- administrative, delay, or consequential damages.
No. Oral or implied contracts are also considered valid, but written agreements remain best practice as they make proving the scope, value, and timing of work far easier if the lien is challenged.
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.