Free Tool · California Mechanics Lien Law

Lien Deadline Calculator

Enter your party type and project dates. The calculator shows your preliminary notice deadline, lien recording deadline, and foreclosure deadline — with countdown status and a plain-language explanation of each.

Before you use this tool

This calculator provides general deadline estimates based on the dates you enter and standard California Civil Code §8000 et seq. rules. It is legal information, not legal advice, and does not account for every fact that could affect your deadlines, including:

Notices of Completion or Cessation you may not be aware of
Multi-phase projects where "last day of furnishing" is disputed
Public works projects (different rules apply)
Written extension agreements already in place
Whether your preliminary notice was timely and properly served

Use this tool to get oriented — then verify any deadline with a licensed attorney before acting on it. Missing a mechanics lien deadline is permanent and irreversible.

I understand this tool provides estimates only and I will verify any deadline with an attorney before acting.

Enter your project details

All fields required except the Notice of Completion section

Your role on the project

If you contracted directly with the property owner, you are a direct contractor. If you contracted with a GC or another sub, select subcontractor.

First day you furnished labor or materials

The date you first performed any work or delivered any materials to the project site. This starts your 20-day preliminary notice clock.

Last day you furnished labor or materials

The date of your last day of actual work or last materials delivery. Do not include warranty callbacks, punch-list visits, or disputed extra work — use the last undisputed furnishing date.

A Notice of Completion or Notice of Cessation was recorded by the property owner

If you are not sure, check the county recorder's website. An unrecorded NOC does not affect your deadline.

Date the Notice of Completion or Cessation was recorded

Find this on the county recorder's website. Use the recording date, not the date of project completion.

Date your mechanics lien was recorded (if already filed)

Optional. If you have already recorded a lien, enter the recording date to see your 90-day foreclosure deadline.

Your deadline summary

Verify before you act. These dates are estimates based on the information you entered. Factors not captured here — including a Notice of Completion you may not know about, the correct last furnishing date, or preliminary notice defects — could change one or more of these deadlines. Contact Bay Legal PC or another California construction attorney to confirm before taking any action.

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How California lien deadlines work

Step 1 · Days 1–20

Preliminary notice

Subcontractors and suppliers must serve a preliminary notice within 20 days of first furnishing. Direct contractors are exempt. A late notice limits lien rights to the 20 days before it was served.

Complete guide →

Step 2 · 90 or 30 days

Record the lien

Without a Notice of Completion: 90 days from last day of work. If a NOC is recorded: 60 days for direct contractors, 30 days for subs and suppliers. These are absolute cutoffs.

Filing guide →

Step 3 · 90 days from recording

Foreclose the lien

Once you record a lien, you have 90 days to file a foreclosure lawsuit or enter a written extension agreement with the owner. After 90 days the lien expires automatically — no exceptions.

Foreclosure guide →

Notice of Completion

The deadline shortener

If the property owner records a Notice of Completion within 15 days of project completion, your lien recording window shrinks dramatically. Always monitor county recorder records near project end.

All deadlines →