Kansas Mechanic Lien Law: Complete Guide
Your Complete Guide to Mechanic Lien Rights Under K.S.A. §60-1101 to §60-1112 — Private Works, Payment Bonds & Public Projects
Kansas mechanic lien deadline table with toggles for project type and claimant type.
Kansas Preliminary Notice & Mechanic Lien Deadlines
Select your project type and role to see the deadlines that apply to you.
Prime Contractor — In privity with the property owner
No preliminary notice is required for a prime contractor on commercial projects.
On an owner-occupied residential project, the prime contractor must provide a Warning Statement to the owner before or at the time the contract is entered into.
Record a Mechanic's Lien Statement with the clerk of the district court within 4 months after the last date of furnishing labor, equipment, materials, or supplies.
Commence a suit to foreclose the mechanic lien within 1 year after the Mechanic's Lien Statement is filed.
Preliminary Notice
No preliminary notice is required for a prime contractor on commercial projects.
On an owner-occupied residential project, the prime contractor must provide a Warning Statement to the owner before or at the time the contract is entered into.
Mechanic Lien
Record a Mechanic's Lien Statement with the clerk of the district court within 4 months after the last date of furnishing labor, equipment, materials, or supplies.
Enforcement
Commence a suit to foreclose the mechanic lien within 1 year after the Mechanic's Lien Statement is filed.
Kansas Mechanic Lien Law Overview
Kansas construction mechanic lien rights are governed by Kansas General Statutes §60-1101 to §60-1112 (K.S.A.). This statutory framework protects the payment rights of general contractors, subcontractors, materialmen, and suppliers who furnish labor, equipment, materials, or supplies for the improvement of real property in the State of Kansas.
Kansas mechanic lien law distinguishes between contractors and subcontractors with different filing deadlines and notice requirements. Contractors must record a Contractor's Mechanic Lien Statement within 4 months after last performance, while subcontractors and material suppliers must record a Subcontractor's Mechanic Lien Statement within 3 months after last performance. Both deadlines may be extended by one additional month on non-residential property if a proper statutory extension is filed within the original filing period.
A critical feature of Kansas mechanic lien law is the residential warning statement requirement under K.S.A. §60-1103a. Subcontractors and material suppliers seeking to mechanic lien residential property must mail a warning statement to the property owner before performance, or possess a signed acknowledgment from the owner. This warning statement is not required if the claimant's total claim does not exceed $250.
Kansas also provides payment bond claim procedures for public works projects under K.S.A. §60-1110 to §60-1112, requiring a minimum payment bond of 100% of the contract amount. National Lien & Bond provides authoritative guidance on every aspect of Kansas construction mechanic lien compliance.
Topics on This Page
Kansas Mechanic Lien Law: Key Topics
Navigate the critical compliance areas for Kansas construction mechanic lien law.
Notice Requirements
Statutory notice obligations including residential warning statements and Notice of Intent to Perform under Kansas law
Mechanic Lien Deadlines
Contractor and Subcontractor Mechanic Lien Statement filing requirements, 4-month and 3-month deadlines, and statutory extensions
Mechanic Lien Enforcement Deadlines
1-year suit deadline, public works bond claim enforcement within 6 months of project completion, and statutory requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What statute governs mechanic liens in Kansas?
Mechanic liens on private construction projects in Kansas are governed by Kansas General Statutes K.S.A. §60-1101 to §60-1112. Public works payment bond claims are also governed by K.S.A. §60-1110 to §60-1112, which require a minimum 100% payment bond.
Is a preliminary notice required to file a mechanic lien in Kansas?
For general contractors, no preliminary notice is required. For subcontractors and material suppliers on residential projects, a warning statement must be mailed to the property owner before performance under K.S.A. §60-1103a. The warning statement is not required if the claim does not exceed $250.
What is the deadline to file a mechanic lien in Kansas?
Contractors must record a Contractor's Mechanic Lien Statement within 4 months after last performance (extendable to 5 months on non-residential property). Subcontractors must record within 3 months (extendable to 5 months on non-residential property). K.S.A. §60-1102 and §60-1103.
How does Kansas mechanic lien law differ from other states?
Kansas is notable for several features: separate filing deadlines for contractors (4 months) and subcontractors (3 months), a statutory extension mechanism for non-residential property, a mandatory residential warning statement for subcontractors, the ability to attach a promissory note to a mechanic lien statement, and a 100% minimum payment bond requirement on public works.
What are the notice requirements for Kansas public works bond claims?
Kansas has no special statutory provisions requiring preliminary notice or other notices as a condition of filing a bond claim on public works projects. Claimants may proceed directly to filing suit on the payment bond within 6 months after project completion under K.S.A. §60-1110.
What is the deadline to file suit on a Kansas public works payment bond?
Suit must be filed within 6 months after the completion of the project under K.S.A. §60-1110 to §60-1112. The deadline is measured from project completion, not from the claimant's last date of performance.