New Hampshire Mechanic Lien Law: Complete Guide
Your Complete Guide to Mechanic Lien Rights Under N.H. RSA §447:1 et seq. — Private Works, Attachment Mechanic Liens & Public Project Bond Claims
New Hampshire mechanic lien deadline table with toggles for project type and claimant type.
New Hampshire 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
Secure a writ of attachment from the court within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials.
New Hampshire does not use a recorded lien claim. The lien is perfected through a court-issued attachment.
The mechanic's lien expires 120 days after last furnishing of labor or materials unless secured by a writ of attachment. To perfect the lien, the claimant must commence a civil action and obtain a writ of attachment from the court within that same 120-day window. The underlying collection action then proceeds to judgment under the 3-year contract statute of limitations.
Preliminary Notice
Mechanic Lien
Secure a writ of attachment from the court within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials.
New Hampshire does not use a recorded lien claim. The lien is perfected through a court-issued attachment.
Enforcement
The mechanic's lien expires 120 days after last furnishing of labor or materials unless secured by a writ of attachment. To perfect the lien, the claimant must commence a civil action and obtain a writ of attachment from the court within that same 120-day window. The underlying collection action then proceeds to judgment under the 3-year contract statute of limitations.
New Hampshire private project deadlines
Prime Contractor
Preliminary Notice: Not required. A prime contractor in direct contract with the owner is not required to serve a Notice of Lien to preserve lien rights.
Mechanic Lien: Secure a writ of attachment from the court within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials. New Hampshire does not use a recorded lien claim. The lien is perfected through a court-issued attachment.
Enforcement: The mechanic's lien expires 120 days after last furnishing of labor or materials unless secured by a writ of attachment. To perfect the lien, the claimant must commence a civil action and obtain a writ of attachment from the court within that same 120-day window. The underlying collection action then proceeds to judgment under the 3-year contract statute of limitations.
Subcontractors & Suppliers
Preliminary Notice: Serve a written Notice of Lien on the owner before performing labor, or in writing before furnishing materials. Required for any claimant not in direct contract with the owner. The Notice of Lien preserves lien rights against the owner; without it, the lien is limited to amounts the owner owes the prime contractor at the time notice is given.
Mechanic Lien: Secure a writ of attachment from the court within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials. New Hampshire does not use a recorded lien claim. The lien is perfected through a court-issued attachment.
Enforcement: The mechanic's lien expires 120 days after last furnishing of labor or materials unless secured by a writ of attachment. To perfect the lien, the claimant must commence a civil action and obtain a writ of attachment from the court within that same 120-day window. The underlying collection action then proceeds to judgment under the 3-year contract statute of limitations.
Remote Claimants
Preliminary Notice: Serve a written Notice of Lien on the owner before performing labor, or in writing before furnishing materials. Required for any claimant not in direct contract with the owner. Best practice is to serve the Notice of Lien at the start of involvement on the project, before any labor is performed or materials are delivered.
Mechanic Lien: Secure a writ of attachment from the court within 120 days after last furnishing labor or materials. New Hampshire does not use a recorded lien claim. The lien is perfected through a court-issued attachment.
Enforcement: The mechanic's lien expires 120 days after last furnishing of labor or materials unless secured by a writ of attachment. To perfect the lien, the claimant must commence a civil action and obtain a writ of attachment from the court within that same 120-day window. The underlying collection action then proceeds to judgment under the 3-year contract statute of limitations.
New Hampshire public works deadlines
Prime Contractor
Preliminary Notice: Not applicable. The prime contractor is the principal on the payment bond and pursues payment through contract remedies, not a bond claim.
Bond Claim: Not applicable. Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property in New Hampshire. Prime contractors pursue payment through contract remedies.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: Contract remedies against the public body, subject to any applicable notice-of-claim and limitations periods.
Subcontractors & Suppliers
Preliminary Notice: Not required. First-tier subcontractors and suppliers in direct contract with the prime contractor are not required to serve a preliminary notice to preserve bond rights.
Bond Claim: File a written statement of claim with the treasurer of the public body within 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials. Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property; payment rights run through the payment bond.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: Commence suit on the payment bond within 1 year after completion and acceptance of the public project.
Remote Claimants
Preliminary Notice: Not required to preserve bond rights, but best practice is to notify the prime contractor at the start of furnishing to document the claim.
Bond Claim: File a written statement of claim with the treasurer of the public body within 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials. Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property; payment rights run through the payment bond.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: Commence suit on the payment bond within 1 year after completion and acceptance of the public project.
New Hampshire Mechanic Lien Law Overview
Last updated April 2026 · Reviewed by Thomas Emalfarb, Esq.
New Hampshire construction mechanic lien rights are governed by N.H. RSA §447:1 et seq. This statutory framework provides mechanic's lien rights to contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers who furnish labor or materials for the improvement of real property in the State of New Hampshire. New Hampshire uses an attachment mechanic lien system that differs from the traditional mechanic lien recording process used in most other states.
New Hampshire does not require general contractors to serve a preliminary notice before filing a mechanic lien. However, subcontractors and suppliers who do not have a direct written contract with the property owner must provide written notice to the owner within 15 days of commencing work. This notice ensures the owner is aware of all parties furnishing labor or materials to the project.
All claimants must perfect their mechanic lien by filing an attachment mechanic lien within 120 days of the date of last furnishing labor or materials. The attachment mechanic lien serves as both the mechanic lien claim and the enforcement mechanism, requiring the claimant to file suit within the same 120-day period. This combined filing and enforcement deadline is one of the most compressed timelines in the country.
For public works projects, N.H. RSA §447:16 governs bond claims. Claimants must provide bond claim notice within 90 days of last furnishing, and suit must be filed between 60 days and 1 year after last furnishing. National Lien & Bond provides attorney-network compliance and recovery services to help New Hampshire construction professionals protect their payment rights.
Topics on This Page
New Hampshire Mechanic Lien Law: Key Topics
Navigate the critical compliance areas for New Hampshire construction mechanic lien law.
Notice Requirements
No preliminary notice for general contractors; subcontractors/suppliers without a written contract with the owner must notify owner within 15 days of commencing work
Mechanic Lien Deadlines
Attachment mechanic lien within 120 days of last furnishing for all claimants under N.H. RSA §447:1 et seq.
Mechanic Lien Enforcement Deadlines
Suit within the 120-day attachment period; public works bond claims between 60 days and 1 year after last furnishing
Frequently Asked Questions
What statute governs mechanic liens in New Hampshire?
Mechanic's liens in New Hampshire are governed by N.H. RSA §447:1 et seq. Public works bond claims are governed by N.H. RSA §447:16.
Is a preliminary notice required to file a mechanic lien in New Hampshire?
General contractors do not need a preliminary notice. Subcontractors and suppliers without a direct written contract with the owner must provide notice within 15 days of commencing work.
What is the deadline to file a mechanic lien in New Hampshire?
All claimants must file an attachment mechanic lien within 120 days of the date of last furnishing labor or materials under N.H. RSA §447:1 et seq.
How does New Hampshire mechanic lien law differ from other states?
New Hampshire uses an attachment mechanic lien system that combines the filing and enforcement deadlines into a single 120-day window. Subcontractors must notify the owner within 15 days if they lack a direct written contract with the owner.
What are the notice requirements for New Hampshire public works bond claims?
Claimants must provide written bond claim notice within 90 days of last furnishing labor or materials. Suit must be filed between 60 days and 1 year after last furnishing under N.H. RSA §447:16.
What is the deadline to file suit to enforce a New Hampshire construction mechanic lien?
Suit must be commenced within the 120-day attachment period from last furnishing. For public works bond claims, suit must be filed between 60 days and 1 year after last furnishing.