Rhode Island Mechanic Lien Law: Complete Guide
Your Complete Guide to Mechanic Lien Rights Under R.I. Gen. Laws §34-28-1 et seq. — Private Works, Notice of Intention & Public Project Bond Claims
Rhode Island mechanic lien deadline table with toggles for project type and claimant type.
Rhode Island 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
Mail the Notice of Intention to the owner and record it in the land evidence records of the city or town where the property is located within 200 days after the claimant's last furnishing of labor or materials. Best practice: record the Notice of Intention at the start of the project.
Mandatory for all claimants, including prime contractors, to preserve lien rights.
Record the Notice of Lien in the land evidence records within 40 days after the Notice of Intention is recorded. A copy must be served on the owner within the same window.
Commence action within 40 days after recording the Notice of Lien.
Preliminary Notice
Mail the Notice of Intention to the owner and record it in the land evidence records of the city or town where the property is located within 200 days after the claimant's last furnishing of labor or materials. Best practice: record the Notice of Intention at the start of the project.
Mandatory for all claimants, including prime contractors, to preserve lien rights.
Mechanic Lien
Record the Notice of Lien in the land evidence records within 40 days after the Notice of Intention is recorded. A copy must be served on the owner within the same window.
Enforcement
Commence action within 40 days after recording the Notice of Lien.
Rhode Island private project deadlines
Prime Contractor
Preliminary Notice: Mail the Notice of Intention to the owner and record it in the land evidence records of the city or town where the property is located within 200 days after the claimant's last furnishing of labor or materials. Best practice: record the Notice of Intention at the start of the project. Mandatory for all claimants, including prime contractors, to preserve lien rights.
Mechanic Lien: Record the Notice of Lien in the land evidence records within 40 days after the Notice of Intention is recorded. A copy must be served on the owner within the same window.
Enforcement: Commence action within 40 days after recording the Notice of Lien.
Subcontractors & Suppliers
Preliminary Notice: Mail the Notice of Intention to the owner and record it in the land evidence records of the city or town where the property is located within 200 days after the claimant's last furnishing of labor or materials. Best practice: record the Notice of Intention at the start of the project. Mandatory for all claimants to preserve lien rights.
Mechanic Lien: Record the Notice of Lien in the land evidence records within 40 days after the Notice of Intention is recorded. A copy must be served on the owner within the same window.
Enforcement: Commence action within 40 days after recording the Notice of Lien.
Remote Claimants
Preliminary Notice: Mail the Notice of Intention to the owner and record it in the land evidence records of the city or town where the property is located within 200 days after the claimant's last furnishing of labor or materials. Best practice: record the Notice of Intention at the start of the project. Mandatory for remote claimants to preserve lien rights.
Mechanic Lien: Record the Notice of Lien in the land evidence records within 40 days after the Notice of Intention is recorded. A copy must be served on the owner within the same window.
Enforcement: Commence action within 40 days after recording the Notice of Lien.
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. Prime contractors pursue payment through contract remedies.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: Not applicable. Contract remedies against the public owner, subject to any applicable notice-of-claim and limitations periods.
Subcontractors & Suppliers
Preliminary Notice: Not required for first-tier subcontractors or suppliers in direct contract with the prime contractor.
Bond Claim: Not applicable. Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property in Rhode Island. Payment rights run through the payment bond.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: Within 1 year after completion and final settlement of the public project.
Remote Claimants
Preliminary Notice: Serve written notice on the prime contractor within 90 days of last furnishing.
Bond Claim: Not applicable. Mechanic liens cannot attach to public property in Rhode Island. Payment rights run through the payment bond.
Lawsuit to Enforce Bond Claim: Within 1 year after completion and final settlement of the public project.
Rhode Island Mechanic Lien Law Overview
Last updated April 2026 · Reviewed by Thomas Emalfarb, Esq.
Rhode Island construction mechanic lien rights are governed by R.I. Gen. Laws §34-28-1 et seq. This statute 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 Rhode Island. The law establishes specific notice and filing requirements that must be followed to perfect a valid mechanic lien.
General contractors in Rhode Island are not required to serve a preliminary notice to preserve their mechanic lien rights. Subcontractors and material suppliers, however, must serve a notice to the property owner within 60 days of first furnishing labor or materials. This notice ensures the owner is aware of all parties contributing to the project who may assert mechanic lien rights.
Rhode Island uses a Notice of Intention to file a mechanic lien, which must be recorded within 120 days of completion for commercial projects or within 200 days of completion for residential projects. These deadlines apply to all claimants, including general contractors. The enforcement deadline is notably short — suit must be commenced within 40 days of filing the Notice of Intention.
For public works projects, R.I. Gen. Laws §37-12-1 governs bond claims. Claimants must provide notice within 90 days of last furnishing, and suit must be commenced within 1 year after the final settlement of the prime contract. National Lien & Bond provides attorney-network compliance and recovery services to help Rhode Island construction professionals navigate these strict deadlines.
Topics on This Page
Rhode Island Mechanic Lien Law: Key Topics
Navigate the critical compliance areas for Rhode Island construction mechanic lien law.
Notice Requirements
Notice to owner within 60 days of first furnishing for subs/suppliers; no preliminary notice required for general contractors
Mechanic Lien Deadlines
Notice of Intention within 120 days of completion (commercial) or 200 days (residential) for all claimants
Mechanic Lien Enforcement Deadlines
Suit within 40 days of filing Notice of Intention; public works bond suit within 1 year after final settlement
Frequently Asked Questions
What statute governs mechanic liens in Rhode Island?
Mechanic's liens are governed by R.I. Gen. Laws §34-28-1 et seq. Public works bond claims are governed by R.I. Gen. Laws §37-12-1.
Is a preliminary notice required to file a mechanic lien in Rhode Island?
General contractors are not required to serve a preliminary notice. Subcontractors and suppliers must serve notice to the owner within 60 days of first furnishing labor or materials.
What is the deadline to file a mechanic lien in Rhode Island?
A Notice of Intention must be recorded within 120 days of completion for commercial projects or within 200 days of completion for residential projects.
How does Rhode Island mechanic lien law differ from other states?
Rhode Island has one of the shortest enforcement deadlines in the nation — only 40 days from filing the Notice of Intention. It also distinguishes between commercial (120-day) and residential (200-day) mechanic lien filing deadlines.
What are the notice requirements for Rhode Island public works bond claims?
Claimants must provide notice within 90 days of last furnishing. Suit must be commenced within 1 year after final settlement of the prime contract under R.I. Gen. Laws §37-12-1.
What is the deadline to file suit to enforce a Rhode Island construction mechanic lien?
Suit must be commenced within 40 days after filing the Notice of Intention. For public works bond claims, suit must be filed within 1 year after final settlement.