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1333 SE Ankeny St #101  

PO Box 14247  
Portland OR 97214  

voice: 503-238-7871  
fax: 503-238-7873  

Washington Construction Lien Claims
Action Deadline
Pre-Claim Notice

- Send notice via certified mail or personal delivery ("NORTAL")

- Send to owners and to prime contractors; not to lenders. Note there are some exceptions to when you have to send the NORTAL to the prime contractor.
NOTE: Residential: 10-days relation back; Commercial: 60-days relation back. RCW 60.04.031

Prime to Owner: Notice to Customer (plus 2 pages; see RCW 60.04.255) before starting work if: (1) Residential, 4 units or less and over $1,000; or (2) Commercial, between $1,000 and $60,000. No relation back period. RCW 18.27.114

First-Tier Subs: NORTAL only if single family dwelling or garage. RCW 60.04.031

Second-Tier or lower Subs: NORTAL on all projects. RCW 60.04.031

Material/Equipment: NORTAL on all projects unless hired by owner. RCW 60.04.031
Claim
- Record construction lien claim with recorder in county where structure is located
Record within 90 days of the claimant's last substantial original performance of labor, delivery of material, or rental equipment. RCW 60.04.091
Post-Claim Notice

- Send via certified mail to owners only, not to lenders
Send within 14 days of the date the lien was recorded.

Must give to owner via certified mail or personal delivery. RCW 60.04.091
Lawsuit
- File foreclosure action

- Necessary parties: all parties with legal interest in the property; party in privity
File lawsuit within 8 months after recording of the claim of construction lien. RCW 60.04.141

RCW 60.04.181 gives discretionary attorney fee right; this is overridden by RCW 4.84.250 which gives mandatory attorney fee right if claim is under $10,000.

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