Frequently Asked Questions - Wisconsin Mechanics Lien
Wisconsin Lien Documents are Easy to File with LienItNow.com
Why LienItNow?
LienItNow.com provides online mechanics lien forms to help contractors, sub-contractors, and suppliers secure the payment they need. In three simple steps, complete your mechanics lien on your own time in only 10 quick minutes. Once a time-consuming process for construction companies, LienItNow.com makes filing your mechanics lien faster and easier than ever. LienItNow.com can also help you create bond claims, pre-lien notices and lien releases.
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What is a Wisconsin construction lien claim?
Under Wisconsin law, mechanics lien rights extend to all participants in the construction process including surveyors, architects, contractors, engineers and subcontractors and, finally, suppliers. When a Wisconsin mechanics lien is filed with regard to work performed on privately owned property, it attaches to and encumbers the fee simple ownership of property. On public projects, Wisconsin law provides first tier subcontractors with the right to file a Wisconsin mechanics lien, not against the property, but rather upon unpaid project funds.
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Who can file a Wisconsin construction lien Claim?
Under Wisconsin law, any proper lien claimant, regardless of what level they fall in the chain of construction have Wisconsin mechanics lien rights. That includes sub-subcontractors and lower tier sub-subcontractors, architects and engineers.
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Are pre-lien notices for a Wisconsin construction lien Claim required?
In Wisconsin, the mechanics lien law contains very specific notice requirements that are strictly enforced by the courts. First, a preliminary notice called a Notice to Owner must be given by every prime contractor who has contracted or will contract with any subcontractor or materialmen within 10 days after the first labor or materials are furnished. While there are exceptions to this notice requirement, the purpose of the preliminary notice is to protect owners of relatively small projects. Further, a preliminary notice called a Notice of Identification is required of subcontractors, suppliers and anyone who is not a prime contractor. Pre-lien notices must be given to the owner or the owner's agent within 60 days after the lien claimant furnishes its first labor or materials for the improvement. In addition to the preliminary notice, every lien claimant must provide written notice upon the project owner of its intent to file a Wisconsin mechanics lien claim: this notice is called a Notice of Intent. The notice of intent must be served at least 30 days before the actual filing of the Wisconsin mechanics lien claim.
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When should a Wisconsin construction lien Claim be filed?
A Wisconsin mechanics lien claim must be filed within 6 months from the date the lien claimant furnished its last labor or materials.
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How much does it cost to file a Wisconsin construction lien Claim?
LienItNow.com prepares, files and serves Wisconsin construction liens. For more information on pricing, please visit our prices page.
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Do I need a written contract in order to file a Wisconsin Mechanics Lien Claim?
No. Oral contracts are sufficient.
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How does filing a Wisconsin construction lien Claim help me get my money?
On a private project, the Wisconsin construction lien places an encumbrance on the property that makes it difficult to resell or re-finance the property without first removing the Wisconsin mechanics lien.
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What is a Wisconsin Stop Notice and why should it be filed
LienItNow.com prepares and serves Wisconsin Stop Notices. A Stop Notice is a notification that has the ability to enhance the effectiveness of a CONSTRUCTION lien. A Stop Notice, or a notice to withhold funds, is sent to the company that is financing or funding the construction funds for a project. Once that company receives the Stop Notice, that company has notice that it should withhold sufficient money to satisfy the stop notice claim. The purpose of the Stop Notice is to provide the lender, financiers or funders of the construction project notice that there is money owed to a contractor, subcontractor or supplier so that an inquiry can be made as to why that money is not being paid.
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What is a Wisconsin Amendment to a construction lien Claim?
LienItNow.com prepares, files and serves Wisconsin Amendments to construction lien Claims. Amendments to a construction lien claim are often needed when something about the claim changes. Common changes to a lien claim are increases or reductions in the amount due to the lienor, or a change to the last date of work.
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When should a Wisconsin Discharge of construction lien claim be filed?
LienItNow.com prepares, files and serves Wisconsin Discharges of construction lien Claims. Once the lienor has been paid the amount contained in its lien claim, or has come to an agreement that requires the lien claim to be removed from the property records, a Discharge of construction lien Claim should be filed.
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How much does it cost to file a Wisconsin Extension of a construction lien Claim?
LienItNow.com prepares, files and serves extensions of construction lien Claims. All lien claims expire after a certain period of time, and filing an extension of the construction lien claim prolongs the expiration date. Wisconsin law, however, does not permit an extension of construction lien claims.
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Can I file a Bond Claim on a Wisconsin Project?
LienItNow.com prepares, files and serves Wisconsin Bond Claims. Bond claims can only be filed on a project where the owner, contractor or subcontractor has obtained a payment bond to ensure that every contractor receives payment for the work performed on the Project. The payment bonds issued by sureties for construction projects have specific timing requirements, but most require claimants to submit claims against the bond within sixty to ninety days from the claimants' last date of work. Bond claims are as or more effective than a lien claim because the payment bond acts as a guarantee that payment will be made for work properly completed.
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Do I need to file a Pre-Notice to make a claim against a Wisconsin payment bond?
LienItNow.com prepares, files and serves Wisconsin Pre-Notices for bond claims. Depending on the terms of the payment bond, pre-notices may or may not be required. LienItNow.com recommends that, prior to or immediately after starting work or delivering materials to a project, subcontractors and suppliers, file a pre-notice that it is a potential beneficiary of the construction project's bond.
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