Rhode Island Mechanics Lien Deadline (2026): 200 Days after Last Work for Remodelers
How long a remodeler hired by the homeowner has to record a mechanics lien in Rhode Island, what notice comes first, and the deadline to sue, worked on three dates.
Not legal advice. General information from each state's lien statute, checked Oct 29, 2026, for a contractor hired directly by the owner of an existing home. Dates are calendar arithmetic; some states move a deadline that lands on a weekend or holiday and some don't, and a recorded notice of completion or commencement can change the clock. Before you rely on a date, check with a construction attorney in your state.
The rule in Rhode Island
200 days after last work
Within 200 days after your work or materials, mail a notice of intention to the homeowner by certified mail and record it.
40 days after recording
File a lawsuit and record notice of it within 40 days of recording the notice of intention.
Check before work starts
Rhode Island law has a notice of possible mechanics lien given before work starts. We couldn't read its current text, so confirm it before you sign.
No special rule
None
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-28-4, 34-28-4.1, 34-28-10 (Official RI legislature statute pages 34-28-4, 34-28-5, 34-28-10; 2014 S2636aa bill text)
“within two hundred (200) days after the doing of such work”
Three last days of work, worked
| Last work | Record by | Sue by |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | Feb 16, 2027 | Mar 28, 2027 |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Jun 8, 2027 | Jul 18, 2027 |
Suit dates assume you record the lien on its last day; record earlier and a suit deadline that runs from recording comes earlier. Dates are calendar arithmetic and aren't moved off weekends or holidays.
Rhode Island lien questions
How long do I have to file a mechanics lien in Rhode Island?
Within 200 days after your work or materials, mail a notice of intention to the homeowner by certified mail and record it.
How long does a mechanics lien last in Rhode Island?
File a lawsuit and record notice of it within 40 days of recording the notice of intention.
Does a contractor need to send a notice before filing a lien in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island law has a notice of possible mechanics lien given before work starts. We couldn't read its current text, so confirm it before you sign.
Compare other states
How we checked
We read each state's mechanics lien statute on the legislature's site, for a contractor hired directly by the homeowner on an existing home. Two independent research passes covered all 50 states and DC, and a third reviewer checked the result. Where a state's own site would not load, the row names the copy we read. Last checked .
This guide explains the general rule. It is not legal advice.