North Carolina Lien Waiver Deadline Calculator
Calculate critical lien waiver deadlines and notice of claim of lien on funds deadlines for North Carolina construction projects under G.S. §44A-20 and §44A-23.
Formulas Used
General Contractor — Claim of Lien on Real Property (G.S. §44A-13):
Filing Deadline = MIN(Last Furnishing Date + 120 days, Substantial Completion Date + 120 days)
Suit to Enforce = Lien Filing Deadline + 180 days
Subcontractors / Suppliers — Notice of Claim of Lien on Funds (G.S. §44A-19):
Notice Deadline = Last Furnishing Date + 30 days
Subcontractors / Suppliers — Claim of Lien on Real Property (G.S. §44A-13):
Filing Deadline = Last Furnishing Date + 120 days
Suit to Enforce = Lien Filing Deadline + 180 days
Balance Due (Potential Lien Amount):
Balance Due = Contract Amount − Amount Paid (minimum $0)
Assumptions & References
- G.S. §44A-13: A Claim of Lien on Real Property must be filed within 120 days of the claimant's last furnishing of labor, materials, or services to the project.
- G.S. §44A-13(b): A civil action to enforce the lien must be commenced within 180 days of filing the Claim of Lien on Real Property.
- G.S. §44A-19: Second and third tier claimants (and first tier claimants seeking lien on funds) must serve a written Notice of Claim of Lien on Funds on the owner and all higher-tier contractors within 30 days of last furnishing to preserve lien on funds rights.
- G.S. §44A-20: Upon receipt of a Notice of Claim of Lien on Funds, the owner and higher-tier contractors must withhold sufficient funds to satisfy the claim.
- G.S. §44A-23: Governs the priority and enforcement of liens on funds in North Carolina.
- North Carolina does not require a preliminary notice for first-tier subcontractors to file a lien on real property, but notice is required for second and third tier claimants to access lien on real property rights.
- "Last furnishing" means the last date labor, materials, or services were provided to the project (not including warranty or punch-list work).
- Deadlines falling on weekends or holidays may be extended to the next business day — verify with an attorney.
- This calculator does not account for private lien waivers executed in contracts, which may alter or waive lien rights entirely.
- North Carolina does not have a mandatory preliminary notice requirement for general contractors or first-tier subcontractors, but notice is strongly recommended for all tiers.
- All calculations are based on calendar days unless otherwise specified by statute.
Formulas Used General Contractor — Claim of Lien on Real Property (G.S. §44A-13): Filing Deadline = MIN(Last Furnishing Date + 120 days, Substantial Completion Date + 120 days) Suit to Enforce = Lien Filing Deadline + 180 days
Subcontractors / Suppliers — Notice of Claim of Lien on Funds (G.S. §44A-19): Notice Deadline = Last Furnishing Date + 30 days
Subcontractors / Suppliers — Claim of Lien on Real Property (G.S. §44A-13): Filing Deadline = Last Furnishing Date + 120 days Suit to Enforce = Lien Filing Deadline + 180 days
Balance Due (Potential Lien Amount): Balance Due = Contract Amount − Amount Paid (minimum $0)