Guides · Liens & bonds
New Jersey construction lien and bond deadlines
New Jersey lien claims are lodged within 90 days of last work. Residential claimants first file a Notice of Unpaid Balance within 60 days. Public bond claimants give notice before starting work.
Private work (Construction Lien Law)
- Lien claim (N.J.S.A. 2A:44A-6): lodged with the county clerk within 90 days after the claimant last provided work, services, materials or equipment.
- Residential construction (2A:44A-20 and -21): the claimant first files a Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien within 60 days of last work. It then goes through the statute's arbitration process before lodging the lien, within 120 days of last work.
Public works (N.J.S.A. 2A:44-143 to -147)
- Notice before work: a beneficiary without a direct contract with the bonded contractor must give the contractor written notice, with proof of delivery, before starting work. Without it, bond rights run only from the date notice is given (2A:44-145).
- Statement of amount due: furnished to the sureties within one year of the claimant's last work or deliveries.
- Suit: not until 90 days after the statement is provided to the sureties and the contractor, and no later than one year from the last work or deliveries.
Summary for general information, reviewed 2026-11-13. Not legal advice; check the source before relying on a deadline or threshold.
More guides: New Jersey contractor registration and DPMC classification · How to bid New Jersey state construction · Selling to New Jersey state agencies · County hubs