North Carolina Lien Law

Supplier – Preliminary notice requirements to file mechanic lien
15 days: Notice to Lien Agent required within 15 days from first furnishing labor and/or materials (not required if hired direct by property owner). If the prime contractor records and post notice of contract then suppliers and subcontractors must serve prime contractor with notice of subcontract – notice of subcontract not set in statute; however, contractor is only required to notify lower tier of an payments after receiving the notice of subcontract.

Supplier – Mechanic Lien
120 days: Lien filed and served within 120 days from last furnishing labor or materials.

Subcontractor – Preliminary notice requirements to file mechanic lien
15 days: Notice to Lien Agent required within 15 days from first furnishing labor and/or materials (not required if hired direct by property owner). If the prime contractor records and post notice of contract then suppliers and subcontractors must serve prime contractor with notice of subcontract – notice of subcontract not set in statute; however, contractor is only required to notify lower tier of an payments after receiving the notice of subcontract.

Subcontractor – Mechanic Lien
120 days: Lien filed and served within 120 days from last furnishing labor or materials.

General Contractor – Preliminary notice requirements to file mechanic lien
Optional: may file a notice of contract – within 30 days after the building permit is issued for the project record notice of contract with clerk of court and post copy of such notice in a visible location on site adjacent to posted building permit

General Contractor – Mechanic Lien
120 days: Lien filed and served within 120 days from last furnishing labor or materials.

Timeframe to foreclose lien
Enforced within 180 days after last furnishing labor or materials.

Construction participants not covered by lien law
There are not any participants that are not covered.

Cost and damages not allowed in lien claim
Items that are typically not allowed in a lien claim are lost profits, equipment not eventually attached (fixtures) to building, and indirect or consequential damages