GC Laws — Minnesota contractor-law checklist preview (free)
Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. Public summaries remain free on gclaws.com.

[ ] Licensing
      - Section 326B.805 requires the applicable commissioner-issued license for the listed occupations and bars unlicensed practice or holding out for compensation except under subdivision 6.
      - Subdivision 6 lists exemptions, including certain employees, owners, regulated trades and one-skill specialty contractors. Its annual-receipts exemption requires the certificate and immediate surrender/application for a license if receipts exceed $15,000.
      - A designated qualifying person fulfills the examination and education requirements, subject to the statutory relationship with the applicant business.

[ ] Mechanic's liens
      - A direct contractor using subs/suppliers gives the statutory notice in the written owner contract or, without one, within ten days after agreement. Indirect claimants generally give the owner notice within 45 days after first furnishing, subject to the stated exceptions.
      - Within 120 days after last work, skill, materials or machinery, file the verified statement with the proper recording office and serve a copy on the statutory recipient by personal service or certified mail.
      - Assert the lien by complaint or answer within one year after the last claim item stated in the recorded statement, and join persons to be bound within that year.

[ ] Retainage
      - If the owner reduces retainage, the contractor must reduce downstream retainage at the same rate.
      - Release is due no later than 60 days after substantial completion, subject to the statutory allowed withholding. A contractor passes remaining retainage through within ten days after receipt, paying undisputed subs and supplying the required written explanation for a disputed withholding.
      - After substantial completion, permitted withholding is limited to 250% of known correction/completion cost plus the greater of 1% of contract value or $500 for final paperwork, with a written basis. Those amounts release within 60 days of completion/submission; warranty-work retainage is prohibited.

[ ] Prompt payment
      - The prime and every subcontractor must pay the sub/material supplier within ten days after receipt of the corresponding payment for undisputed services.
      - Late undisputed sums carry 1.5% monthly interest, with a $10 monthly minimum only for balances of $100 or more; the actual penalty applies below $100.
      - The section allows work suspension for nonreceipt of an undisputed payment within the stated ten-day period and awards costs, disbursements and attorney fees to a party prevailing in an interest-penalty collection action.

[ ] Prevailing wage
      - Covered site laborers/mechanics receive at least the prevailing trade/area rate and 1.5 times the hourly basic rate for hours beyond prevailing hours; manufacturing and regular-establishment delivery exceptions have an express in-place aggregate-delivery qualification.
      - Contracts must state the wage rates and require payroll copies within 14 days after each pay period. Rates are determined before bidding and posted at the project.
      - Section 177.44 separately requires prevailing wages and overtime for covered state-highway contracts and is enforced by the Department of Transportation.

[ ] Davis-Bacon (federal)
      - Under 40 U.S.C. section 3142, covered contracts require payment to laborers and mechanics employed directly on the site of the work at least weekly, at rates no lower than the applicable prevailing wage determination. The required compensation includes the basic hourly rate and required fringe benefits, which may be provided through qualifying benefits or cash as the statute permits.
      - Qualifying apprentices may receive a lower registered-program rate only when the applicable registration and program conditions are met. The Department of Labor’s apprenticeship rules govern those exceptions.
      - The Department of Labor determines the prevailing rates for the work classifications and locality. Contractors and subcontractors must use the wage determination applicable to their covered contract.
      - Federal assistance alone does not establish coverage: many, but not all, construction-assistance statutes include Davis-Bacon requirements. Identify the funding program and its governing Related Act.
      - SAM.gov publishes Davis-Bacon wage determinations. Search by the wage-determination number or the Davis-Bacon public-buildings-or-works category, and match the decision to the contract, locality, and work classification.

This preview lists the topics and rules covered in the full state pack. The paid pack adds the complete source URLs, citations, review dates, and the three editable tools.
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