New Hampshire mechanic's liens

Who and what this applies to

Private building/improvement liens under RSA 447:2 and 447:5–10.

Thresholds and scope

Qualifying labor, professional design services or materials must total at least $15.

The rules

• A qualifying owner-contract claimant has a lien on furnished materials, the structure and the owner’s interest in the land; the statutory building-lien rule excludes work for a municipality. Source
• A subcontract claimant gives written notice to the owner/person in charge before furnishing. Later notice protects only amounts then or thereafter due the owner’s contractor, agent or subcontractor. Source
• Claimants giving notice must furnish the owner/person in charge an account at least every 30 days of the services/materials furnished during that period. Source
• The lien continues 120 days after services or furnishing unless paid sooner; secure it through attachment of the property during that period, with the writ and return stating the lien purpose. Source

Primary sources

• RSA 447:2
• RSA 447:5–6
• RSA 447:8
• RSA 447:9–10

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

Back to New Hampshire contractor law · Mechanic's Liens topic guide.