The short version
Step by step
- Before any paymentSend the statutory notice to the record ownerDirect contractors must use the form set out in Wyoming law and send it before receiving any money, including a deposit, deductible or insurance advance. Without it, you cannot claim a lien.
- Within 30 days of first workSubcontractors and suppliers send their noticeTo the record owner, with a copy to the contractor who hired you.
- During the jobWatch for a notice of substantial completionIf the owner records one, your filing clock can start earlier than you expect.
- By about day 130 (direct) or day 100 (subs)Send the notice of intentBy certified mail to the record owner, at least 20 days before you file the lien.
- Within 150 or 120 daysFile the lien with the county clerkCounted from your last work or substantial completion, whichever is earlier. The lien must be sworn before a notary.
- Within 30 days of filingMail notice of the lien to the ownerCertified mail, return receipt requested.
- Within 180 days of filingFile suit to enforceAfter that, the lien can no longer be enforced.
Direct contractor vs. subcontractor
| Hired by the owner (direct contractor) | Hired by a contractor (sub or supplier) | |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front notice | Before receiving any payment | Within 30 days of first work |
| Notice of intent | At least 20 days before filing | At least 20 days before filing |
| Lien deadline | 150 days | 120 days |
| Lawsuit deadline | 180 days after filing | 180 days after filing |
Homes and owners
- We did not find a special exemption for owner-occupied homes in Wyoming lien law. The up-front notice is the main protection for owners.
- Once a lien is filed, the owner may hold back the amount of the lien from what it pays the contractor.
Licensing
- Wyoming has no statewide general contractor, roofing or mold license; cities and counties license contractors locally. Electrical work is licensed by the state.
- The lien law does not require a license to claim a lien, but a missing local license can create other problems. Check the city or county where you work.
Restoration notes
The deposit trap: restoration companies often collect a deductible or an insurance advance on the first visit. In Wyoming, the owner notice has to go out before that payment. Put it in your emergency work authorization packet so it is signed and sent on day one.
Is mitigation lienable? Likely yes when it is part of repairing the property, and rented equipment such as dehumidifiers can count. We found no Wyoming court decision on drying-only or cleaning work, so treat those as uncertain.
Mistakes we see most
- Taking a deposit or insurance check before sending the owner notice.
- Forgetting that the notice of intent needs 20 days of lead time before the filing deadline.
- Counting from final cleanup instead of last real work or substantial completion.
- Letting the 180-day lawsuit deadline pass.
Let LienGuard watch the Wyoming clock for you
LienGuard starts every Wyoming deadline the day your crew arrives, reminds you before each one, and keeps verified photos and paperwork ready if you ever have to file.
Join the founding-member pilotLaws and cases cited
- Wyoming Statutes Title 29: Liens (incl. 29-1-312, 29-2-106, -107, -108, -109, -112; forms 29-10-101 to -103) wyoleg.gov
This guide is general information about state law, written for contractors. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Lien laws change and every job is different; talk to a construction attorney in the state before you file or rely on a deadline. LienGuard is software, not a law firm.