In Washington, the Pre-Claim Notice must be served within 60 days of first furnishing labor or materials, under RCW 60.04.031. For new single-family residential construction, the deadline is shortened to 10 days from first furnishing.
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- Notice Type
- Pre-Claim Notice
- Deadline
- 60 days from first furnishing
- Statute
- RCW 60.04.031
- State
- Washington (WA)
- Primary Source
- Official statute text →
Statutory Warning Text
THIS IS NOT A LIEN. This notice is sent to you to tell you who is providing labor, professional services, materials, or equipment for improvements to your property and to advise you of the rights of the sender. Also, this notice may be a pre-claim notice to a residential property owner. Under Washington's laws, those who labor on your property or provide materials or equipment may have lien rights on your property if they are not paid.
Washington statute requires this notice to be printed in at least 10-point font size minimum.
Who Must File
All potential lien claimants, including subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment lessors, and professional service providers.
Who Is Exempt
Direct contractors who have a written contract directly with the property owner.
Deadline Details
Deadline: 60 days from first furnishing (10 days for new single-family residential)
For new single-family residential construction, the deadline is shortened to 10 days from first furnishing.
Service Requirements
The notice must be sent by certified mail or registered mail to the owner and the prime contractor. For residential properties, additional service requirements may apply.
Common Compliance Issues in Washington
Disclaimer: The following are frequently cited issues based on statutory requirements. This is NOT legal advice. Consult a Washington-licensed construction attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
1Single-Family Residential Trap
While the standard deadline is 60 days, if you are working on a new single-family residence, the deadline shrinks to just 10 days from first furnishing.
Prevention: Always verify the zoning and property type before relying on the standard 60-day calendar.
Ref: RCW 60.04.031(1)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there specific font requirements for the Washington notice?
Yes. Washington law explicitly requires that the statutory warning text (starting with "THIS IS NOT A LIEN") be printed in 10-point boldface type or larger, and specifically formatted.
This is general information based on Washington statutes, not legal advice.
RCW 60.04.031(4)