A construction lien is the most powerful collection tool a contractor has: a secured claim against the property for unpaid work. But lien rights are strictly time-limited. The preservation deadline varies by province, 60 days in Ontario, 45 in BC, 40 in Saskatchewan, 30 in Quebec, and it runs from your last day of supply rather than project completion. Courts will not extend it for any reason. Miss it and the right is gone permanently, no matter how much you are owed.
Why tracking it by hand goes wrong
- The clock starts from your last day of supply, not the project completion date. Another subcontractor still on site does not extend your deadline.
- The number is province-specific. Using Ontario's 60 days in a 45-day province like BC means missing the deadline.
- Preservation is only step one. Most provinces require a separate perfection step (a court action, and in Ontario a Certificate of Action) within a longer window, or the lien expires.
- Deadlines are strictly enforced. A single missed day can permanently void a lien worth tens of thousands of dollars.
- Territories without lien legislation (NT, NU, YT) need a manually confirmed deadline, not an assumed default.
How Markup handles it
Per-province deadline calculation
The preservation deadline is computed from your last supply date against the correct provincial statute, not a single guessed number.
Project deadline alerts
Every project gets a lien-deadline alert at 14 and 7 days before expiry, so the date never passes unnoticed.
Perfection reminder
A prompt for the court-action step that follows preservation, the part most contractors forget after registering the lien.
Bundled with invoicing and holdback
Your lien dates sit alongside the invoices and holdback they relate to, instead of in a separate spreadsheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the construction lien preservation deadline?
It is the last day you can register a construction lien against a property. After it passes, the right to preserve a lien is permanently extinguished, regardless of how much you are owed.
How long do I have to file a lien in Ontario?
60 days from your last supply of services or materials under the Construction Act, section 31. A separate perfection step (court action plus Certificate of Action) follows, with about 90 more days.
What is lien perfection?
Perfection is the second step after preservation: commencing a court action and, in Ontario, registering a Certificate of Action. Miss the perfection window and even a properly preserved lien expires.
Does missing the deadline really void my lien?
Yes, permanently. Lien deadlines are strictly enforced and courts do not extend them, which is why automated tracking matters.
Is Markup's lien software free?
Lien-deadline tracking inside the app is part of the Plus plan, and every new account gets a 14-day free trial of Plus with no card required. The lien deadline calculator tool is free to use without an account.
This page is general information only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. CRA rules and filing thresholds can change. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed professional.