Texas lien deadline calculator for subcontractors

This Texas lien deadline calculator is a free tool that gives a subcontractor's notice of claim, lien affidavit, retainage notice and suit dates under Property Code Chapter 53. It covers contracts entered on or after January 1, 2022.

By James Grokman, CEO, TapeAndFloat · Published October 25, 2026 · Updated October 25, 2026

Pick the project type and the month of the unpaid work. You get the dates for the notice of claim, the lien affidavit, the retainage notice and the lawsuit deadline under Texas Property Code chapter 53 (contracts on or after January 1, 2022). Free, no sign-up, nothing you type leaves your browser.

Project type
Residential (house, duplex to fourplex, condo unit lived in by the owner)Commercial / everything else (incl. most apartments and spec homes)

Month the unpaid work was done

Last month you provided labor or materials on this job (optional; defaults to the month above)

Date your subcontract was completed, if retainage is being held (optional)

Calculate deadlines

Estimates from the statute's general rules, not legal advice. The calculator doesn't know your contract, holidays, payment bonds, homestead rules or public-works rules. Send notices with days to spare and talk to a Texas construction attorney before you file.

The rules it uses

• Notice of claim (§ 53.056): 15th day of the 2nd month after the work month (residential) or the 3rd month (commercial), to the owner and the original contractor.
• Lien affidavit (§ 53.052): 15th day of the 3rd month (residential) or 4th month (commercial) after the last month you worked, filed with the county clerk.
• Copy of the filed affidavit (§ 53.055): within 5 days after filing.
• Retainage notice (§ 53.057): 30 days after your subcontract is completed, terminated or abandoned.
• Suit to foreclose (§ 53.158): generally one year after the last day you could file the affidavit.

The full walkthrough, with a worked example and what the office should track, is in Texas lien deadlines for subcontractors and the Texas lien deadlines guide. Holding retainage? See how to get your drywall retainage back.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Texas lien notice deadline for a subcontractor? For contracts on or after Jan 1, 2022, the notice of claim for unpaid labor or materials is due by the 15th day of the 2nd month after the month the work was done on residential projects, and the 15th day of the 3rd month on commercial projects (Texas Property Code § 53.056).

When must a Texas subcontractor file the lien affidavit? By the 15th day of the 3rd month (residential) or 4th month (commercial) after the last month the claimant provided labor or materials (§ 53.052).

What if the deadline falls on a weekend? Under § 53.003(e) a deadline that falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday moves to the next business day, but it is safer to send early.

Is this legal advice? No. The calculator applies the statute's general rules and gives estimates. It does not account for holidays, payment bonds, homestead requirements or public works. Talk to a Texas construction attorney for your situation.

Want every unpaid invoice's lien dates tracked for you? TapeAndFloat watches your jobs and invoices and flags lien dates before they pass. Join the free 60-day pilot, or grab the free office tracker.

En español: Calculadora de plazos de gravamen en Texas.