Warning StatementKS Stat. Ann. §§ 60-1101 et seq.

Kansas Preliminary Notice Requirements

Kansas requires you to send a "Warning Statement" to protect your mechanics lien rights. Here's everything you need to know — who to send it to, when to send it, and how to deliver it.

Notice Required?

Yes

Must send to preserve lien rights

Deadline

N/A

No deadline

Late Notice?

No

Send on time

Notice Type

Preliminary

Understanding Preliminary Notices in Kansas

Kansas uses a preliminary notice system. Here's what that means in plain English: when you start working on a construction project (or deliver your first batch of materials), you need to send a document called the “Warning Statement” to certain people within the required timeframe.

Imagine you're an electrician hired to wire a new office building in Kansas. Your first day on the job site is March 1st. Under Kansas law, you need to send the Warning Statement. This notice goes to the property owner. Send it on time to keep your lien rights active. This is the single most important compliance step on any Kansas project.

Who Needs to Send a Preliminary Notice in Kansas?

This applies to nearly everyone who works on a construction project and wants to protect their payment rights. That includes general contractors, subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc.), material suppliers (lumber, concrete, fixtures), equipment rental companies, laborers, architects and engineers, and surveyors. The specific rules — like who you need to notify and your deadline — depend on your role. Check the table below to see exactly what applies to you.

Why Preliminary Notices Matter

The Warning Statement is what keeps your lien rights active in Kansas. It's standard paperwork — sending it on time protects your payment on every project.

Who Must Receive the Warning Statement?

Who you need to notify depends on your role on the project. Here's a simple breakdown:

If You Are A...You Must Notify...
General ContractorProperty Owner
SubcontractorProperty Owner, obligated party
Material SupplierProperty Owner, obligated party
LaborerProperty Owner, obligated party
Equipment Rental CompanyProperty Owner, obligated party
Architect / Engineer / SurveyorProperty Owner, obligated party

How to Deliver the Notice in Kansas

Use one of the approved delivery methods below to make sure your notice is valid. Kansas accepts these methods:

Certified Mail — You send via USPS and get a green receipt card proving the notice was delivered. This is the gold standard because it creates clear proof of delivery.

Personal Delivery — You (or someone you designate) hand-deliver the notice directly to the recipient. Make sure to get a signed acknowledgment as proof.

Statutory Notice Language

Kansas law requires your Warning Statement to include specific warning language. This isn't language you write yourself — it's exact wording specified by KS Stat. Ann. §§ 60-1101 et seq.. Using the wrong language (or leaving it out) can invalidate your notice. LienGrid automatically includes the correct statutory language for Kansas.

Owner Warning Language (excerpt from KS Stat. Ann. §§ 60-1101 et seq.)

Notice to owner: The undersigned is a supplier or subcontractor providing materials or labor on the project at the property described herein under an agreement with the contractor identified below. Kansas law will allow this supplier or subcontractor to file a lien against your property for materials or labor not paid for by your contractor unless you have a waiver of lien signed by this supplier or subcontractor. If you receive a notice of filing of a lien statement by this supplier or subcontr...

Official Kansas Resources

These are official state government websites where you can look up statutes, verify contractor licenses, and search business registrations.

State Legislature

Look up Kansas lien statutes and laws

Kansas Legislature

Contractor Licensing

Verify licenses and check requirements

Kansas Attorney General — Consumer Protection

Secretary of State

Business entity search and registration

Kansas Secretary of State

Preliminary Notice Requirements by County in Kansas

Select your county for specific guidance on sending preliminary notices in your area.

105 counties found

AllenAndersonAtchisonBarberBartonBourbonBrownButlerChaseChautauquaCherokeeCheyenneClarkClayCloudCoffeyComancheCowleyCrawfordDecaturDickinsonDoniphanDouglasEdwardsElkEllisEllsworthFinneyFordFranklinGearyGoveGrahamGrantGrayGreeleyGreenwoodHamiltonHarperHarveyHaskellHodgemanJacksonJeffersonJewellJohnsonKearnyKingmanKiowaLabetteLaneLeavenworthLincolnLinnLoganLyonMarionMarshallMcPhersonMeadeMiamiMitchellMontgomeryMorrisMortonNemahaNeoshoNessNortonOsageOsborneOttawaPawneePhillipsPottawatomiePrattRawlinsRenoRepublicRiceRileyRooksRushRussellSalineScottSedgwickSewardShawneeSheridanShermanSmithStaffordStantonStevensSumnerThomasTregoWabaunseeWallaceWashingtonWichitaWilsonWoodsonWyandotte

Kansas Preliminary Notice FAQ

Common questions about preliminary notices in Kansas, answered so anyone can understand.

A preliminary notice is a simple document you send near the beginning of a construction project to let the property owner (and sometimes the general contractor and lender) know that you're working on their property. It's NOT a threat, a lien, or a sign that something is wrong — it's a standard business practice required by law in many states. Think of it as "checking in" to say: "I'm providing labor/materials on this project, and I expect to be paid." In Kansas, this document is officially called the "Warning Statement" and is governed by KS Stat. Ann. §§ 60-1101 et seq..
Yes, Kansas requires it. If you skip this step, you could lose your right to file a mechanics lien later — which means you'd have much less legal leverage if you don't get paid. In Kansas, the "Warning Statement" must be sent before you file a lien. The notice requirement exists to ensure transparency on construction projects — everyone involved should know who is providing labor and materials.
Kansas doesn't have a preliminary notice deadline because no notice is required. Your key deadline to watch is the lien filing deadline: 4 months from last material, equipment, or supplies furnished or labor performed.
In Kansas, it's officially called the "Warning Statement" (formal document title: "WARNING STATEMENT"). Different states use different names for essentially the same concept — you might hear it called a "preliminary notice," "notice to owner," "notice of furnishing," or "pre-lien notice" depending on the state. The Kansas version follows the requirements laid out in KS Stat. Ann. §§ 60-1101 et seq..
It depends on your role on the project. Here's a simple breakdown: General Contractors (hired directly by the owner) must notify: the property owner. Subcontractors (hired by the GC or another sub) must notify: the property owner, obligated party. Material Suppliers must notify: the property owner, obligated party. Laborers follow the same rules as subcontractors and must notify: the property owner, obligated party. Equipment rental companies follow material supplier rules and must notify: the property owner, obligated party. Design professionals (architects, engineers, surveyors) must notify: the property owner, obligated party. It's critical to send the notice to ALL required parties — missing even one can weaken your legal standing.
Kansas accepts these delivery methods: Certified Mail, Personal Delivery. Most people use certified mail because it gives you a receipt proving the notice was sent AND received — this is your proof if there's ever a dispute. Keep the receipt and tracking number in your project file. Important: if you use a delivery method that isn't on the approved list, your notice could be considered legally invalid even if the recipient actually received it. Don't take shortcuts with delivery.
Yes — Kansas requires the Warning Statement to include specific warning language spelled out in KS Stat. Ann. §§ 60-1101 et seq.. This isn't language you make up yourself. The state has exact wording that must appear on the notice, explaining to the property owner their rights and the potential consequences of unpaid work. Using the wrong language (or leaving it out) could make your notice invalid. This is one reason many contractors use tools like LienGrid — it automatically includes the correct statutory language for Kansas so you don't have to worry about getting it wrong.
This is a big deal: if you skip the required Warning Statement in Kansas, you could completely lose your right to file a mechanics lien. That means if you're not paid for $50,000 worth of work, you might have no lien to fall back on. You could still pursue other legal options like breach of contract lawsuits, but those are more expensive and time-consuming than filing a lien. The preliminary notice is your insurance policy — a small upfront step that protects potentially large payments down the road. Never skip it.
Kansas's notice requirements are primarily designed for residential projects (homes, apartments). If you're working on a commercial project, different rules may apply. Check KS Stat. Ann. §§ 60-1101 et seq. for specifics.
Yes — LienGrid automates the entire preliminary notice process for Kansas. Instead of manually tracking deadlines, looking up who needs to receive the notice, and making sure you use the right legal language, LienGrid does it all for you. The platform generates your Warning Statement with the correct Kansas statutory language, identifies every required recipient, and can even send the notice via Certified Mail, Personal Delivery on your behalf. It's the easiest way to stay compliant and protect your right to get paid. Try it free — no credit card required.
View Kansas mechanics lien filing requirements

Preliminary Notice Rules in Neighboring States

Colorado →Missouri →Nebraska →Oklahoma →
Content reviewed by LienGrid's compliance team|Last reviewed: March 2026

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Kansas laws change frequently — always verify current requirements and consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before taking legal action. LienGrid makes every effort to keep this information accurate, but we cannot guarantee completeness or currency.

Ready to stop worrying about paperwork?

Focus on Your Work. We'll Protect Your Pay.

Thousands of contractors trust LienGrid to automate compliance — notices, deadlines, waivers, and lien filings. Start free and see for yourself.

Start Free — No Card Required