Public Notice
Dept. of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
Notice of Dollar Amount Adjustments for Repair Charges
Subject to Mechanic's Liens
Under s. 779.41 (1), Stats., mechanics or repair businesses who transport, repair or perform any work on personal property at the request of the owner have a statutory lien on the property for the just and reasonable charges associated with the work, and may retain possession of the property until the charges are paid.
Generally, a mechanic's lien under s. 779.41, Stats., has a priority over any previously recorded security interest in the personal property but only for appropriate charges below specified dollar amounts.
Under s. 779.41 (1m), Stats., the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is required to annually publish adjusted dollar amounts for charges on repairs to personal property subject to mechanic's liens. The adjustments are based on the annual change in the consumer price index, all items, U.S. city average, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Department has determined that current dollar amounts specified under s. 779.41(1) (intro), (1) (a), (1) (b), and (1) (c), Stats., shall be increased by 3%, according to the prior year annual change in the consumer price index. Thus, dollar amounts for charges under the mechanic's lien law are adjusted as follows:
Under s. 779.41 (1) (intro), mechanic's liens generally, $1,545.
Under s. 779.41 (1) (a), mechanic's liens on a trailer or semitrailer designed for use with a road tractor, $4,635.
Under s. 779.41 (1) (b), mechanic's liens on road machinery, including mobile cranes, trench hoes, farm tractors, machines of husbandry, or off-highway construction vehicles and equipment, $7,725.
Under s. 779.41 (1) (c) 1. to 4., mechanic's liens on vehicles:
1. More than 10,000 and less than 20,000 pounds, $3,090.
2. 20,000 pounds or more but less than 40,000 pounds, $6,100.
3. 40,000 pounds or more, but less than 60,000 pounds, $9,270.
4. 60,000 pounds or more, $12,360.
These revised dollar amounts under the mechanic's lien law shall apply to work commenced on or after January 1, 1998 for which a lien is claimed. These revised dollar amounts shall remain in effect until the first day of the first month following publication of new adjusted dollar amounts in the
Wisconsin Administrative Register.
Contact Information
Merry Fran Tryon, Director
Telephone: (608) 224-4921
Consumer Protection Bureau
Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
2811 Agriculture Dr.
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911
The State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
Document Sales Unit
P.O. Box 7840
Dated Material. Please Do Not Delay!
