Plain-language guides to licensing, public bidding and getting paid in Minnesota, written from the statutes, rules and agency pages and linked to them.
Licensing
Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry licenses residential building contractors, electrical contractors and plumbing contractors. Commercial general contractors are not licensed statewide.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Bidding
MnDOT publishes ads at least three weeks before each letting and keeps a 12-month tentative letting schedule.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Lien law
Subs give the owner a pre-lien notice within 45 days of first furnishing, lien statements are recorded within 120 days of last work, and enforcement starts within one year.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Procurement
Minnesota state agencies buy through the Office of State Procurement and the SWIFT supplier portal. MnDOT highway work is let separately.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Guides are general information, not legal advice.