Whicher Development Corp. v. Ross

Urner, J., delivered the opinion of the Court. A mechanic’s lien claim was filed by the appellee for a balance alleged to be due him, as contractor, for work and materials provided for the appellant in the remodeling of a cottage, and the construction of a pump house, on land owned by it in Talbot County. The total cost of the improvements made by the appellee was $10,383.05, but there were partial payments and other credits which left a balance of $2,765.60 as the amount claimed. A writ of scire facias to enforce the lien was applied for and issued.

The main question raised by the record is. whether a. motion to quash the writ was rightfully overruled. The appeal is from a judgment in favor of the appellee for $2,875.61, being the amount of his "claim with interest. As stated in the motion to quash the writ of scire facias, the specific grounds upon which the right to enforce the mechanic’s lien was thus challenged were that the statements of account annexed to the lien claim failed to sufficiently set forth the particulars of the work done and materials furnished, in regard to kind, amount and time, as required by statute, Code, art. 63, sec. 19. There is no dispute as to the terms of the oral agreement by which the appellee’s duties and rights were defined.

It ⁵²⁴ was agreed that he should supply the labor and material for the improvements, and superintend the work, and should be paid the cost plus ten per cent, thereof for his reimbursement and full compensation. In the accounts attached to the lien claim, the payments made by tire appellee for labor and material are listed in chronological order. In each instance the object of the payment is specified. The labor items show the nature and time of the service rendered, and the same details are given as to the materials furnished.

In view of the special purpose and terms of the agreement between the parties, we think the accounts are sufficiently explicit. While some of the lumber items do not state quantities, they mention the prices paid and the persons from whom the lumber was purchased. With such information the appellant could readily ascertain whether these charges were correct. This is the object of the Cbde requirement which we have cited.

Rust v. Chisolm, 57 Md. 382 ; Brunt v. Farinholt Co., 121 Md. 135 . But if we were prepared to hold that the accounts are imperfect as regards the particular items to which objection is made, we would not be justified, for that reason, in quashing the writ of scire facias, and in thus defeating the whole lien claim which is sought to be enforced. There are many items in the