What determines the priority of a mechanics' lien?

The priority of a mechanics' lien is determined primarily by the date of material supply or the commencement of work. This means that if a contractor or supplier begins work or provides materials on a project, that date establishes the lien's priority over other claims against the property. A mechanics' lien is designed to protect those who provide labor or materials for the improvement of a property by giving them a legal claim against the property if they are not paid. The principle behind this is that parties contributing to a property's value should have a stake in it.

In this context, the date of the complaint filing, the date of the final invoice, and the property owner’s approval date do not influence the priority of the lien in the same way. The complaint filing date relates to the legal action taken after the work has commenced and does not affect the standing of the mechanics' lien itself. Similarly, final invoices are generally issued after work has been completed, and thus reflect a post-construction status that does not retroactively adjust the lien priority established by the initial work commencement date. The property owner's approval might indicate consent to the work or materials but does not establish priority for the lien itself. Therefore, the correct basis for determining priority in this scenario remains the date of material supply