If multiple liens are filed against a property owner on the same day, which lien holder has priority?

The priority of liens, especially when multiple liens are filed against a property owner on the same day, is generally determined by the concept of "commencement of work" or "earliest date of furnishing labor or materials." In this scenario, the correct answer pertains to the supplier of building materials.

The reason the supplier holds priority is that they provided materials necessary for the construction work earlier in the timeline, which subsequently contributed to the overall completion of the project. In lien law, those who have supplied materials often have a strong claim, as they enable other work, such as that done by subcontractors and laborers, to occur.

While the subcontractor and laborers may have completed work on later dates, their claims are contingent upon the materials being available, hence establishing a clear line of priority. The contractor, even though they completed the project later, would not necessarily have claim priority over those who provided the foundational materials. In this case, the act of supplying materials is recognized as an essential first step in the chain of construction, granting the supplier a favorable position in regards to lien priority. Therefore, the supplier's role aligns with the principles governing the establishment of lien priority.