EAST COAST STEEL ERECTORS, INC. v. PHILLIP K. CIOLFI, trustee. 1, 417 Mass. 602

Summary

The dispute arose out of a project for the construction of a building on land owned by the trust. The subcontractor filed an action against the general contractor and the trust, claiming that it had not been paid for its services. It sought relief from the general contractor under theories of contract and quasi contract. Against the trust, it sought to enforce a mechanic's lien pursuant to Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 254, §§ 4, 5, 8, 11 (1992). The claims against the general contractor were settled. The case proceeded to trial solely on the mechanic's lien. The trial court held that the subcontractor failed to perfect its mechanic's lien. On appeal, the court reversed, holding that the subcontractor perfected its lien in accordance with ch. 254. Because the contract did not contain a completion date, the subcontractor was free to specify a completion date in the notice of contract and each notice of extension without first obtaining the general contractor's approval, subject to objection by ...