Price v. Kirk

1. An architect who simply provided the plans and specifications for a building, is not entitled to a lien against said building, for his labor. 2. Bank v. Gries, 11 Casey 423, distinguished.

Error to the Court of Common Pleas of Chester county: Of January Term, 1879, No. 98. Scire facias sur mechanic’s lien issued by Benjamin D. Price against William S. Kirk. The claimed filed set forth: “ The amount claimed to be due is $195, for drawings, plans and specifications, and for labor and services in and about directing and overseeing the same, furnished from October 5th 1874, to November 29th 1875, by the claimant as an architect, for and about the erection and construction of said building.” The defendant pleaded that the work and labor set forth in the claim were not the subject of a mechanic’s lien. The case was heard without a jury by Butler, P. J., who found the following facts: “ That the plaintiff is an architect; that his claim is for preparing drawings and specifications for the house against which his lien is entered and (in his own language) three visits to West Chester to locate the building and explain the drawings to mechanics. We find, however, that he visited West Chester but once to explain the drawings; that this was before the building was commenced and consumed a very short period of time. He did not superintend the construction of the house or have anything to do with it, other than has been stated.” The court also found that the lien was not filed in time, but this question was not raised at the trial. In an opinion the court, inter alia, said: “ It is difficult to see how plaintiff can be held to have performed ‘work for or about the construction of the building.’ The claim filed is for ‘ drawings, plans and specifications, and for labor and services in and about directing and overseeing the same.’ It is further stated that these plans were for the construction of a building. The drawings of plans and specifications of itself, is not ‘ work’ within the meaning of the statute; not work in the ordinary sense of the term. An architect is not a mechanic or laborer. The plaintiff here has no better claim to a lien than the scrivener who copies specifications or draws contracts for the building or the surveyor who draws the plan upon the ground. Judgment must, therefore, be entered for the defendant.” This action was assigned for error by the plaintiff who took this writ.