Ridge Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Inc. v. Brennen

This case involves the collision of competing policies within the mechanics’ lien law that was adopted to protect those who furnish labor and materials in construction. Riley v. Abrams, 287 Md. 348, 357, 412 A.2d 996 (1980). In 1982, the legislature adopted Md.Code (1974, 1981 Repl.Vol., 1982 Supp.), § 9-104(f)(3) of the Real Property Article (“R.P.”), which provided:

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, the lien of the subcontractor against a single family dwelling being erected on the land of the oumer for his own residence shall not exceed the amount by which…