Hutchins v. Bautch

123 Wis. 394 | Wis. | 1904

]VIaeshall, J.

Tbe ultimate question for solution in this case is, under the circumstances were respondents entitled .to a lien under ch. 143, Stats. 1898, the person they dealt with having, more than six months after their contract was, as regards appearances to third parties, performed, conveyed .her interest in the land to appellant? The errors assigned, in the main, are that the trial court improperly held that the ■ contract included the work of putting on the frost-proof cock; that putting it on after the apparent completion of the work, as regards third parties, extended the time for filing the lien petition; that an entry on the premises to complete the ivork after the sale to plaintiff, without his permission, could affect .the right of lien; and that the delay of one year in putting -on the frost-proof cock was according to custom, or was reasonable.

On all questions of fact involved in the assignments of .■error the evidence, as we find it in the record, is so conflicting that under familiar rules the trial court’s findings cannot properly be disturbed.

Counsel argue that the contract was so indefinite that, as ■a matter of law, the putting in of the frost-proof cock should not be deemed to be included therein. On that reference is •made by counsel to decisions elsewhere. There is nothing in .■our statutes suggesting as an essential to a lien on realty, as to third parties, that the terms of the contract must be so pre- ■ cise that the amount agreed to be paid for work and material furnished thereunder can be definitely determined therefrom. Lne rule in Massachusetts, which counsel invoke, does •not apply to our statutes. They in unequivocal terms provide that every person, who as principal contractor furnishes work or material in specified cases, including such as the one before us, used in the improvement of realty so as to become :a part thereof, is entitled to a lien for the indebtedness created thereby upon all the right, title and interest in such ;realty of the person contracted with at the time of the commencement of such work, or the furnishing of such material. Neither the contract price for the work and material, nor the-precise details of such work are required by the statutes, expressly or by implication, to be fixed in advance. It is sufficient as to any work or material that it be in fact included' in the contract. The time for filing the lien petition is limited to six months subsequent to the last charge for furnish--ing material or work. Sec. 3318, Stats. 1898. That, as to-all furnished under one contract, regardless of the time occupied in the execution thereof, commences at the date of the last thereof. Fowler v. Bailley, 14 Wis. 125. That case indicates clearly that mere lapse of time between the last act-' and those preceding it in the execution of a contract is immaterial.

In support of the point that omission to furnish some unimportant part of contract work, or material, till a considerable period after the contract has been apparently fully performed cannot extend the time for filing the lien petition. Chapman v. Wadleigh, 33 Wis. 267, is referred to. That; case is to the- effect that the language of sec. 3314, Stats.. 1898, providing that the lien shall have priority over any other lien originating subsequent to the commencement of' the construction, repair, etc., calls for visible physical acts in that regard, likely to give notice to third parties dealing in respect to the realty and put them on inquiry. It has no reference to necessity for visible continuity of work from; the commencement thereof to the beginning of the period, limited for filing the lien. Fish Creek B. & L. D. Co. v. First Nat. Bank, 80 Wis. 630, 50 N. W. 585, cited by coun*-sel, relates to the log-lien statute, which expressly requires; continuity of work. Berry v. Turner, 45 Wis. 105, also-cited, is to the effect that work done after completion of a contract, pursuant to a settlement for breach thereof does not count in determining the time within which the’ lien may be-filed for indebtedness accruing under the contract. Numer•ous other cases are cited to our attention all of wbicb have been examined. We fail to discover that any of them more closely bear on the question in hand than those specially referred to. Doubtless, such delay in completing a contract as to indicate either full performance, or abandonment of the work, so clearly as to render failure to make inquiries in respect to the matter excusable, would be binding on the lien claimant upon principles of estoppel in pais. The trial court found here that there was no unreasonable delay, and we do not see our way clear to disturb that decision.

It seems that counsel are in error in their position that the trial court decided that a lien can be acquired, or the time for filing a lien petition extended, by the commission of a trespass. When the last act under the contract was performed the person respondents contracted with was still in possession of the premises, and so far as we can discover, neither she nor any one else prohibited them from completing their work. 'The trial court, doubtless, found that there was no such prohibition, and that if it were otherwise, their willingness to complete their work was sufficient to save their right of lieu for work already done. It may be that if one sell land while lienable work is in progress thereon under a contract, the license incident to the contract to enter upon the premises might be terminated by the new owner, but he could not by any mere act of his defeat the lien remedy of the contractor for work already done. If he refused to allow completion of the contract an offer to do so would be equivalent to performance, as regards the commencement of the time limited by law for filing the lien petition for Avork and material already furnished. Otherwise the remedy under the lien statute might in many cases be defeated by sale of the realty pending the execution of a contract to do lienable Avork thereon.

There are no other questions suggested for consideration deemed to be of sufficient importance to call for special treatment.

'By the Gourt. — The judgment is affirmed.