“Work of improvement” means the entire structure or scheme of improvement as a whole, including, without limitation, all work, materials and equipment to be used in or for the construction, alteration or repair of the property or any improvement thereon, whether under multiple prime contracts or a single prime contract except as follows:

1. 1. If a scheme of improvement consists of the construction of two or more separate buildings and each building is constructed upon a separate legal parcel of land and pursuant to a separate prime contract for only that building, then each building shall be deemed a separate work of improvement; and

2. 2. If the improvement of the site is provided for in a prime contract that is separate from all prime contracts for the construction of one or more buildings on the property, and if the improvement of the site was contemplated by the contracts to be a separate work of improvement to be completed before the commencement of construction of the buildings, the improvement of the site shall be deemed a separate work of improvement from the construction of the buildings and the commencement of construction of the improvement of the site does not constitute the commencement of construction of the buildings. As used in this subsection, “improvement of the site” means the development or enhancement of the property, preparatory to the commencement of construction of a building, and includes:

   1. (a) The demolition or removal of improvements, trees or other vegetation;
   2. (b) The drilling of test holes;
   3. (c) Grading, grubbing, filling or excavating;
   4. (d) Constructing or installing sewers or other public utilities; or
   5. (e) Constructing a vault, cellar or room under sidewalks or making improvements to the sidewalks in front of or adjoining the property.

(Added to NRS by 2003, 2590)