Case Name: Lachlan McPherson et al. vs. John Greenwell
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1905-06-02
Citations: 27 R.I. 178
Docket Number: 
Parties: Lachlan McPherson et al. vs. John Greenwell.
Judges: 
Reporter: Rhode Island Reports
Volume: 27
Pages: 178–181

Head Matter:
Lachlan McPherson et al. vs. John Greenwell.
PROVIDENCE
JUNE 2, 1905.
Pbesent: Douglas, C. J., Blodgett and Dubois, JJ.
(1) Mechanic’s bien. Account or Demand.
In a petition for mechanic’s lien, the paper filed by petitioners as a commencement of legal process was as follows: “A. to B., debtor. November 30, 1904. To amount due under written contract for the erection of a house on the corner oí Berkshire and Salina Streets in the City of Providence, $1,550; for extra work done on said house, $200, total $1,750.”
Held, that the first item was a sufficient compliance with the requirements of the statute, as the sums due the petitioners were fixed by contract, and not dependent upon an account.
Held, further, that the item for extra work was not sufficient. The sum stated was not agreed upon or fixed, but was the result of computation, the elements of which should have been the subject of an account.
(2) Mechanic’s Lien. Petition.
A petition for mechanic’s lien filed under the provisions of section 9, chapter 206, of the General Laws, which contains a copy of the contract between the parties, but which fails to state how far the work has progressed, what installments are due and what payments hav ebeen received, is faulty, but is subject to amendment.
Petition for Mechanic’s Lien. Heard on motion to dismiss, and motion denied.

Opinion:
Douglas, C. J.
The petitioners claim a mechanic's lien on a house which they contracted to build for the defendants.
The paper filed by them in this case as the commencement of legal process is as follows:
" Account.
"John and Emily C. Greenwell,
"To Lachlan, Ewen and Ered McPherson, doing business in the City of Providence as McPherson & Co., Dr. 1904. Nov. 30. To amount due under written contract for the erection of a house on the corner of Berkshire and
Salina Streets in the City of Providence.$1,550 00
For extra work done on said house. 200 00
Total.'.$1,750 00"
A majority of the court think that the first item of this paper reasonably fulfills the requirements of chapter 206 of the General Laws, as interpreted in Goff v. Hosmer, 20 R. I. 91, 94, and in Murphy v. Guisti, 22 R. I. 588 and 26 R. I. 306. The contractors had performed part of the work, which was to be paid for in installments at different stages of the work. These sums were fixed by the contract, not dependent upon an account. They had received a portion of the amount agreed to be paid, and their demand is for the balance.
We think that in the case of a contractor whose compensation is fixed by agreement, and where the amounts paid are as well known to the owner as to himself, the statute should be construed with some liberality. The distinction between the requirements of section'7 and of section 9, pointed out in the case of Murphy v. Guisti, supra, in the 22nd R. I., should not be ignored. The item for extra work done on said house, $200, is not, in our opinion, sufficient. The sum stated was not agreed upon or fixed, but must have been the result of computation. The elements of this computation were the subject of an account which should have been given. The number of days' work and when performed, and the price or prices charged, at least, should appear.
The petition does not set forth the particulars of the com plainants' demand as required by section 9, except inferentially. A copy of the contract is annexed to it, but it does not state how far the work had progressed and what installments were claimed to be due, nor what payments had been received. These items, however, may be supplied by amendment. Murphy v. Guisti, 22 R. I. 588.
The petition when amended may be prosecuted for the amount due on the contract.
Motion to dismiss denied.