Opinion ID: 2072758
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Lien of M & N Builders

Text: M & N Builders had an oral contract with Hayle to install cabinets and countertops in the Metram project. Hayle had a written contract with First Minnesota to install these units at a total price of $5,280. Mr. Charles Norton, vice president of M & N, testified that M & N was to be paid by Hayle a total of $3,960, or $30 times 132 units. He further testified that M & N had been paid $1,800, thus arriving at the lien amount of $2,160. The trial court found the lien valid in this amount. Hayle's contract with First Minnesota for the cabinets expressly prohibits subletting without the written consent of the contractor. [2] No evidence of written consent by First Minnesota to the oral assignment was introduced at trial; Norton of M & N testified he had never seen a written assignment. While the oral contract alleged by M & N and not denied by Hayle is probably sufficient for M & N to recover from Hayle for the work it performed, it does not warrant shifting this liability to Metram through First Minnesota, which did not consent in writing to the assignment. M & N must look to Hayle for paymentthe oral contract between these two will not support the lien found by the trial court.