Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between construction date and mechanic's lien priority?

In terms of mechanic's liens, the priority of these liens is primarily determined by the date of the work performed or materials supplied rather than the construction date itself. Generally, a mechanic's lien takes effect as of the time the labor was performed or the materials were supplied. Therefore, if two liens are filed on the same property, the one that corresponds to the work or materials provided first will typically take priority, regardless of when the actual construction started.

This concept is critical because it underscores the idea that later liens do not automatically have priority over earlier ones. This aligns with the accurate statement regarding the priority of mechanic's liens: subsequent liens do not universally have priority over all others; instead, they compete against the timeline of when the work was completed or materials were supplied. Hence, if the first statement presented in the question indicates that subsequent liens have priority over all, it is false, while the second statement, which likely corrects or clarifies this point, is true.

Understanding this relationship helps protect the rights of those who provide labor and materials, ensuring that their contributions are prioritized based on the specific timing of their work or supply rather than on the broader construction timeline.