A major pipeline construction project in Idaho left subcontractors unpaid when the general contractor went bankrupt. Subcontractors sued the project owner (Northwest Pipeline) for over $3 million using mechanic's lien claims. The Idaho Supreme Court ruled that equipment lessors, insurance providers, and fuel vendors cannot file mechanic's liens because they don't provide labor or materials actually used in the construction. Only those who supply labor or materials incorporated into the project can claim liens.
Equipment rental companies cannot file mechanic's liens—only those providing labor or materials that become part of the project can lien
Insurance providers and fuel vendors are not protected by mechanic's lien statutes in Idaho