If the owner is compelled to complete his building, structure, or railroad, or any part thereof undertaken by a general contractor in consequence of the failure or refusal of the general contractor to do so, the amount expended by the owner for such completion shall have priority over all mechanics' liens which have been or may be placed on such building, structure, or railroad by such general contractor, a subcontractor under him, or any person furnishing labor or materials to either of them.
Code 1919, § 6432.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 43 - Mechanics' and Certain Other Liens
Chapter 1 - Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens
§ 43-2. Structures, materials, etc., deemed permanently annexed to freehold
§ 43-3. Lien for work done and materials furnished; waiver of right to file or enforce lien
§ 43-4. Perfection of lien by general contractor; recordation and notice
§ 43-4.1. Liens to be recorded in deed books and indexed in general index of deeds
§ 43-5. Sufficiency of memorandum and affidavit required by § 43-4
§ 43-8. Sufficiency of memorandum, affidavit and notice required by § 43-7
§ 43-10. Sufficiency of memorandum, affidavit and notice required by § 43-9
§ 43-13.1. Use of lien waiver form; forgery or signing without authority
§ 43-13.2. When an affidavit or a signed statement of payment required of owner prior to sale
§ 43-15. Inaccuracies in memorandum or description not affecting lien
§ 43-16. What owner may do when contractor fails or refuses to complete building, etc.
§ 43-17. Limitation on suit to enforce lien
§ 43-17.1. Hearing on validity of lien
§ 43-18. Lien of general contractor to inure to benefit of subcontractor
§ 43-19. Validity and priority of lien not affected by assignments
§ 43-20. Extent of lien where owner has less than fee in land
§ 43-21. Priorities between mechanics' and other liens