West Virginia law provides protection to contractors in privity of contract with the owner of the structure and/or real property; subcontractors in privity of contract with the contractor; furnishers of materials, machinery, or other equipment or supplies necessary to the completion of such building, structure or improvement to the owner, his contractor or his subcontractor; and to workmen, artisans, mechanics, laborers or providers of other services to the owner, his contractor or subcontractor. Architects, surveyors, engineers, and landscape architects are also provided protection by these statutes. W. Va. Code 38-2-1 through 38-2-6.
Only those persons enumerated in the statutory framework are accorded the protection of the lien provided. It has been held that W. Va. Code sections (38-2-1 through 38-2-6) provide liens only to general contractors, subcontractors, and those contracting with them. Beyond those three classes, the statute affords no protection.