Opinion ID: 2323193
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The trial court erred in allowing evidence of the sale of lots.

Text: The plaintiffs argue that the trial court erred in allowing irrelevant evidence of lot sales, which prejudiced the plaintiffs by making them appear greedy and overreaching. Plaintiff argues that by Farny v. Bestfield Builders, Del.Super., 391 A.2d 212 (1978) the measure of damages on a construction contract is the cost of repair or replacement, and that there should be no admission of evidence which goes to show diminution in value. But as the defense points out, the Farny case seems to allow evidence on the diminution of value: However, in the appropriate case, the jury may properly consider both the costs of restoration and the before and after value of the land itself. In instances where the costs of replacement are unreasonable or excessive in relation to the damage to the land itself, the Court will, in its discretion, allow the jury to consider more than one measure of damage in order to permit flexibility and achieve a just and reasonable result. Id. at 213-14. Again, we do not consider this an abuse of discretion in submitting the issue to the jury.