Opinion ID: 1646498
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Competency of witness to testify on breach of warranty.

Text: Oliver was questioned concerning the fair value of the materials obtained from Miles Homes. Defendants objected there was no foundation laid and that Oliver was not competent to testify to the value. The objection was overruled. It developed the question confused the witness, and it was thereafter reframed without this objection being interposed. In any event and without resort to the failure of defendants to preserve the error, we hold Oliver was competent to testify on this issue. Defendants concede the owner of personal property is generally competent to testify as to its value. See Johnson v. Scott, 258 Iowa 1267, 142 N.W.2d 460 (1966); Reed v. Bunger, 255 Iowa 322, 122 N.W.2d 290 (1963). But defendants argue before the owner so testifies he must affirmatively establish he has knowledge of value. Assuming, without deciding, this to be true, we believe plaintiff adequately showed his knowledge of value. Before testifying about value Oliver testified he had worked as a laborer in constructing residential housing, and had purchased materials locally to replace materials not delivered or delivered in inferior condition by Miles Homes. Defendants concede Oliver's skill as a builder was demonstrated in the house construction. We hold all this was minimally sufficient to establish a foundation to inquire of Oliver about the value of building materials received. Defendants argue further, In question of damages here the injury complained of consists of distinct elements, it is not competent to ask a witness to make a general estimate of damages, but he should be asked to make a list of specific items separately. Prior to testifying as to the fair and reasonable value of the materials delivered, Oliver had testified in detail certain materials, including rafters, floor joists, stairwell, sheeting, electrical items, plumbing items, and hot water system boiler, were defective, inferior, or missing. He also described defendants' novel method of unloading material upon delivery, in which the truck was accelerated backwards and suddenly stopped, projecting the components off the truck to the ground. In these circumstances we hold it was within trial court's discretion to permit the witness, after he had stated he had been damaged and in what particulars, to then state the value of all the materials delivered to him and the value the materials would have had if they had been as warranted. The amount the witness affixed to each individual item was properly left to be developed on cross-examination. See Dougherty v. Stewart, 43 Iowa 648 (1876).