Opinion ID: 2038458
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Need to Show Benefit.

Text: In describing the elements of an action on an implied contract, the court of appeals stated in Iowa Waste Systems, Inc. v. Buchanan County, that the party seeking recovery must show: (1) the services were carried out under such circumstances as to give the recipient reason to understand: (a) they were performed for him and not some other person, and (b) they were not rendered gratuitously, but with the expectation of compensation from the recipient; and (2) the services were beneficial to the recipient. 617 N.W.2d 23, 30 (Iowa Ct.App.2000) (quoting Bloomgarden v. Coyer, 479 F.2d 201, 208-09 (D.C.Cir.1973) (footnote omitted)) (emphasis added). In applying the italicized language in Iowa Waste Systems to the present controversy, it was the conclusion of the court of appeals that Roger's' services conferred no benefit on Nichols. We disagree. There was substantial evidence in the record to support a finding that, unless and until an effort was made to locate the subterranean sewer system, the city refused to allow the project to proceed. Consequently, it was necessary to the successful completion of the project that the effort be made. The fact that examination of the brick wall surrounding the underground creek indicated that it was unfeasible to use that source of drainage does not alter the fact that the project was stalemated until drainage into the underground creek was fully explored and rejected. The district court properly concluded that Roger's' services conferred a benefit on Nichols.