Opinion ID: 1382228
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Exclusion of Custom Evidence

Text: (6) Defendant next contends that the trial court erred in excluding certain evidence of industry custom, which evidence assertedly would have supported a finding that plaintiff did not reasonably rely upon defendant's low bid. This evidence would have shown that it is customary for the general contractor, prior to accepting a bid, to disclose to subcontractors the approximate disparity (in either percentage or dollar amounts) between the bids. The proffered testimony was properly rejected as cumulative and of doubtful relevance. At trial, the evidence indicated that ordinarily the various subcontractors' bids are within 5 to 15 percent of each other, and seldom more than 20 percent apart. Defendant's bid in the present case was approximately 40 percent lower than the next lowest bid. The record also discloses, however, that after plaintiff received all bids, its chief estimator (Potts) called defendant's chief estimator (Bass) to confirm defendant's bid. According to Potts, he told Bass that defendant's bid was a hell of a lot lower than 20 percent below the other bids, and he asked Bass to recheck defendant's figures. Bass did so and confirmed the bid, which plaintiff thereupon included in its master bid. The testimony of Bass was in conflict with that of Potts as to the nature of the telephone conversation, Bass saying that Potts told him the bid was in the neighborhood of 20 percent below other bids. The trial court and advisory jury evidently disbelieved Bass. The trial court specifically found that Potts advised Bass that defendant's bid was substantially lower than other bids. Moreover, both the court and the jury (responding to a special verdict interrogatory) found that plaintiff reasonably and justifiably relied on defendant's bid. In light of the foregoing testimony, and the resolution by court and jury of its conflicts, it is not reasonably likely that the proffered custom evidence would have produced a different verdict. Plaintiff never disputed the existence of a custom to warn subcontractors of unusually low bids; in fact, Potts' testimony was directed toward showing that plaintiff complied with such a custom by notifying defendant of its substantially lower bid and asking for confirmation thereof. We conclude that the court did not err in excluding the evidence.