Court Opinion

ID: 7357458
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-26 04:54:29.070608+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:20:29.433518
License: Public Domain

PENDLETON, J.
The action is to recover a balance alleged to be, due under a contract to furnish labor and materials in the installation" of a boiler for a fixed sum. The defense was accord and satisfaction and that there were defects in the work, which defendants were compelled to have in part done over, and after deducting such reasonable cost defendants paid plaintiff the balance of the contract price.
The defense of accord and satisfaction was not made out on the-' evidence. It appeared at the trial that there were defects in the work, of which plaintiff was notified, and which it agreed to rectify. De-' fendants, because they were dissatisfied with the original subcontractor employed by plaintiff, refused to allow it to do the work and had it completed by others at what, apparently, was conceded to be a reasonable cost, and paid plaintiff the balance of its bill, less this amount. The controversy is entirely in regard to this latter amount. The trial court gave judgment for plaintiff. This was error. Assuming plaintiff had the right to go in and remedy the defects, and then recover the full amount of its bill, if defendants prevented it so doing, the damages suffered by them could be, at most, the difference between the *908reasonable cost of doing the work and the balance due, and this is exactly what defendants paid it.
In a suit for the agreed price on the ground of substantial performance, any expenses necessary to complete the work must be allowed. Plaintiff’s recovery is the agreed price, less the cost to complete. This seems an analogous case, or, if it be an action for not allowing to complete, the same rule of damages applies.
Judgment reversed, with costs, and complaint dismissed, with costs.
SHE ARM, J.
I agree that the judgment should be reversed, and the complaint dismissed. Plaintiff did not perform its contract. It was so notified, and was called upon to perform, and it agreed to do the work necessary to make the job complete and satisfactory. Defendant waited nearly three weeks, at great inconvenience, owing to the season and the requirements of their business, and then, as they were justified in doing, and had a legal right to do, finished the job themselves.
GUY, J., dissents.