Court Opinion

ID: 9676789
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:33:16.282778+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:51.216060
License: Public Domain

ON MOTION FOR REHEARING OR TO TRANSFER CASE
PER CURIAM.
Appellant’s motion for a rehearing or to transfer the case to the Supreme Court assigns as his sole ground therefor that the one point raised on appeal was not determined by this court’s opinion. He correctly points out that the single point submitted on appeal is “that the court erred in finding appellant not entitled to recover anything on a quantum meruit basis”. He asserts that the question whether or not appellant proved a contract was eliminated by him in this appeal and is not an issue therein.
The sole point relied on, above quoted, was liberally accepted by this court, as complying with Rule 83.05(e) and it was considered tantamount to a contention that the evidence was insufficient to support the judgment of the trial court. Because the case was tried without a jury, such point could be considered on appeal whether or not raised in the trial court. Section 510.-310(4) RSMo 1959, V.A.M.S. Rule 73.01 (d).
It was appellant’s burden to prove the reasonable value of his alleged additional services as a contractor on the job. In “a suit on quantum meruit a failure to prove reasonable value of the services is fatal to recovery.” Hutchinson v. Swope, Mo.App., 256 S.W. 134, 135. There was no evidence of the reasonable value of such alleged additional services as a contractor except an oral contract pleaded by the appellant and testified to by him, whereby, according to his testimony, the respondent agreed to pay the appellant, in addition to his wages, 7 percent of the total cost of the building as a contractor’s fee. Such evidence of such a contract thereupon became prima facie evidence, and the only evidence, of the reasonable value of such alleged services as respondent’s contractor, not to exceed the contract price. Oliver L. Taetz, Inc. v. Groff, 363 Mo. 825, 253 S.W.2d 824, 825.
Respondent, the only other witness to the employment agreement, definitely denied making any contract to pay appellant 7 percent of the total cost of the building or any other sum as additional compensation to appellant for alleged services as a contractor. If such contract was not so made, then the vital element of appellant’s count on quantum meruit for services as contractor namely, the reasonable value thereof, has not been established, Taetz v. Groff, supra. Hence the decisive issue on this appeal, as stated in the opinion, is one of fact as to whether the parties entered into the agreement as pleaded and testified to by the appellant respecting such services. As to the credibility of the appellant and respondent regarding their conflicting testimony on such fact issue, the opinion defers to the trial court.
The contention of the appellant that the sole issue raised by the appeal was never determined, is without merit. The motion should be overruled. It is so ordered.