Eldridge v. Fuhr

| Mo. Ct. App. | Oct 9, 1894

Biggs, J.

This is an action on a contractor’s bond. The defendant Euhr entered entered into a written contract with the plaintiff, in which he agreed to furnish the materials and do the work (except excavation for foundation walls and cellar) in the construction of a brick building. The contract price was $4,000, to be paid in installments as the work progressed, except the last payment of $500 which was not to be paid until the completion of the building, according to contract. To secure the plaintiff in the faithful performance of this contract the defendant Euhr as principal, .and his codefendants as sureties, executed and delivered the bond in suit.

The petition sets forth in three counts various alleged breaches of the bond. In the first count it was charged that Euhr had failed in several particulars to construct the building in conformity with the contract and specifications; in the second, that he had failed to complete the building within the time prescribed; and in the third, that he had failed to deliver the building free of all-liens and claims. The aggregate amount of damage claimed is $1,823.02, less the sum of $500, balance of contract price.

The sureties filed a separate answer, in which, among other things, they alleged that the original contract had in several particulars been materially changed without their knowledge and consent, and that by reason thereof they were released from their obligation. The separate answer of Euhr was a general denial. It also contained averments as to the changes or alterations alleged in the answer of the sureties, and, in addition, set forth a counterclaim for $608.40, the value of extra work resulting from changes alleged to have been ordered by the plaintiff in the original plans. Eor that amount, and the said sum of $500 due under the original contract, a judgment was asked.

In the replication the plaintiff admitted that by his consent and direction the original contract had been departed from by adding two extra doors, the construction of a skylight, and the use of three barrels of cement, of the total value of $52.70. For this amount it was conceded that Fuhr was entitled to credit. All other new or affirmative matter in both answers was denied.

At the conclusion of 'the evidence the court on its own motion instructed the jury as follows: “The court instructs the jury that under the law, pleadings, admissions and evidence in the case, the plaintiff is not entitled to recover on the first and second counts in his petition; and that on the third count plaintiff is entitled to recover the amount paid out by him in excess of the contract price, less the $52.70 admitted in the plaintiff’s replication to be an offset in favor of the defendants, with six per cent, per annum interest thereon from March 31, 1893.” Under this instruction the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff for $509, upon which judgment was entered. All parties filed motions for new trial, and all have appealed.

o As we are of opinion that, under the conceded facts, the judgment as to the sureties must be reversed, we will dispose of that matter first.

Section 3 of the contract reads: “Should any alteration be required in the work, as described by the drawings or specifications, a fair and reasonable valuation of the work added or omitted shall be made by the architect, and the sum herein agreed to be paid for the work according to the original specifications shall be increased or diminished as the case may be. In case such a valuation is not agreed to, the contractor shall proceed with the alteration upon the. written order of the owner, and the valuation of the work added or omitted shall be referred to three (3) arbitrators (no one of whom shall be personally connected with the work to which these presents refer), to be appointed as follows: One by each of the parties to this contract and the third by the two thus chosen; the decision of any two of whomshall be final andbinding, and each of theparties hereto shall pay one-half of the expenses of such reference.” The specifications, which are expressly made a part of the contract, contain the following: “The owner reserves the right * * * to order, through the architect, any change in the work without impairing the contract, the value of such changes to be mutually agreed on in writing between the architect and contractor beforehand. In default of such agreement, the architect will fix such valuations.”

The plaintiff, in his replication and testimony, admitted that the door and skylight had been added on his verbal order, and that the three barrels of cement were not included in the contract, and that, under the decision of the architect beforehand, he agreed to pay for the same as extra materials. It was conceded by the plaintiff that neither he nor the architect had agreed with Ruhr as to the cost of the extras, and that the architect had not fixed or attempted to fix the cost thereof. By the express terms of the contract, the plaintiff reserved the right, by the observance of certain formalities, to order changes in the building. If these formalities had been observed, it is clear that the original contract would have been in no way changed, and the sureties would have remained bound. But it is undisputed that, in ordering the additions, the contract was disregarded. Did this release the sureties? Let us examine the question in the light of recent adjudications in this state.

In the recent case of Beers v. Wolf, 116 Mo. 179" court="Mo." date_filed="1893-05-22" href="https://app.midpage.ai/document/beers-v-wolf-8010938?utm_source=webapp" opinion_id="8010938">116 Mo. 179, the supreme court had under consideration the same question, which arose under a similar state of facts. There the building contract contained the following clauses: “The superintendent shall be at liberty to make any deviation from, or alteration in, the plan, form, construction, detail and execution described by-the drawings and specifications, without invalidating or rendering void this contract, and, in case of any difference in the expense, an addition to or abatement from the contract price shall be made, and the same shall be determined by the architect; and in case any such alteration or change shall be made or directed by the said superintendent as aforesaid in the plans, drawings and construction of the aforesaid building, and in case of any omission or addition to said building being required by spid superintendent, the cost and expense thereof is to be agreed upon in writing, and such agreement is to be signed by said parties of the second part and superintendent before the same is done, or before any allowance therefor can be claimed; and, in case of any failure to so agree, the same shall be completed on the original plan.” It appeared that various changes had been made in the work, but that, in making the changes, the conditions of the contract had not been observed, and there was no evidence that the sureties consented to the changes. The court held that the sureties were released.

In the case of Killoren v. Meehan, 55 Mo. App. 427" court="Mo. Ct. App." date_filed="1893-12-05" href="https://app.midpage.ai/document/killoren-v-meehan-8260650?utm_source=webapp" opinion_id="8260650">55 Mo. App. 427, we had the same question under consideration. The building contract in that case contained the following clause: “The superintendent shall be at liberty to make any deviation from, or alteration in, the plan, form, construction, detail and execution described by the drawings and specifications, without invalidating or rendering void this contract, and in case of any difference in the expense, an addition to, or abatement . from, the contract price shall be made, and the same shall be determined by the architect; and, in case any such alteration or change shall be made or directed by said superintendent as aforesaid, in the plans, drawings and construction of the aforesaid buildings, and in case of any omission or addition to said buildings being ’ required by said superintendent, the cost and expense thereof is to be agreed upon in writing, and such agreement is to be signed by said parties of the second part (Meehan and Creagen) and superintendent before the same is done or before any allowance therefor can be claimed, and, in case of any failure to so agree, the same shall be completed upon the original plan.” 'Inthat case the evidence was conflicting as to the facts attending the alterations and additions to the work. We decided that, if the changes were made under the contract, and the conditions had not been complied with, the surety could not be held. The foregoing decisions rest on the principle of law, which is universal, that a surety has a right to stand upon the strict letter of his contract.

In the case at bar, the additions to the work were made solely on the verbal order of plaintiff. This was in direct violation of the conditions of the very contract for the performance of which the sureties were bound. As the alterations were made without the consent of the sureties, it follows that they are released.

In reference to the counterclaim of the defendant • Euhr, the judgment of the circuit court will be sustained. The evidence in support of it merely shows that certain extras were furnished, without showing that the conditions of the contract in reference thereto had been complied with.

It is also urged that the action is brought on the theory that the contract was carried out as made, whereas the evidence showed that "the work was performed under a modified agreement, and that, .therefore, the principle that a party can not sue upon one cause of action, and recover upon another, has been violated. The principle as stated is a correct one, but it has no application here. It is not pretended by Euhr that the extras were furnished under an independent agreement apart from the original contract. On the contrary, the evidence for the defendants shows that the extra work was done in view of the original contract, and with the consent of the plaintiff. As the original contract provided for additions and alterations, and as the testimony of Euhr will not admit of the construction that the performance of the extra work was the result of an Independent agreement which would form a distinct matter of settlement (Bruns v. Braun, 35 Mo. App. 337" court="Mo. Ct. App." date_filed="1889-04-02" href="https://app.midpage.ai/document/bruns-v-braun-8259717?utm_source=webapp" opinion_id="8259717">35 Mo. App. 337), there is, we think, no merit in the objection. Under this view the original contract was in no way Impaired or changed as to Fuhr and the plaintiff.

We will now consider the matters complained of by the plaintiff. The second count in the petition was for damages for failure to deliver the house within the time prescribed in the contract. The court by its instruction directed a verdict for the defendants on this count. In this we think the court was right. This claim for damages is based on the following section of the contract: "The contractor shall and will proceed with the said work * * * and shall and will wholly finish the said work * * * on or before the thirteenth day of June, 1892 (provided that the possession of the premises be given the contractor, and lines and levels furnished him, on or before the ninth clay of April, in the year one thousand, eight hundred and ninety-two), and in default thereof the contractor shall pay to the owner two dollars and fifty cen!s ($2.50), for every day thereafter that thesaid work shall remain unfinished, as and for liquidated damages.” The plaintiff admitted that he did not deliver possession of the premises to Euhr until April 20. This admission defeated the claim.

The plaintiff complains chiefly of the refusal of the court to submit his claim for damages under the-first count. Section 12 of the contract provides: “Should the contractor neglect to supply sufficient-materials of the proper quality, or fail in any respect to prosecute the work with promptness and diligence, or fail in the performance of any of the agreements on his-part herein contained, * * * the expense incurred by the owner as herein provided either for furnishing the materials or for furnishing the work, and any damages incurred through such default, shall be audited and' certified by the architect, whose certificate thereon shall be conclusive upon the parties.”

The petition, after stating the particulars in which the defendant Euhr had failed to complete the building-as per contract, contained the further allegation that the architect had certified in writing that the building had not, in the particulars, named been completed according to the contract, and that the difference between the value of the work as done, and the way and manner in which the same was to be done under the contract, was the sum of $623.77. In answer to-this the defendant Euhr denied that the work had not been completed according to contract, and he averred that the architect, in making the certificate, acted maliciously and capriciously and without cause. The plaintiff read in evidence a certificate given by the architect, in which he stated in what respects the work done did. not comply with the specifications, and that it would require $626.37 to remodel and complete the building according to the contract. The testimony of the architect was also taken, which substantially corroborated. the certificate. He also stated that Euhr had notice of the defects complained of before the certificate was made, and upon request had failed and refused to remedy them. He admitted, however, that Euhr had no notice that he intended to estimate the damages. We can not with any degree of certainty determine why the circuit court, after admitting the certificate and the testimony of the architect in support of it, nonsuited the plaintiff on this breach of the bond. The stipulation, that the certificate and judgment of the architect in respect of the matters stated should be conclusive, is quite usual in building contracts, and its binding force is recognized by all the courts. Williams v. Railroad, Co., 112 Mo. 463" court="Mo." date_filed="1892-11-29" href="https://app.midpage.ai/document/williams-v-chicago-santa-fe--california-railway-co-8010685?utm_source=webapp" opinion_id="8010685">112 Mo. 463; Dinsmore v. Livingston County, 60 Mo. 241" court="Mo." date_filed="1875-05-15" href="https://app.midpage.ai/document/dinsmore-v-livingston-county-8005011?utm_source=webapp" opinion_id="8005011">60 Mo. 241; Neenan v. Donoghue, 50 Mo. 495. These causes, however, hold that if the rejection of the work or the assessment of the damage arises from caprice or malice and is without foundation, the certificate will be invalidated. This, however, would be a matter of defense. Under these authorities we can not understand the ruling on this branch of the case, unless the court was of the opinion that Euhr ought to have had notice that the architect intended to act in the matter. The failure to give Euhr an opportunity to be heard on the quantum of damage, or as to the non-fulfillment of the contract, would not authorize the court to declare as a matter of law that the certificate was invalid, since the contract did not provide for such notice.

Our conclusion on the whole case is that under the conceded facts the sureties are released and the judgment as to them must be reversed. As to the plaintiff and Fuhr the judgment will be reversed and the cause remanded, to be proceeded with in conformity to this opinion.

All the judges concur.