3 Pa. Super. 643 | Pa. Super. Ct. | 1897
Opinion by
A careful examination of the facts furnished us by the audit- or’s report in this case, the evidence not being printed, satisfies us that the court below committed no error.
While the original building described in the report of the learned auditor, and represented, we suppose, with reasonable-fidelity, in the pictures offered in evidence, was changed, still the changes were merely alterations and additions within the meaning of the Act of May 18, 1887, P. L. 118. This act requires notice of the intention to file a lien to be given the owner or reputed owner, or his agent, at the time of doing work or furnishing materials in and about repairs, alterations, or additions to a building. It is conceded that no notice was given.
The above facts, found by the learned auditor and not excepted to, fully vindicate his conclusion, that the materials furnished by the appellant were for alterations and additions to an existing building, and that not having given the notice required by law, the appellant was not entitled to a lien.
In Seifert’s Appeal, 158 Pa. 57, a case in its main facts not unlike the present one, the owner of a two-story frame building, having a width of twenty-two and a depth of sixty feet, the lower part used as a store, and the upper as a dwelling, built
That the union of the new and old buildings has resulted as the learned auditor says in “ one harmonious whole ” stamped “ with a new and distinctive character ” is not enough to make the structure a new building in the eye of the law. As the learned auditor adds, by way of explanation, “ nevertheless the fact remains, that this effect or change of appearance is the result of an addition or extension harmonizing with the materials and architecture of the original building, and not caused by any material change in the old building itself. That still remains practically untouched.”
A modern architect, by adding to an old building two or three porches, a gable or two, two or three dormer windows, changing the chimney tops, and repainting the whole, can at a comparatively small cost so change the appearance of the original structure, that its owner, if absent during the progress of the improvements, might not recognize it on his return, save by the surroundings; still these things would after all be merely alterations, additions, and repairs.
Cases may occur where the extent, character, and value of the additions are, comparatively speaking, so costly and great as to make the original building only worth considering as an element of the new. Whenever this happens, the courts will not hesitate to apply the rule compressed in the maxim, “ De minimis lex non curat.” The present case is not of that character.
It is not necessary to add anything farther to what is contained in the report of the learned auditor and the opinion of the learned judge of the court below.
Decree affirmed and appellant directed to pay the costs of the appeal.