Art Floor Co. v. Anthony's Pier Four, Inc.

1982 Mass. App. Div. 115, 1982 Mass. App. Div. LEXIS 82
CourtMassachusetts District Court, Appellate Division
DecidedApril 30, 1982
StatusPublished

This text of 1982 Mass. App. Div. 115 (Art Floor Co. v. Anthony's Pier Four, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Massachusetts District Court, Appellate Division primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Art Floor Co. v. Anthony's Pier Four, Inc., 1982 Mass. App. Div. 115, 1982 Mass. App. Div. LEXIS 82 (Mass. Ct. App. 1982).

Opinion

Black, J.

This is a civil action in contract brought by the plaintiff, Art Floor Company, Inc., against the defendant, Anthony’ sPier Four, Inc., on May 31; 1979. The complaint sets forth two counts. The first alleges that pursuant to án agreement between the parties the plaintiff undertook to do work for the defendant at its premises in Boston, which involved the removal of old plank flooring, the installation of new flooring, the replacement of the sub-floor, and the sanding and finishing of said floor. The plaintiff further alleges that the defendant owes $8,750.00 for the work done. Count II is in quantum meruit for the same work, the fair value of which the plaintiff alleges to be $12,750.00, of which $4,000.00 has been paid on account, leaving a balance due of $8,750.00.

The defendant answered on July 24, 1979, admitting the existence of the agreement and that the work had been done by the plaintiff, but denying that it had been done in a workmanlike manner or that anything further was due the plaintiff. The answer also set forth several affirmative defenses, namely, failure to set forth a claim upon which relief could be granted, waiver, estoppel, and failure of consideration.

A trial on the merits was heard before Doyle, J., and a finding for the defendant on both counts of the plaintiffs complaint was entered December 18, 1980.

At the trial, there was evidence tending to show:

1. That the plaintiff undertook to re-floor approximately 1,800 square feet in the lounge area. The condition of the floor beforehand was such that representatives of the defendant desired initially only to have a portion of the entire floor done but, after having been quoted a price for the redoing of the entire 1,800 square foot area, they gave the plaintiff approval for the removal of the old ranch plank flooring and the installation of a new flooring to be similar to that which was on the old floor.

2. That the contract between the parties called for a total price for the entire 1,800 square feet of $12,750.00, and, prior to the plaintiff’s beginning its work, it received a $4,000.00 from the defendant.

3. That the new and old floor consisted of a top surface of oak ranch planking, a middle layer of water-resistant felt, and a bottom layer of plywood attached to a concrete substructure. The work consisted of removing and replacing the oak plank flooring and the water-resistant felt screen and plywood where the plaintiff deemed it necessary.

4. That work commenced on October 29, 1978, near the bay window. The work was [116]*116done in segments over seven evenings. Within 24 hours after the plaintiff began the first segment near the bay window, the floor buckled and the plaintiff endeavored to fix it. Defendant called this to the attention of the principal of the plaintiff corporation and asked that, if the floor could not be fixed properly, further work cease immediately. The plaintiffs principal assured defendant that the work could and would be done properly. Within the next week there was more buckling which again was was called to the attention of representatives of the plaintiff.

5. By November 6, 1978, the oak floor was completely installed and even after that installation buckling occurred. Over the next several weeks, the floor began to buckle in additional places. The plaintiff returned on three occasions to attempt to fix the buckling problems. On the third such occasion, the plaintiff told the defendant the floor could not. be fixed properly because of a water condition beneath the floor. The plaintiff refused to do any further work on the floor until the water condition was corrected.

6. Within one to two months after the plaintiff had completed its installation of the oak floor, the defendant tore up approximately 400 square feet of the floor and replaced it, as a stopgap measure, with plywood. A representative of the defendant testified that the cost of lumber fordoing same was approximately $514.50 and it took several days for the defendant’s employees to do the work. The defendant’s manager testified that this aforesaid 400 square foot area was in such a location and condition that the floor needed to be replaced because it was unsafe for customers and waiters and therefore consituted a dangerous condition.

7. Additionally, the restaurant manager of the defendant testified that the appearance of the floor was unsightly and uneven and that certain carpets were purchased to go over the unsightly areas.

8. The defendant introduced into evidence two photographs showing an example of the buckling of the floor shortly after the work was completed by the plaintiff. The photographs were taken of an area not within the area traversed by customers and waiters and therefore not replaced by the defendant.

9. There was also other evidence offered by the plaintiff that would indicate that the work on the floor was installed in a good, workmanlike manner.

At the close of the trial and before arguments, the plaintiff made the following Requests for Rulings:

1. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding for the plaintiff against the defendant. (Allowed)

2. That there is insufficient evidence to warrant a finding for the defendant. (Denied)

3. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that there was an agreement between the parties dated October 16, 1978. (See Court’s Finding of Fact)

4. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the agreement provided that the plaintiff would do flooring work on the premises of Anthony’s Pier Four in Boston as specified in the agreement dated October 16, 1978. (See Court’s Finding of Fact)

5. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the agreement provided for the plaintiff to be paid $12,750.00. (See Court’s Finding of Fact)

6. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the plaintiff has been paid $4,000.00. (See Court’s Finding of Fact)

7. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that there was pre-existing water and/or a water problem under the floor which the plaintiff undertook to replace. (Denied)

8. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the plaintiff called the water problem to the attention of the defendant, its agents, servants or employees. (Denied)

9. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the plaintiff completed its [117]*117flooring job as agreed. (Allowed)

10. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the floor in question buckled. (Denied, See Court’s Finding of Fact)

11. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the buckling of the floor was caused by a pre-existing water problem. (Denied, See Court’s Finding of Fact)

12. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the plaintiff completed its flooring job in a good and workmanlike fashion. (Allowed)

13. That there is sufficient evidence to warrant a finding that the materials used by the plaintiff in its performance of its agreement with the defendant were merchantable and fit for the purpose for which they were used. (Denied)

On December 29, 1980, the plaintiff filed a motion for a new trial, a request for extention of time for filing a Draft Report, and a request for a report.

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Bluebook (online)
1982 Mass. App. Div. 115, 1982 Mass. App. Div. LEXIS 82, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/art-floor-co-v-anthonys-pier-four-inc-massdistctapp-1982.