Davidson v. Clearman

380 S.W.2d 836, 1964 Tex. App. LEXIS 2661
CourtCourt of Appeals of Texas
DecidedJune 26, 1964
DocketNo. 16526
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 380 S.W.2d 836 (Davidson v. Clearman) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Davidson v. Clearman, 380 S.W.2d 836, 1964 Tex. App. LEXIS 2661 (Tex. Ct. App. 1964).

Opinion

LANGDON, Justice.

V. R. Clearman, a contractor, appellee laerein, instituted suit against John L. •Davidson and wife, Jean, appellants, on a mechanic’s lien note ($28,750.00) signed by them on August 26, 1961, plus “extras” or changes less a $4,000.00 credit and fore- ■ closure of a mechanic’s lien contract of even date securing said note with 10% in'.terest from January 1, 1962, and $2,500.00 in attorney’s fees.

The appellants filed an answer and cross-action alleging appellee failed to perform, enumerating some 30 or more defects and omissions on his part, and sought damages for his failure to substantially complete the contract.

By trial amendment appellee in alternative counts sought (1) to recover the contract price plus “extras” less the amount reasonably necessary to remedy any defects and (2) the reasonable value of the materials furnished and labor performed by him less the $4,000.00 credit with 10% interest from December 26, 1961, attorney’s fees and foreclosure of the lien.

The mechanic’s lien contract involved herein covered “extras” or changes and contained the following provision: “It is further agreed that a failure to complete said improvements, or failure to complete the same according to contract, shall not defeat said indebtedness and lien, but in such case the indebtedness and lien upon said premises and improvements shall exist in favor of said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, for said contract price, less such an amount as would be reasonably necessary to complete said improvements according to the said plans and specifications.”

The case was tried to a jury and judgment, based upon the jury verdict, was rendered by the court on August 30, 1963. It was in the amount of $23,150.00 representing $27,150.00 found by the jury to be the reasonable value of labor and materials furnished by appellee less the credit of $4,000.-00. It further provided for 10% interest on $23,150.00 from February 15, 1962, to the date of judgment amounting to $3,511.-00; attorney’s fees in the sum of $2,500.00 ; foreclosure of the mechanic’s and material-man’s lien; interest at 10% on $23,150.00 from date of judgment until paid and 6% interest on the $2,500.00 attorney’s fees from date of judgment until paid. The total judgment including $23,150.00, $3,511.00 interest and $2,500.00 attorney’s fees amounted to $29,161.00.

[839]*839The appellants’ appeal is based upon thirteen points of error aimed chiefly at special issue No. 4 which the jury answered adversely to them. We affirm.

In answer to special issue No. 3 the jury found that the contract was not substantially performed by appellee and in answer to No. 4 that he was prevented from substantial performance by the acts and conduct of defendants or H. B. Portwood. (Mr. Portwood, father of Mrs. Davidson, was duly authorized to act as agent for appellants.)

Appellants contend that special issue No. 4 is not an ultimate issue, is too general, permits speculation by the jury and is not supported by the pleadings. They further contend by their brief that the issue should have inquired as to whether appellee was “wrongfully” prevented from substantial performance. Additionally appellants complain of the court’s failure to render judgment notwithstanding the jury’s answer to No. 4 and that it is not supported by any evidence and is contrary to the overwhelming weight and preponderance of the evidence.

In Kleiner v. Eubank, 358 S.W.2d 902 (Austin Civ.App., 1962, writ ref., n. r. e.), the court had under consideration an issue almost identical to the one here involved to which similar objections were made. Based upon that holding and authorities cited therein we are of the opinion that special issue No. 4 was properly submitted and under our examination of the record supported by the pleadings.

On the no evidence point we must consider the evidence which in its most favorable light will support the findings of the jury. Biggers v. Continental Bus System, 157 Tex. 351, 303 S.W.2d 359 (1957); Dillard v. Griffin, 341 S.W.2d 696 (Fort Worth Civ.App., 1960, writ ref., n. r. e.) ; Henderson v. Smith, 354 S.W.2d 429 (Fort Worth Civ.App., 1962, no writ hist.). In the application of this test we have concluded that the evidence supports the submission of and the jury’s answer to such issue.

In the light of the entire record we have concluded that the finding of the jury is not against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence but on the contrary is amply supported thereby.

The appellants further claim the court erred in awarding appellee (1) interest at 10% from February 15, 1962, (2) attorney’s fees, and (3) in adjudging court costs against them.

Rule 131, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, provides the successful party to a suit shall recover of his adversary all costs incurred therein except where otherwise provided. Since the appellee was the successful party the court correctly assessed the costs against the appellants. Good cause to authorize the court to adjudge the costs otherwise than above provided was not shown. Rule 141, T.R.C.P.

The mechanic’s lien note sued upon provided for reasonable attorney’s fees. It was stipulated that $2,500.00 was reasonable. The appellants now contend that since appellee recovered judgment on a quantum meruit he cannot recover under the contract. That since he did not perform the contract he cannot maintain an action on any part thereof. We find no merit to this contention. See Harrop v. National Loan & Inv. Co., 204 S.W. 878 (Fort Worth Civ.App., 1918, refused), and Galbraith-Foxworth Lumber Co. v. Long, 5 S.W.2d 162 (Dallas Civ.App., 1928, writ refused).

The mechanic’s lien note and contract provided that all past due principal and interest on this note shall bear interest at 10% per annum. The contract contemplated completion of the house in 120 days which would have placed the completion date at approximately December 26,' 1961. We are of the opinion that the note actually matured at an earlier date when the appellee was told to stay away from the [840]*840premises. Thus, the court did not err in allowing interest beginning at a later date, February 15, 1962, the date on which the appellants moved into the residence in question, to the date of the judgment. While the note provided for 10% interest on all past due interest and principal the judgment fails to award such interest on the accrued interest in the sum of $3,511.00. Both interest and attorney’s fees provided for in a mechanic’s lien contract, of which the note is an integral part, are recoverable in an action for partial completion under such a contract. Kleiner v. Eubank, supra. The rule is applicable here since according to the jury the appellee was prevented from completion of the contract by the acts of appellants or their agent and thus the provisions of the lien apply without any impairment.

In Harrop v. National Loan & Inv. Co., supra, this court had on appeal from the District Court of Denton County a case very similar to this.

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Related

In Re Moussa
93 B.R. 96 (N.D. Texas, 1988)
Davidson v. Clearman
391 S.W.2d 48 (Texas Supreme Court, 1965)

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Bluebook (online)
380 S.W.2d 836, 1964 Tex. App. LEXIS 2661, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/davidson-v-clearman-texapp-1964.