Gerald Harris Builder, Inc. v. Jomac Construction Co. (In re Gerald Harris Builder, Inc.)

91 B.R. 505, 1988 Bankr. LEXIS 1594
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Missouri
DecidedSeptember 28, 1988
DocketBankruptcy No. 87-00866-BKC-JJB; Adv. No. 87-0180-BKC-JJB
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 91 B.R. 505 (Gerald Harris Builder, Inc. v. Jomac Construction Co. (In re Gerald Harris Builder, Inc.)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Missouri primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Gerald Harris Builder, Inc. v. Jomac Construction Co. (In re Gerald Harris Builder, Inc.), 91 B.R. 505, 1988 Bankr. LEXIS 1594 (E.D. Mo. 1988).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

JAMES J. BARTA, Chief Judge.

This matter is based upon a five-count complaint alleging various amounts due Plaintiff as a result of a series of business dealings between the Plaintiff and the De[509]*509fendant. Jomac Construction Company, Inc. (Jomac) has filed an affirmative defense alleging that it is owed monies from Gerald Harris Builder, Inc. (GHB).

Most facts essential to this dispute were hotly contested during the long trial of this adversary complaint. The evidence was often confusing, the witnesses’ testimony conflicting, and the Plaintiffs case was somewhat unorganized. As an overview of the more detailed factual analysis which appears later, the following paragraphs set out a synopsis of each count.

In Count I, the Plaintiff requests an accounting of the profit from the construction of a nursing home in Pacific, Missouri, The Pacific Care Center. The Plaintiff asserts that the parties were joint venturers in the project and under the joint venture agreement one-half the profits are due GHB from Jomac. Plaintiff also prays for a money judgment in the amount determined to be due under the accounting.

In Count II, the Plaintiff prays for judgment in the amount of $249,663.63 from Jomac for work GHB performed as a subcontractor in the construction of the Lake Ozark-Osage Beach Waste Water Treatment Plant Project (Lake Ozark Project). The parties entered into a written agreement for the subcontracting of certain work. GHB asserts that this work was in fact completed, and in addition, several other jobs were performed which fall outside the scope of the subcontract. GHB also charges that Jomac owes it for equipment rental for GHB equipment that Jomac used on the project.

Count III involves a subcontract similar to Count II. Jomac was the general contractor on the Highway 63, Boone County, Missouri Project (Highway 63 Project). GHB was a subcontractor which was to perform certain jobs as detailed in the written subcontract. GHB claims it performed certain additional work at the job site for which Jomac is obligated to pay. GHB also prays for damages for Jomac’s use of GHB equipment during this project. The amount of damages plead in the Amended Complaint is $173,427.29.

Count IV is the Plaintiff’s request to declare as void a $450,000.00 note and security agreement executed on behalf of GHB in favor of Jomac. GHB claims there was no consideration for the note as no funds were disbursed under the agreement.

Count V is a prayer for damages arising out of Jomac’s use of GHB equipment and GHB’s performance of certain services on various job sites: (1) Boone County Culvert: Plaintiff requests $76,750.00 for Jo-mac rental and use of GHB equipment; (2) Highway 44 (Crawford County) improvements: Plaintiff requests $19,000.00 for Jo-mac rental and use of GHB equipment; (3) Highway 44 (St. Clair) improvement: Plaintiff requests $12,000.00 for rental of a truck; (4) 1-70 Bridge Project: Plaintiff requests $22,750.00 for rental of equipment.

By affirmative defense, the Defendant alleges GHB is indebted to Jomac in the amount of $588,274.74. This amount was calculated from the alleged amounts owed as balances due Jomac from the Lake Ozark and Highway 63 Projects, plus an amount for Jomac’s clerical time expended, and for interest due on the $450,000.00 note referred to in Count IV. At trial, these amounts were reduced to conform to the evidence.

Under the circumstances of this case, it is appropriate to give a brief description of the entities involved here. The Plaintiff, Gerald Harris Builder, Inc., is owned by Gerald and Norma Harris. A Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Petition was filed for Gerald Harris Builder, Inc. on March 26, 1987. The principal business of the Debtor is general contracting. Gerald Harris is the President of the company and his daughter, Mary Ann Brinkley, is the office person and bookkeeper. Each has a high school education.

GHB first became involved with Jomac in 1983 when John McClure and McClure’s father owned Jomac. Jomac eventually became affiliated with Kloster Building Group, Inc., which is a holding company for certain entities involved in the construction industry. McClure retained his employment with Jomac for a time after Kloster’s [510]*510involvement but left under strained circumstances.

The parties to this action were involved in the three major projects outlined supra and had certain dealings in smaller projects. In the early stages of the relationship, there was apparent harmony, but the honeymoon ended and the disagreements giving rise to this action arose. Each Count of Plaintiffs Amended Complaint shall be addressed in turn.

PROFESSIONAL CARE CENTER

COUNT I

In December, 1985, the parties entered into a standard contract wherein GHB was to be the subcontractor and Jo-mac the general contractor. GHB was to perform excavation, concrete, carpentry, insulation, facia and soffit and light gauge framing. The lump sum to be paid GHB for this work was $407,004.00.

On or about January 31, 1986, Jomac sent a letter to GHB outlining an apparent additional agreement which stated:

“Gerald Harris Builders, Inc. agrees to provide the following in the construction of the Pacific Care Center in consideration for 50% of the profit or loss on the above referenced project:
^'Supervision
*Development of Labor Force required
* Construction Expertise
Cost records will be kept by JOMAC Construction Company, Inc.”

GHB takes the position that Jomac and GHB were joint venturers in this project. The Defendant claims the relationship was only of subcontractor and contractor. The Court finds, however, that the relationship on this project was more than merely a contractor/subcontractor. The January 31, 1986 letter is evidence of an agreement to share in the profit or loss in this project. This acceptance of the risk of loss removed the relationship from one of mere contractor to subcontractor. Whether it is to be considered a joint venture or a partnership or some loose-structured ambiguous entity is not determinative of any substantive issue remaining between the parties regarding this project.

This Count of the amended complaint sought an accounting. The evidence at trial was that the books and records had been produced for the Plaintiff’s accountant in the framework of this case. An accounting is no longer necessary.

As a result of Plaintiffs review of the books and records regarding this project, the Court must determine several issues regarding compilation of profit under the January 31, 1986 letter agreement.

A certified public accountant for GHB reviewed the books and records of the Professional Care Center (PCC) construction projects. The parties are in agreement that a bill in the amount of $1,663.90 for Woodward Clyde Consultants was not a proper expense to the PCC Project. At trial, Jomac’s witness admitted that a $150,000.00 loan to the PCC owners was not a proper expense of the project and credit would be given on that point.

One item of contention with regard to the project was the $10,589.10 paid to Kloster Building Group for a management fee. Although this sum was charged during the month of September, there is no evidence that this was to be a fee for the month of September.

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91 B.R. 505, 1988 Bankr. LEXIS 1594, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/gerald-harris-builder-inc-v-jomac-construction-co-in-re-gerald-harris-moed-1988.