Inland Construction Co. v. City of Pendleton

242 P. 842, 116 Or. 668, 1926 Ore. LEXIS 48

• Court: Oregon Supreme Court
• Decided: October 28, 1925
• Status: Published

Opinion

BELT, J.

This cause, which was tried before the court without a jury, may well be considered thus: (1) Did plaintiff select a proper legal theory upon which to recover, and (2) if so, is there any evidence tending to establish such theory? It is conceded that plaintiff constructed the sewage disposal plant in compliance with the terms of its contract, with the exception of not completing it within the stipulated time. Under such circumstances, where nothing remains to be done except payment for the work performed, plaintiff, at his election, may declare specially on the original contract or generally in indebitatus assumpsit. It will not do for the defendant to allow plaintiff to proceed after expiration of time for performance and accept the fruits of its industry and then say, “It is true you have completed the work, but not within the time agreed. Therefore, I will not pay.” In the light of the record herein, performance within the contract time is not a condition precedent to payment. Defendant has its remedy to counter in liquidated damages. If plaintiff elects to recover on .quantum meruit, as has been done in this case, the special contract governs and determines the amount of recovery, so long as the parties proceeded under it. In other words, the contract price becomes the quantum meruit of the case. As stated in Burgess v. Helm, 24 Nev. 242, 249 (51 Pac. 1025, 1026), cited in West v. Eley, 39 Or. 461 (65 Pac. 798):

“Under a complaint on a quantum meruit for services, where a specified contract is proved, fixing the price for services, the stipulated price becomes the quantum meruit in the case: Fells v. Vestvali, 41 N. Y. (2 Keyes) 152. If the plaintiff was entitled to recover at all, it was on the ground that the services had actually been rendered; and after complete performance of an express contract, there is no reason why a recovery may not be had upon a complaint on quantum meruit (Id.), when the opposite party to the action has not been misled in the defense.”

Also, in support hereof see: Sargent v. Foland, 104 Or. 296 (207 Pac. 349); Toy v. Gong, 87 Or. 454 (170 Pac. 936); Raile v. Peerless American Products Co., 192 App. Div. 506 (182 N. Y. Supp. 721); Jenney Electric Co. v. Branham, 145 Ind. 314 (41 N. E. 448, 33 L. R. A. 395); Randolph v. King et al., 74 Ind. App. 68 (127 N. E. 20); Manning v. Dallas, 73 Cal. 420 (15 Pac. 34). The most that can be contended against such rule is that there is a variance between the allegations and the proof. But in what way is defendant injured or prejudiced? It matters not whether plaintiff proceeds on the express contract or on quantum meruit if the amount of recovery is the same.

If, however, the work performed was not within the contemplation of the parties as expressed in their contract, and there was a “complete change and departure from the terms of the original contract,” recovery may be had for the reasonable value of such work, regardless of the contract price: Hayden v. Astoria, 74 Or. 525 (145 Pac. 1072). The contract governs so far as it can be traced to the work performed, but when the parties no longer proceed under its terms, the law implies an obligation to pay the reasonable value of the services rendered. But it is to be remembered that rescission or abandonment of the contract cannot be predicated on every slight breach thereof nor on deviations or changes that the agreement of the parties contemplates: Gray v. Jones, 47 Or. 40 (81 Pac. 813); Elliott on Contracts, § 3676. It is fundamental that so long as the contract exists, it determines the measure of compensation. After careful consideration we have reached the conclusion that the amended complaint is sufficient and not subject to demurrer. If the facts therein alleged are true, plaintiff would be entitled to recover. If the evidence showed that the work performed was not within the contemplation of the parties as expressed in their written agreement, the amount of recovery would be the reasonable value thereof; but if the contract can be traced to the work performed, the plaintiff’s compensation is determined thereby, and the only remaining- issue, aside from separate defenses hereinafter mentioned, would be whether the city was justified in deducting from the contract price the sum retained by it as liquidated damages.

Let us now consider the facts. First, was the work performed covered by the contract? Secondly, was the failure of the plaintiff to perform its contract within the time specified due to any act or omission on the part of defendant not within the contemplation of the parties? These questions will be considered in the order stated.

There is no merit in the contention that the elimination of two filter beds constituted a departure from the original contract. “Instructions to Bidders” provided:

“The city of Pendleton reserves the right to defer or eliminate entirely from the contract the construe tion of the filter beds * * until further experiments have been made to determine from the nature of filtering material in place as well as the character of the settled effluent from the septic tank the advisability or necessity of constructing such filter bed.”

'The contract relative to change of plans stipulated:

“It is understood and agreed that the city shall have the right to make such changes in the amount, dimensions, or character of the work to be done as may be deemed necessary, or as, in the opinion of the engineer, the interest of the work may require. If any such changes or alterations should diminish the quantity of the work to be done, they shall not constitute a claim for damages for anticipated profits on the work that may be so dispensed with. If they increase the amount of the work to be done, such increase shall be paid for according to the quantity actually done and at the price established for similar work under this contract.”

Furthermore, the parties entered into a separate written agreement modifying’ the original contract concerning filter beds and fixed the price for such work, and the plaintiff was paid accordingly. Hanley, the superintendent for the construction company, called as a witness in behalf of plaintiff, in response to the question, “You are not making any complaint as to the contract (referring to the supplemental agreement)?” answered, “Except as to the time. We couldn’t get done by the 16th of October, because we didn’t get the start; this was the agreement between us.” Such delay, if the same were caused by this change of the plans, did not indicate an intention to abandon the contract. The original agreement was modified with the express consent of plaintiff.

The gravamen of plaintiff’s complaint concerning this phase of the case centers about the alleged breach of warranty by the city concerning the amount of rock to be excavated. In the “Instructions .to Bidders” we find:

“1. Local conditions: Bidders are notified that they must thoroughly examine the plans, the annexed form of proposal, form of contract and specifications, and thoroughly familiarize themselves with all the laws and ordinances pertaining to this improvement. They must also examine and judge for themselves as to the location and character of the proposed work, the amount and quality of material required and work to be done. Ground water conditions and the depth to rocJc must especially be investigated. If there be any doubt or obscurity as to the meaning of any part of the above, it shall be brought to the attention of the engineers in order that the necessary explanation or correction may be made before submitting a bid.”

Bidders were also advised:

“The estimate of quantities of work to be done and the materials to be furnished under the specifications, as attached hereto, is approximate and is given only as a basis of calculation upon which the award of contract shall be made. The city reserves the right to increase or diminish the amount of any class of work as may be deemed necessary.”

In the proposal to do the work the contractor stated:

‘ ‘ ‘ The undersigned bidder declares that he has carefully examined the plans, notice to contractors, instructions to bidders and annexed form of proposal, form of contract and specifications for the Pendleton sewage disposal plant, and that he has made an examination of The site of the proposed work, and has made such investigations as are necessary to determine the character of the material and conditions to be encountered.”

The city made certain test borings which were made known to plaintiff. There is no contention that the city misrepresented to the- contractor the nature or character of the ground conditions as disclosed by these borings. The tests made were for the plaintiff’s inspection. It had as much opportunity as the city to ascertain the amount of rock required to be excavated. The estimates were made for “comparison of bids” and cannot be considered either as representations or warranties. The contractor assumed the risk: Palmberg v. City of Astoria, 112 Or. 353 (228 Pac. 107, 229 Pac. 380). The mere fact that more rock was encountered than anticipated is a hazard of the business in which plaintiff is engaged. In Leary v. Watervliet, 222 N. Y. 337 (118 N. E. 849), we find the following significant language, which we think is particularly applicable to the case at bar:

“On the evidence before us the bid for work was based upon approximate estimates only, and was given and accepted as such. The payments therefor were to be made according to the amount of work performed whether the same was greater or less than the quantities specified in the approximation. The instructions to bidders, the plans and specifications, and the bid, show that the contractors were required to take all responsibility for the work and the amount of the several kinds thereof, the difficulties to be met with in doing the same, the exigencies of the weather and floods, and changes that the commission might make therein, causing an increase or decrease in the work to be done. No fraud or concealment by the commission is alleged. A variation in the estimate by the commission of the work to be done, arising by mistake or inadvertence or by changes of work contemplated, was at the risk of the contractors. # * The plaintiffs had, so far as appears, the same opportunity to make test holes and determine where rock would be found when the excavations were made as members of the commission representing the city.”

The city paid for all rock excavated according to the terms of the contract. In fact, the contractor was compensated on the basis of 776 cubic yards, whereas it excavated only 666 cubic yards. The city, although not obliged to do so under the contract, allowed 100 cubic yards as overbreak. The facts in the instant case do not come within the rule of law announced by this court in Hayden v. Astoria, supra, upon which appellant strongly relies. There, the type of dam to be constructed was radically changed. The engineer unreasonably interfered in' the supervision of the work. There was such a marked difference between the estimates and the amount of work actually performed that the court well said it did not come within the contemplation of the parties. Neither is Hollerbach v. United States, 233 U. S. 165 (58 L. Ed. 898, 34 Sup. Ct. Rep. 553, see, also, Rose’s U. S. Notes); Christie v. United States, 237 U. S. 234 (59 L. Ed. 933, 35 Sup. Ct. Rep. 565); United States v. Spearin, 248 U. S. 132 (63 L. Ed. 166, 39 Sup. Ct. Rep. 59), and cases of similar import, applicable here for the reasons stated in Palmberg v. Astoria, supra, where such authorities are well collated. We agree with the conclusion reached by the learned trial judge that the work performed was within the contemplation of the parties and for that reason the contract price is the measure of plaintiff’s compensation.

It remains to be determined whether there is any evidence tending to prove that plaintiff was prevented from performing its contract on account of. the alleged default of the city. If plaintiff has been paid the full amount of the contract price, less the sum retained as liquidated damages, and defendant is not guilty of any act or omission which unreasonably con tributed to or caused plaintiff’s failure in the strict performance of its contract, there could be no recovery on.the part of plaintiff under any theory of the case in an action on quantum meruit. We are not concerned with the question of damages. If, however, the contract was not performed as above stated, and such failure was due to unreasonable delay and interference on the part of the city, it would have no right to deduct from the contract price any sum as liquidated damages, and the verdict should be for plaintiff in the amount so retained. Otherwise stated, the city, in order to enforce the clause relative to liquidated damages, must be free of any act or omission which tended unreasonably to delay or hinder plaintiff in the performance of the contract. Where delays were caused by mutual default of the parties, contract penalties will be regarded as waived, and the court will not attempt to apportion the delays between the contractor and the city: Vilter Mfg. Co. v. Tygart’s Valley Brewing Co., 168 Fed. 1002; Jefferson Hotel Co. v. Brumbaugh, 168 Fed. 867 (94 C. C. A. 279). For such delay or interference as was contemplated by the parties, the plaintiff 'has no cause to complain, and would not on account thereof be excused from performance within the time specified.

Appellant claims it was delayed in the work on account of the failure of the city to obtain an easement upon which the outfall sewer was to be located. Relative to this phase of the case, the contract provides, “The outfall sewer will be partly located on privately owned land over which an easement will be secured by the city and partly on the city street.” There is evidence that plaintiff commenced work on the outfall sewer, and two or three weeks thereafter was stopped by the owner of the land because the city had not obtained title thereto. Hanley, the superin tendent, says that work commenced again when the city gave notice that the easement had been acquired. Under the contract the city had a reasonable length of time in which to obtain title, but we think it was obliged to exercise due diligence in the matter; and whether it did so is a question for the trier of facts to determine.

Work was started on the filter beds, but the gravel and soil were found not suitable for a proper filtering system, and, under order of the city engineer, the contractor stopped and negotiations were had relative to change of plans. The work was finally completed pursuant to a written contract modifying the original agreement. Appellant claims, however, that such change was a contributing factor in setting the work over into the winter season. There is evidence to support such contention.

The contractor has no cause to complain of delay caused by unforeseen difficulties in the excavation of rock and in the laying of concrete, unless the progress of the work was retarded as a result of unreasonable interference and supervision on the part of the city engineer. The city extended the time of performance of the contract forty-five days, but we think that is immaterial so far as the right of the city to enforce the clause of the contract relative to liquidated damages is concerned. The question is: Could the contractor have completed the work within the stipulated time had it not been for unreasonable delay caused by the act or omission of the city? If it could have so performed its contract, the city would not be entitled to deduct liquidated damages, notwithstanding the fact that an extension of time was granted. This issue presents a question of fact. The court cannot say as a matter of law that the contractor was not delayed in the manner above mentioned.

In view of the fact that the cause must he remanded, we think it proper for the guidance of the lower court to state that in our opinion the defense of estoppel has no application to the issues. Other alleged defenses and the counterclaim may be submitted under appropriate instructions.

The judgment of the lower court is reversed and the cause remanded for new trial not inconsistent with this opinion. Reversed and Remanded.