Raymond v. Rahme

78 S.W.3d 552, 2002 WL 822105
Court of Appeals of Texas·Decided July 26, 2002·No. 03-01-00247-CV·Published·Cited by 90 cases

Opinion

MARILYN ABOUSSIE, Chief Justice.

Appellant Curtis Raymond (“Raymond”) appeals from the trial court’s judgment in favor of appellees Marcel Rahme and Williams Investments (collectively “Rahme”). Raymond was the concrete *555 subcontractor on a construction project to build a gas station on Rahme’s property. After a payment dispute arose, Raymond attempted to file and sue on a mechanic’s and materialman’s lien against Rahme’s property. See Tex. Prop.Code Ann. §§ 53.001-.260 (West 1995 & Supp.2002). Rahme counterclaimed for breach of contract, breach of warranty, and violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (the “DTPA”). See Tex. Bus. & Com.Code Ann. §§ 17.01-.854 (West 1987 & Supp. 2002). After a bench trial, Rahme was awarded $65,332 on his counterclaims. Raymond appeals, contending the trial court erred in finding that Raymond (1) failed to properly perfect his mechanic’s lien, (2) breached the construction contract, and (3) breached express and implied warranties. Raymound also contends the trial court erroneously found that Rahme incurred DTPA damages. We will affirm in part and reverse and render in part.

Rahme owns land in Pflugerville. He hired JMT, Inc. as a general contractor for a project to build a gas station on his property. JMT and Raymond entered into an oral contract for Raymond to do the concrete work on the project. Starting in September 1996, Raymond performed various work related to the concrete work. When JMT did not pay Raymond all of the fees he asserted he was owed, Raymond ceased work on the project. Raymond wrote Rahme a letter dated February 5, 1997, stating he was owed $15,211.85. On February 8, 1997, Raymond completed and signed a Mechanic’s and Materialman’s Lien Affidavit; however, that affidavit was not filed in the county records. On April 4, 1997, Raymond signed and filed a second affidavit, alleging a $15,211.85 lien, and sent a copy of the affidavit with a demand for payment to Rahme and JMT.

When Rahme and JMT did not pay, Raymond sued them for breach of contract and sought to foreclose on the lien. Rahme answered that Raymond had not used the proper grade or thickness of concrete and had improperly poured and graded the concrete. Rahme alleged that Raymond’s poor work led to substantial pooling of rainwater and premature cracking and would necessitate the removal and replacement of the defective concrete. Rahme asserted counterclaims for breach of contract, breach of express and implied warranties, and DTPA violations. Raymond entered into an agreement with JMT under which JMT agreed to pay Raymond $6,900, nonsuited JMT, and proceeded to trial against Rahme.

After a bench trial, the trial court rendered a judgment that Raymond take nothing on his claims against Rahme and ordered Raymond’s lien extinguished. Rahme was awarded $65,332 in damages and attorney’s fees on his counterclaims, with further conditional attorney’s fees to be awarded should Raymond appeal. On Raymond’s request, the trial court filed findings of fact and conclusions of law, many of which Raymond attacks on appeal.

Standard of Review

A trial court’s findings of fact in a bench trial are reviewed for legal and factual sufficiency under the same standards used to review a jury’s verdict on jury questions. Anderson v. City of Seven Points, 806 S.W.2d 791, 794 (Tex.1991); Westech Eng’g, Inc. v. Clearwater Constructors, Inc., 835 S.W.2d 190, 195 (Tex.App.-Austin 1992, no writ). In considering legal sufficiency, we consider all the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing party, indulging every inference in that party’s favor. Associated Indem. Corp. v. CAT Contracting, Inc., 964 *556 S.W.2d 276, 285-86 (Tex.1998); Westech Eng’g, 835 S.W.2d at 196. In reviewing factual sufficiency, we consider all of the evidence and uphold the finding unless the evidence is too weak to support it or the finding is so against the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to be manifestly unjust. Westech Eng’g, 835 S.W.2d at 196. For issues on which the appealing party had the burden of proof at trial, the party must both prevail on a legal sufficiency challenge and demonstrate that the evidence conclusively establishes the issue in his favor as a matter of law. Id. The trier of fact is the sole judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony. Cohn v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline, 979 S.W.2d 694, 696 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, no pet.). We will not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court merely because we might reach a different conclusion. Cohn, 979 S.W.2d at 696; Westech Eng’g, 835 S.W.2d at 196.

A trial court’s conclusions of law are reviewed de novo and will be upheld if they can be sustained on any legal theory supported by the evidence. Cohn, 979 S.W.2d at 697; Westech Eng’g, 835 S.W.2d at 196. Even if we find a conclusion of law is incorrect, we will not reverse a judgment if it can be sustained by any correct legal theory supported by the evidence. Cohn, 979 S.W.2d at 697; Westech Eng’g, 835 S.W.2d at 196.

Summary of the Evidence

Raymond testified that in September 1996 he submitted a bid to JMT for concrete work that included erosion control, a retention pond, curbs and gutters, a dumpster enclosure, driveways, the slab, approaches, outlet structure, and sidewalks. However, JMT did the “dirt work, the culverts, the approaches, and the retention pond.” Raymond testified that JMT was in charge of compacting the base materials over which the concrete was poured. Raymond did not contract with Rahme, but only with JMT.

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Raymond v. Rahme, 78 S.W.3d 552, 2002 WL 822105 (Tex. Ct. App. 2002).

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