Sear-Brown Associates, P. C. v. Blackwatch Development Corp.

112 A.D.2d 765, 492 N.Y.S.2d 266, 1985 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 56136

• Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
• Decided: July 12, 1985
• Status: Published

Opinion

Judgment unanimously reversed, on the law and facts, with costs, and complaint dismissed. Memorandum: It was error to award judgment to plaintiff on its action for breach of contract on the theory of substantial performance. In order to recover for substantial performance, the plaintiff must establish that its failure to perform was inadvertent or unintentional and that the defects were insubstantial (see, Jacob & Youngs v Kent, 230 NY 239; American Std. v Schectman, 80 AD2d 318, lv denied 54 NY2d 604; Triple M. Roofing Corp. v Greater Jericho Corp., 43 AD2d 594). Plaintiff’s failure to perform the remaining items of the contract was intentional and the work which remained to be done was significant. The fact that plaintiff allocated $800 or 13% of the contract price for the remaining work indicates that it was not insubstantial (see, e.g., Hollister v Mott, 132 NY 18; Triple M. Roofing Corp. v Greater Jericho Corp., supra; Fox v Davidson, 36 App Div 159). (Appeal from judgment of Supreme Court, Monroe County, Bergin, J. — contract.) Present — Dillon, P. J., Hancock, Jr., Doerr, Denman and O’Donnell, JJ.