Wallace Construction Company v. Rude
Wallace Construction Company v. Rude
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
This case involves a foreclosure action on claim of lien by appellant for failure to pay for a concrete block foundation and the counterclaim of appellee for damages for failure of substantial performance. The trial court dismissed the foreclosure action and awarded $4,891.00 to appellee for use of equipment, loss of earnings and costs of labor and materials to replace and repair portions of the foundation. Appellant asserts as error the award of damages to appellee without the award of the contract price of $2,625.00 to him on theories of unjust enrichment or double recovery to appellee.
The doctrine of unjust enrichment was discussed in Nordin Constr. Co. v. City of Nome
The argument that the trial court has permitted double recovery
The judgment of the trial court as modified is affirmed.
. 489 P.2d 455 (Alaska 1971).
. Appellant’s failure to plead unjust enrichment or to so amend his pleadings does not defeat his recovery. However, his failure to present proof of value is fatal. 489 P.2d at 465-66.
. It appears that an owner cannot recover damages for defective performance and also retain the contract price where the defective construction can be repaired. See McNeilly v. Buck, 353 Mass. 768, 234 N.E.2d 293 (1968) ; Condello v. Stock, 285 App.Div. 861, 136 N.Y.S.2d 507 (1955) ; see also annotation 76 A.L.K.2d 805, 820 (1961). The cases reflect the view that contract damages should be compensatory. However, a different situation exists where the defective performance cannot be repaired satisfactorily and the premises cannot be returned to their original condition. Cf. 5A A. Corbin, Contracts § 1126 (1964).
.See Civil Rule 52; Alaska Foods, Inc. v. American Mfrs. Mut. Ins. Co., 482 P.2d 842 (Alaska 1971).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- WALLACE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY v. James RUDE
- Status
- Published