May 08, 2012

Court reviews whether damages were asses based on a contractual standard of workmanship or an implied warranty of workmanship

CONSULTING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., ET AL. v. JOHN H. FRIEDMANN, SR. (Tenn. Ct. App. April 23, 2012)

This suit arises as a result of the installation of tile flooring in a home. Homeowners sued the contractor for breach of warranty, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment. The trial court awarded $106,103.92 to homeowners and assessed $4,252.00 in discretionary costs.

Contractor appeals asserting that, in finding liability, the trial court failed to apply the standard of performance set forth in the contract and that the court erred in calculating and measuring the damages. We have determined that the trial court applied an implied warranty or workmanship rather than the contractual standard; however we have reviewed the evidence de novo and modify the judgment to hold that the contractor breached the contractual standard. We remand the case for a determination of the appropriate amount of damages.

Opinion available at: https://www.tba.org/sites/default/files/consulting_042312.pdf