Gwinnup v. Shies

Hadley, J. — Appellant furnished the material and constructed a cement yard wait and steps for appellee, and, brings this suit to recover therefor. In his first paragraph of complaint he counts on a special contract, and demands the stipulated price. In the second paragraph he sues for the quantum meruit. Answer the general denial. Trial by the court, and finding and judgment for the defendant. But one question is reserved for our decision and that is, is the finding of the court under the issues contrary to law? The defense relied upon was the failure of appellant to execute the work in a workmanlike manner as the contract required. There is in the record sufficient evidence of defective levels and grade of the walk, and of defective form and finish of the steps, to support the court in its finding, but appellant insists that it was improperly received under.the general denial. In this we think appellant is mistaken. The record discloses that the defendant’s evidence touching the quality of the work done was given without a single exception being reserved that we have been able to discover, and our attention has not been directed to any; but, assuming'that appellant has the right to raise the question, it must be decided against him. Any defense which goes to a denial that the cause of action set forth in the complaint exists may be properly pleaded by way of general denial. 1 Works’ Prac., §579. The rule prevailing in this State is clearly stated in Jeffersonville Water Sup. Co. v. Riter, 146 Ind. 521, 526, thus: “A defendant, under the general denial, is not confined to negative proof in denial of the facts stated in the complaint, as a cause of action, but may, upon the trial, [502] introduce proof of facts- independent of those alleged in the complaint, but which are inconsistent therewith, and tend to meet and break down or defeat the plaintiff’s cause of action.” There was no evidence offered by either pasty as to the value of the work, as it was performed, but appellant insists that the evidence shows it was of some value for which he should have recovered, and in support of his claim cites Everroad v. Schwartzkopf, 123 Ind. 35, and Gastlin v. Weeks, 2 Ind. App. 222. It is undoubtedly true, as held in these cases, that if a contractor performs his work in an inferior manner, or uses unfit material, or fails in any way to do the work as he agreed, if the work is of a fixed or permanent character, and of some value, and, notwithstanding the noncompliance with the contract, the other party accepts and uses the work, the law will require him to pay whatever the work, as done, is reasonably worth. See authorities cited in Everroad’s ease, supra. In this case, however, there is not only an absence of evidence as to the value of the work as done, but there is also no evidence of an acceptance or of use by appellee further than his statement that he walked over it from his door to the street “because he could not help it.” It appears that appellee was absent from home while the work was being done, and upon his return and inspection at once made an earnest protest against acceptance; and the impelled use, as shown by the evidence, is not sufficient to constitute a constructive acceptance. It may seem harsh to hold that a man who has furnished the material and done a job of work for another shall receive no pay for it. But on the other hand, if, as the evidence tends to prove, the walk was lowest in the middle, and collected storm water half an inch deep, and the grade was three inches higher than the contract provided, and three inches higher than the yard grade when completed, and the steps unshapely and unfinished, it is probable'1 that appellee would [503] prefer to have his premises as they were before the work was done. In such eases it is clear that the fault is with the one who voluntarily,violates liis contract. Judgment affirmed.