GENE B. GLICK COMPANY, INC., AND CONTINENTAL CASUALTY COMPANY, APPELLANTS/CROSS-APPELLEES,
v.
FISCHER-MCGANN, INC., A FLORIDA CORPORATION, APPELLEE/CROSS-APPELLANT, AND BAY BACK APARTMENTS, LTD., AN ILLINOIS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, APPELLEE
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In this lien foreclosure case, the Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed in part a judgment for a subcontractor (Fischer) against a general contractor (Glick) based on quantum meruit for unpaid extras and retainage. The court affirmed the trial court's findings on breach and the validity of the lien claims, but reversed to allow the trial court to consider an offset for pending litigation and additional unpaid work claims on remand.
The court affirmed the trial court's interpretation of the contract and conclusion that certain finished carpentry work was an extra not included in the contract price, and that partial lien releases were not intended as waivers of extras claims. The court reversed to allow the trial court on remand to consider the general contractor's offset claim for pending litigation and to address the subcontractor's claims for unpaid work performed in the final three weeks before leaving the job. The court also reversed regarding any judgment against the surety bond exceeding the bond's amount.
[1] A general contractor's breach of contract may entitle a subcontractor to recover earned and unpaid extras and retainage on a quantum meruit basis.
[2] Partial releases of lien furnished by a subcontractor do not necessarily waive claims for extras if not intended or understood by the parties as such.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“Upon reviewing the record, we find no error or abuse of discretion in the trial court's interpretation of the parties' contract and the court's conclusion that the contract price did not include certain finished carpentry work which the court found to be an extra requested by the general.”
Establishes the court's affirmance of the trial court's contract interpretation and finding that extras were involved.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceFischer, a subcontractor, performed finished carpentry work for Glick, the general contractor, on a construction project. The trial court found that c…
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STONE, Judge.
We reverse, in part, the final judgment and a consohdated judgment for attorney’s fees in this lien foreclosure. The judgments were entered in favor of a subcontractor, Fischer, against the general contractor, Ghck. The subcontractor’s recovery is founded on quantum meruit for earned and unpaid extras and retainage due at the time it left the job because the general refused to pay the sums due.
Upon reviewing the record, we find no error or abuse of discretion in the trial court’s interpretation of the parties’ contract and the court’s conclusion that the contract price did not include certain finished carpentry work which the court found to be an extra requested by the general.
The trial court concluded, resolving conflicting evidence, that the general breached the contract and that certain partial releases of hen furnished by the sub were not intended or understood by either to be waivers of the extras claims. The trial court could also conclude that it was understood that there would be a delay in billing for the extras. See generally J.M. Beeson Co. v. Sartori, 553 So. 2d 180, 183 (Fla. 4th DCA 1989); Bryan & Sons Corp. v. Klefstad, 237 So. 2d 236, 238 (Fla. 4th DCA 1970). See also Alpha Elec. Supply, Inc. v. F. Feaster, Inc., 386 So. 2d 594 (Fla. 5th DCA 1980), rev. denied, 392 So. 2d 1374 (Fla.1980). As to these issues, we affirm.
Additionally, we affirm the trial court’s rejection of Appellants’ claims involving the costs to complete the job as Appellant/general contractor was found to be the breaching party. There was no corresponding breach by Appellee/subcontractor and its recovery is based solely on quantum meruit.
We reverse, however, for further proceedings for the limited purpose of resolving the Appellant/general contractor’s claim that the balance it owed the subcontractor should have been offset by certain sums at issue in pending litigation brought by the subcontractor’s subs against the general contractor. Appellee acknowledges that Appellants should not be subjected to double liability on the pending lien claims. See generally Morris & Esher, Inc. v. Olympia Enters., Inc., 200 So. 2d 579, 582 (Fla. 3d DCA 1967).1 We have considered Plaza Builders, Inc. v. Regis, 502 So. 2d 918, 922 (Fla. 2d DCA 1986), but deem it inapposite.
On remand, the trial court shall also consider Appellee’s claims, numbered 14 and 15, raised by cross-appeal, for work performed in the three weeks before Appellee left the job. That these claims were earned and not paid appears to be undisputed. The failure of the trial court to consider these claims was raised by timely post-judgment motion in response to Appellants’ motion for rehearing. See Srybnik v. Ice Tower, Inc., 183 So. 2d 224 (Fla. 3d DCA), cert. denied, 192 So. 2d 493 (Fla.1966). Although Appellee did not deliver releases in advance for these sums as contemplated by the contract, it appears that the claims were not submitted for payment until after the breach and while the parties were in a litigating posture as to the breach of contract. It was apparent that such claims would not be paid while the essential contract issues remained in dispute.
In the consolidated appeal, we affirm as to all issues raised except to the extent that the primary judgment plus interest and attorney’s fees may exceed the amount payable under the surety’s bond. As to the latter, we reverse. On remand, the trial court shall restrict the sums ordered payable by the surety to the amount of its bonded obligation. See Aetna Casualty & Sur. Co. v. Buck, 594 So. 2d 280, 283 (Fla.1992). On Appellee’s cross-appeal, we reverse as it is apparent that the amount of attorney’s fees will be subject to modification as a result of the issues to be considered on remand. We also note that there is a forty-five percent cap in accordance with Fischer’s contract with counsel.
DELL and POLEN, JJ., concur. . We do not consider protection against double recovery as inconsistent with the provisions of section 713.05, Florida Statutes.
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Fischer-McGANN, Inc. v. Gene B. Glick Co., Inc., 715 So. 2d 994 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998)…STONE, Chief Judge. We reverse an order granting the petition to enforce mandate of Appellee, Gene B. Glick Co. (“Glick”). [*995] In Gene B. Glick Co., Inc. v. Fischer-McGann, Inc., 667 So. 2d 865 (Fla. 4th DCA 1996), this court reversed and remanded based on Glick’s claim that it should be protected from double liability that might result from then pending claims against Glick, a general contractor, by Fiseher-McGann’s subcontractors. Glick…
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Sanchez v. AN Luxury Imports OF Pembroke Pines, Inc., 216 So. 3d 723 (Fla. 4th DCA 2017)…operty of the ward” is substantively similar to the language of section 320.27(10)(b) providing that “the aggregate liability of the surety in any one year shall in no event exceed the sum of the bond.” In Gene B. Glick Co. v. Fischer-McGann, Inc., 667 So. 2d 865, 867 (Fla. 4th DCA 1996), although it did not involve a surety bond issued pursuant to section 320.27(10), this court reversed a “primary judgment plus interest and attorney’s fees” to the extent that the total of the award “exeeed[ed] the amount pa…
Authorities Cited
- AETNA Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Buck, 594 So. 2d 280 (Fla. 1992)
- Plaza Builders, Inc. v. Regis, 502 So. 2d 918 (Fla. 2d DCA 1986)
- Morris & Esher, Inc. v. Olympia Enters., Inc., 200 So. 2d 579 (Fla. 3d DCA 1967)
- Srybnik v. ICE Tower, Inc., 183 So. 2d 224 (Fla. 3d DCA 1966)
- J.M. Beeson Co. v. Sartori, 553 So. 2d 180 (Fla. 4th DCA 1989)
- Bryan & Sons Corp. v. Sivert Klefstad, 237 So. 2d 236 (Fla. 4th DCA 1970)
- Williams v. State, 192 So. 2d 493 (Fla. 1966)
- Sharp v. Sharp, 192 So. 2d 493 (Fla. 1966)
- Alpha Elec. Supply, Inc. v. F. Feaster, Inc., 386 So. 2d 594 (Fla. 5th DCA 1980)