DECISION ORDER
ORDERED that the appeal from the order dated May 21, 2002, is dismissed; and it is further,
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed; and it is further,
ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the respondents.
The appeal from the intermediate order must be dismissed because the right of direct appeal therefrom terminated with the entry of judgment in the action ( see Matter of Aho, 39 N.Y.2d 241, 248). The issues raised on appeal from the order are brought up for review and have been considered on the appeal from the judgment ( see CPLR 5501[a][1]).
The defendants AF F Community Builders, Inc., and James Fendt, s/h/a Fendt James, demonstrated both a reasonable excuse for their default and a meritorious defense to the action ( see Almonte v. Latortue, 293 A.D.2d 431). Accordingly, the Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in granting the motion to vacate their default in appearing at a certification conference and to reinstate their answer and cross claims.
The plaintiff's remaining contentions are without merit.
PRUDENTI, P.J., H. MILLER, SCHMIDT and COZIER, JJ., concur.