DEARSTINE v. DUNCKEL

STALEY, J.

This is an action to foreclose a mechanic's lien on premises known as 105 Ryckman avenue, Albany, N.Y., owned by Fayette D. Dunckel and Sarah V. Dunckel. The claim of the defendant owners is that the contractors failed to perform their contract in a good and workmanlike manner, and that the last payment, amounting to $3,000, has not been earned.

The contract, plans and specifications were drawn by the contractors, Frank Bowers. They provided for the erection of a dwelling house. Work was started in the winter or late fall. During the progress of the work the house began to settle, until it was out of level about six inches, the front being lower than the rear of the building. In so far as the quality of the material and the work upon the building itself are concerned, the contract was duly performed. The real difficulty in the case is whether the foundation was properly placed. The contract required the foundation wall to have a firm footing of concrete of a certain size. Somewhat larger footings were provided. The ground underneath, however, was not of sufficient stability to support the building. Considerable evidence was given as to the cause of the settlement of the building, but I have concluded, on all the evidence and circumstances, that the footings in the front of the building were placed upon filled ground unsuitable to support the weight of the building.

It was implied in the contract that the contractors should build a structure practically level. If at the time of making the contract the attention of the parties had been called to this feature of the structure, there can be no question that they would have assented to it. ( Genet v. President, etc., Delaware H. Canal Co., 136 N.Y. 593, 609.) A level structure was the result contemplated by the parties, and under the contract, plans and specifications such a result was required of the contractors.

If the contract, plans and specifications had provided in detail as to the placing of the footings of the building and the character of soil or fill upon which they were to be placed, the risk of defective plans would rest with the owner. ( Kuhs v. Flower City Tissue Mills Co., 104 Misc. 243.) The plans here involved were silent as to the method of construction of the foundation. It was, therefore, the duty of the contractors to construct it upon solid ground, so as to produce a level structure, even though it might have been necessary to make greater excavation or more substantial fill. ( Tompkins v. Dudley, 25 N.Y. 272.)

While it was the duty of the contractors to construct a building practically level and plumb, the conduct of the owners was such as to waive the defect, and to be estopped from now asserting it. After the owners learned of the settlement of the building and while it was in progress of construction, they actually interfered with the work on the building, and required the contractors to underpin the foundation and to jack up the building.

The contract was modified by this requirement and the acts of the contractors in accepting and performing under it. The owners refused to make the payments on account of the contract until this work was done, and made payment after the foundation had been raised and strengthened in accordance with their direction. Such conduct on the part of the owners is inconsistent with a rejection of the work, and by it they waived the defective construction of which they now complain. ( Fallon v. Lawler, 102 N.Y. 228; 6 Cyc. 23.)

Although the pleadings of the plaintiff and of the defendant lienors and contractors do not allege a waiver of substantial performance, based upon a modification of the original contract, evidence relating to it was introduced without objection on the trial, and it was one of the issues tried, and constitutes a valid basis of fact for decision. ( Fallon v. Lawler, 102 N.Y. 228; Brady v. Nally, 151 id. 258; Burrowes Co. v. Rapid Safety Filter Co., 49 Misc. 539, 545.)

My conclusion is that strict performance of the contract was waived; that the owners are not liable for the cost of extra work for the excavation and construction of the piers, and for the labor and material in digging tunnels to drain the cellar, and for making cesspool boxes amounting to the sum of $54; that the amount due and owing on the contract is the sum of $3,000, with interest, plus $354.42, the value of extra work; that, as between the liens filed, the lien of Boppert Staley is entitled to priority, and that the judgment direct that the pleadings herein be amended to conform to the proof.

Decision may be submitted accordingly.