Dobbins v. Redden

• Citation: 785 S.W.2d 377
• Decision Date: 28 February 1990
• Docket Number: No. C-8160,C-8160
• Parties: Robert DOBBINS v. Roy REDDEN.
• Court: Supreme Court of Texas

Page 377

785 S.W.2d 377

Robert DOBBINS v. Roy REDDEN.

No. C-8160.

Supreme Court of Texas.

Feb. 28, 1990.

Donald S. Bayne, San Antonio, for petitioner.

Jack Ware, Uvalde, for respondent.

ON REHEARING

PER CURIAM.

This cause presents the issue of whether a party which fails to establish substantial performance of a building contract may nevertheless sustain an action under that contract. The court of appeals rendered judgment allowing the plaintiff to recover damages in a contract action despite a jury finding that the plaintiff had himself breached the contract. 759 S.W.2d 477. We grant the writ of error, modify the judgment of the court of appeals, and affirm that judgment as modified.

Plaintiff Roy Redden agreed to build an earthen tank and dam on defendant Robert Dobbins' property for $10,000. Shortly after construction began, Redden discovered that unexpected soil conditions on the property would significantly increase the cost of construction. Redden, however, continued construction on the tank. The parties dispute whether Dobbins agreed to pay Redden more than the original $10,000. Although Redden never finished building the tank, he billed Dobbins $24,905. Dobbins paid Redden $10,000.

Redden then brought this suit on account, based on the contract, to recover the unpaid balance and attorney's fees. Dobbins' answer asserted the defense that Redden's own breach bars recovery on the contract. Dobbins also counterclaimed for breach of contract, alleging damages equal to the difference in value of the contracted for tank and the tank which Redden actually constructed. The jury found Dobbins had agreed to pay for Redden's services, and that the balance due for those services was $14,905. However, the jury also found that Redden failed to perform his obligations under the agreement, and that the cost to repair or complete the tank and dam was $10,000. The district court disregarded the jury's findings on Dobbins' breach of contract counterclaim and rendered judgment for Redden for $14,905, plus attorney's fees.

On appeal Dobbins argued that the verdict entitled him to judgment for $10,000. The court of appeals sustained this argument. Dobbins also argued that the judgment for Redden for $14,905 was improper because Redden's own breach of the contract bars recovery of contractual damages, and because Redden failed to plead, prove or submit jury questions on the alternative theory of quantum meruit. The court of appeals held that this issue was not relevant to disposition of the case. The court of appeals rendered judgment for Dobbins for $10,000, to be set off against the $14,905 awarded to Redden, and affirmed the trial court's judgment as modified.

It is a well established rule that "a party to a contract who is himself in default cannot maintain a suit for its breach." Gulf Pipe Line Co. v. Nearen, 135 Tex. 50, 56, 138 S.W.2d 1065, 1068 (Tex.Comm'n App.1940, opinion adopted); Kelly v. Webb, 27...