{
  "id": 1624173,
  "name": "PHILLIPS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY v. C. H. WILLIAMS D/B/A BLYTHEVILLE ROOFING COMPANY",
  "name_abbreviation": "Phillips Construction Co. v. Williams",
  "decision_date": "1973-07-02",
  "docket_number": "73-52",
  "first_page": "824",
  "last_page": "827",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "254 Ark. 824"
    },
    {
      "type": "parallel",
      "cite": "496 S.W.2d 417"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "Ark.",
    "id": 8808,
    "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 34,
    "name_long": "Arkansas",
    "name": "Ark."
  },
  "cites_to": [
    {
      "cite": "244 Ark. 74",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ark.",
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      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1968,
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        "/ark/244/0074-01"
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    {
      "cite": "252 Ark. 755",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ark.",
      "case_ids": [
        1630086
      ],
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1972,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ark/252/0755-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "251 Ark. 1062",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ark.",
      "case_ids": [
        1633265
      ],
      "weight": 2,
      "year": 1972,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ark/251/1062-01"
      ]
    },
    {
      "cite": "245 Ark. 825",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ark.",
      "case_ids": [
        1606733
      ],
      "weight": 3,
      "year": 1968,
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ark/245/0825-01"
      ]
    }
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  "analysis": {
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:26:13.512056+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "PHILLIPS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY v. C. H. WILLIAMS D/B/A BLYTHEVILLE ROOFING COMPANY"
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Frank Holt, Justice.\nThe appellee, a subcontractor, brought this action against the appellant, a general contractor, for the balance due on a construction contract. The contract provided that appellee would furnish labor and materials and construct a roof for a school complex according to the architect\u2019s revised plans and specifications. Appellant paid appellee $36,000 of the $43,486 contract price but refused to pay the $7,486 balance until appellee corrected alleged defects in the roof to conform to the architect\u2019s requirements. Appellee orally amended his complaint by increasing his claim $1,612 for extra work and material or for a total of $9,098. After hearing the evidence, the trial judge, sitting as a jury, found for the appellee. From the judgment upon the $9,098 verdict comes this appeal.\nFor reversal, appellant first contends the court erred in finding that appellee\u2019s work complied with the revised plans and specifications as agreed to in the written contract. We disagree. Of course, this contention presents a question of fact. In this regard we have said:\n\u201cIt is the province of the jury or the trial court, sitting as a jury, to determine the preponderance of the evidence. However, on appeal we apply the substantial evidence rule in testing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a finding and verdict and, in doing so, we review the evidence and all inferences deducible therefrom in the light most favorable to the appellee in support of the verdict. Fanning v. Hembree Oil Co., 245 Ark. 825, 434 S.W. 2d 822 (1968). Nor do we disturb a finding of fact merely because the testimony is in conflict. On appeal it must appear to us that \u2018there is no reasonable probability that the incident occurred as found by the [jury] trial court sitting as a jury.\u2019 Fanning v. Hembree Oil Co., supra.\u201d\nFields v. Sugar, 251 Ark. 1062, 476 S.W. 2d 814 (1972).\nIn the case at bar, the testimony is conflicting. An architect, a witness for appellant, testified that certain parts of the roof were defective because of the existence of \u201ca gummy substance,\u201d which was caused by improper installation of the roof and a failure to follow the manufacturer\u2019s specifications. Test cuts were made and a laboratory report revealed the existence of the gummy substance. He, also, testified, that there was a defective condition in the roof as a result of the presence of moisture in the insulation. This was caused by installing the roof base sheet over wet instead of dry insulation contrary to the manufacturer\u2019s specifications. In substance, appellant\u2019s evidence, by the architect, was to the effect that the roof had not been completed in accordance with the plans and specifications. The appellant\u2019s president testified, however, that he had not paid the appellee because the school district, at the direction of the architect, had not paid his firm.\nAppellee testified that he had built a \u201cgood roof\u201d which was as \u201cperfect\u201d as could possibly be constructed; that the roof was built \u201cexactly\u201d as the architect instructed; that the roof was constructed according to the manufacturer\u2019s specifications; and that the testing laboratory used by the architect and appellant made no recommendations for corrective procedure. Furthermore, he had completed 95% of the roof under the supervision, control and approval of two of the architect\u2019s representatives before another representative, the appellant\u2019s witness, was assigned to the project. It was admitted by this witness that these representatives had the authority to waive, change, or modify the specifications in order to meet the needs of the construction. In substance, appellee\u2019s testimony was to the effect that he had followed specifications in the construction of the roof which was free of any defects. Further, that the payment for the construction and installation of \u201cextras\u201d was agreed to by the appellant. Appellee\u2019s testimony that he had installed a good roof was corroborated by another roofer with many, years experience.\nAs previously indicated, the conflicting versions as to the evidentiary facts were matters for the fact finder to reconcile. Furthermore, appellant\u2019s failure to call the two architectural employees who supervised with approval 95% of the construction, as well as not producing a representative of the testing. laboratory, could be construed as an inference that their testimony would have been unfavorable. Brower Mtg. Co. et al v. Willis et al, 252 Ark. 755, 480 S.W. 2d 950 (1972). Upon a consideration of that evidence which is most favorable to appellee, as we do on appeal, we must say there is substantial evidence to support a finding for the appellee. Accordingly, other contentions relating to the sufficiency of the evidence are without merit.\nNeither can we agree with appellant\u2019s assertion that the trial court abused its discretion by allowing a local roofer to testify as an expert witness for the appellee. Appellant recognizes that we will not reverse unless there is an abuse of discretion in this situation. Ray v. Fletcher, 244 Ark. 74, 423 S.W. 2d 865 (1968). In the case at bar, this witness on direct examination testified that he had been a roofer for some 26 years; that he was familiar with the type of roof installed by appellee; and that he had installed roofs of a similar nature. The court then overruled appellant\u2019s objection that the witness had not demonstrated he was qualified as an expert.\nOn cross-examination, it was elicited that the witness had not constructed a roof of this type in 10 to 12 years. However, the witness testified that he had \u201cbuilt\u201d a roof according to the very specifications in the case at bar. Although the lapse of time since he had constructed a similar roof might be said to cast doubt upon him as being an expert witness, there is nothing to indicate that appellant objected to this further testimony or moved to strike it or otherwise directed the trial court\u2019s attention to the effect of his testimony on the court\u2019s previous ruling on the subj ect.\nIn the circumstances, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in permitting the witness\u2019 testimony as an expert. The facts that he had not installed this kind of roof for the past several years and that his inspection was limited to a visual observation of the exterior of the roof were matters to be considered by the fact finder as bearing upon his credibility as a witness.\nWe have considered all of appellant\u2019s contentions and find no merit in any of them.\nAffirmed.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Frank Holt, Justice."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Moore ir Cleveland, for appellant.",
      "Reid, Burge ir Prevallet, for appellee."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "PHILLIPS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY v. C. H. WILLIAMS D/B/A BLYTHEVILLE ROOFING COMPANY\n73-52\n496 S.W. 2d 417\nOpinion delivered July 2, 1973\nMoore ir Cleveland, for appellant.\nReid, Burge ir Prevallet, for appellee."
  },
  "file_name": "0824-01",
  "first_page_order": 846,
  "last_page_order": 849
}