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HomeMy WebLinkAbout98-01142 ~ . \l ~ ~ ~ ./i;l '. ,.,' <~;~:;, ,'~ ,".!:-j ,\1. :f\.ill ;,i5, :,l~"! ._"" : 'y)~;)J ".:Yi ~.. ',\ :1 j" "1 ~ "J i . < II: ~ ~ u -...{ :Ii ~ / f ... ~ :--. .5 ... J~ :;t - - ~ "" 1':"oI'U.I'\'\UATAHI.INll'NIM If ~IIfJUf~ 1l't1.1 C',uk.l: llUly,II2;U\., I'M MUM.I: IIW:/'Mlll..II1>!JI'M I'., . ~._. .~. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA KEITH L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN. lldlbla K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, Plaintiffs CIVIL ACTION ' LAW v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants NO. Q8- U 4d CUi-.Q l0W'\ NOTICE You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the c1aim~ set forth in the following pages. you must take action within twenty (20) days after this Complaint and Notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the c1aim~ set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so, the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the court without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint or for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiffs. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. '\ , I YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE. GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP: Cumberland County Bar Association 2 Liberty A venue Carlisle. Pennsylvania 170 I 3 Telephone (7 17) 249,3 I 66 j , ( I' ~, ,I I \1 ( .\ . :( . r" , ; . I" MARTSON. DEARDORFF, WILLIAMS & OTIO By ~cJtQ~ Ivo V. Otto, III, Esquire PA Attorney 10 No. 27763 Carl C. Risch, Esquire PA Attorney ID No. 75901 Ten East High Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243,3341 Attol'l/eys[o/' Plailllif[ Date: March 2, 19911 .~' . . KEITH L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN. t/d/b/a K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING. Plaintiffs IN THE COURT or COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION, LAW v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE. NO. C\~ - )\ 4d- Cuu.0 ~I'V\ Defendants COMPLAINT AND NOW, come the Plaintiffs. Keith L. Lehman and Tammy Lehman. trading and doing business as K & R Lehman Contracting, by and through their attorneys, Martson, Deardorff. William~ & Otto, and hereby aver as follows: 1. Plaintiffs are Keith L. Lehman and Tammy Lehman, husband and wife, trading and doing business as K & R Lehman Contracting with its principle place of business at 2107 Walnut Bottom Road. Carlisle, Cumberland County. Pennsylvania 17013. 2. Defendants are Kerry R. Henne and Joan M. Henne, husband and wife, and are adult individuals residing at 3 Morrison Way, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17013. 3. On or about June 23, 1997, Defendants entered into a written Agreement with Plaintiffs for the construction of a two,story, two car garage house. (A copy of this Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit "An). 4. In exchange for Plaintiffs' construction of the house, Defendants agreed to pay Plaintiffs $1 HO,OOO.OO plus or minus any additions or subtractions as permitted under the Agreement. 5. Modifications to the work to be performed under the Agreement resulted in permissible additions totaling $14.690.7H thus adding this amount to the contract price. 6. Modification to the work to be performed under the AgreelTlent resulted in permissible subtractions totaling $13,429.00 thus subtracting this amount from the contract price. 7. Taking into consideration the permissible additions and subtractions, the total amount due under the Agreement is $1 H 1.2Ci I. 7H. l ( I ,. ~ X. Additionally. Dcfcndal1lS arc in posscssion of matcrials owncd by Pluintiffs thuI wcrc Icft althc construction sitc valucd ut $X53.24. lJ. Plainliffs complctcd pcrformance under Ihe conlruct on or ubout Januury 13, IlJlJX. 10. As of Murch 2. IlJlJX, Defcndants havc made paymcnts to Plaintiffs undcr the Agrccmcnt totuling $1/\4,000.00, Icaving un unpaid balance of $17.26 I. 7X. 11. Additionally, thc paymcnts totaling $1/\4,000.00 wcrc not disburscd to Plaintiffs inu timely munncr undcr thc Agrcelrentthus causing PlaintilT.~ to incur, and to continue to incur. ongoing additionul expenses currently totaling $575.00. 12. Moreover, Defendants' untiJrelydisbursements and refusal to puy the unpaid balance under the Agreelrent have caused Plaintiffs to lose additional business opportunitics, und the resultant profits therefrom. because Plaintiffs were deprived of the financial ability to pursue these additional construction projects. 13. Despite repeated demand for payment. Defendants have failed complete paymcnt as required under the Agreemel1l and have failed to compensate Plaintiffs for damages incurred. COUNT) BREACH OF CONTRACT 14. Pluintiffs hereby incorporute by reference the uverments contained in paragraphs 1 through 13 of this Complaint as iffully set forth. 15. By failing to tender payment as required under the Agreement, Defendants have breached the Agreement. 16. By fuiling to disburse paYIrents in a timely manner in compliance with the term~ of the Agreement, Defendants have breached the Agreement. 17. By breaching the Agreement. Defendants have caused damages to Plaintiffs in the amount of $17.26 I. 7X as well as ongoing consequential damages and lost profits. WHEREFORE. Plaintiffs demand judgment against Defendal1ls in an amount exceeding $25.000.00 plus costs, interest. and allorneys' fees. i .. '_~, - pl'UlruUltl .~' /i) Page No, 1 of 3 Pages K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING ~QlXWXU ~~~"~IRR~~~.\')')(AHIfl:~i'~A .~Ay'AXXXll(loMj PROPOSAL IUDMlffW 10 and Joan I/enne 2107 Walnut Bottom Road Carlisle, PA 17013 Phone I (717) 258-1204 113 Petersbur Road CITY, 'T~H[ AND In' COllt Carlisle PA 17013 ARCItIl[Cr JOD NAM[ PttON[ 249-1023 June 23, 1997 OAf[ Two Story with Two Car Garage JOo lOCA liON IJAU Of rlAN5 w. hereby ,Ubmlt "JlJclllc.IIO'" .ntle.tl""'III' fo,: JOO PHONe Two Story wfth Two Car Garage BlueprInts Excavating W(lll Sap tIc Dasement Masonryt front porch & garage hltouse Package Electric Plumbing I/eating Insulation Drywa 11 Paint and Stain K Hellen Flooring Light ing Garage Doors and Operators Gas Fireplace Sidewalks Basement Entrance from Garage Bonus Room BuildIng Labor TOTfIL S 350.00 6,000.00 3,000.00 5,000.00 10,370.00 6,029.00 72,303.00 4,750.00 10,100.00 7,400.00 3,500.00 6,000.00 1,000.00 9,460.00 6,440.00 1,000.00 3,000.00 1,500.00 650.00 1,000.00 2,648.00 18,500.00 $lBO,OOU.OO , 1 . .\ , I l .. I I' \ I' . . ,:. r :"/: \I~, 'f": I.'.... : ~. ,.'^:. \' r>i" t' . .' r'. . ie; ,:, r<", I,:,", ) ~l~g~: l':'}I* ..J,( SEE PAGE 2 FOR SPECIFICATIONS III, IIrol'lI"' horotJy 10 furnish material and lalJor - complete in accordance with alJove specifications. for Ihe sum of: One Itundred EI gtlty Thousand and 00/100-h-------------------------dorrars ($ lBO,OOO.OO iI)'m',,1 to bll made fl' follow,: ). TO DE PAID ACCORDItlG TO BAliK DRAWS AU 'tI.I.llel ,. '10"'"""1 fu t.. It '11t'~.I,..d An WOI) 10 L. CO"'I,leled ill' "'orkmanh"e nllnnlt .UII/dUlI 10 '14nll,,1I 11f'~lln\ Ant .11.,1"011 (IF devI.hon "DOl Ibove '1leti"tI '''In' In,,'hll1l11 .,1/1 IUlh ,,'" b. "'cul"t onl, "lIOn "",UE'I'! orden. .nd will becomE'.n uh. tli.r,. I,l,,, '"d .I~,,,, II.. ',III:ul, All .it"l'mrnh COIII,nit'nl upon \111~n. ectldenh .f d.I'I' h'tlllld flUI tonll1l1 0.."" 10 ""t "11'. tornldo .nd ollll'r 'oeet'nal)' in\uranl;e Ou, MJ/'", ".lulI, ur"."tI fI, WIlI.'''l'n', CllfIll'cmuhon In'uffnee Authorized Sienalure _ Keith L. Ie ."n, Nofe: HilS proposa may tie withdrawn by us if nol accepled wilhin --=. Arrl'.'1<<lItl' II! Vrllpllllnl-The .hove price,. 'I'<'cil"."oo, "'" COfut.!UlfU 'lilt ull,'M.lo,y allll ale hereby aCcepll'd. You art' aulhoriloJd 10 dll 'he 'IllU'~ ... '1M'(llwj Piljf1'llml will be n....dc as oullmt>d above. ,,'- ~ -...... 0'1. or '-"ltl,II",,'I!" _' --_L 20 days. .--'- ~-=-- SIttnalure // .. ,/- ,.----' l .-/.~, .-.-::~ I I ! J Signa lure EXHIBIT "A" ~.prriftrnti1tlt.a Pago No. 2 of 3 pages . .. .._ __d_.__"_______._.__.__._ _ _,_ _ _ Two StO!Y,with Two"Car Garage .. ",------.--.-------- **Housepackiige-p-ri ee-subjecY to --riie'feci'se -cue .'to-i iicrease-i n'-l ulnlie-r-pri'ces. --------------------.----- EXCAVATING ALLOWANCE: $6,000.00 - Any extra costs over and above allowed price C1ueto--rocks-(dyii'dirii fe')',--etC."will be an additTona 1 cosCiiiidwil r be-billed separately. Digging....'!:.ater_lfn!, e1ectr_icJ..in!!__~_nd.0_~Lgrade..:.__.__ __WELk ALlllliAN~Ei'l:l_'~_'OOO .~g.=-.~~j'lext~.a co~!..s_. 01 Vl!!~-~.g.~lal~8y,~.-~.QWt.~ld pri ce due to roc~s, etc. w ue an auultlona cost anu Wl ue ul eu separa e y. , S'EPTrCACLllIiANCE::-SS-;-OOlf.-Oo - Any extra costs over and above alloweCl price will be an additional cost and will be billed se~ratelY. COItTRACT PRICE INCLUDES: See Building ~ecifications Sheet for all exterior and interior building materi~~ Drywall interior flnish, carpet, padding, vfnyl and ceramic t-fle according_to ~lans, seamless s~outing. BASENENT: 8" concrete footers,_~and l()"_~oured concre~e _l"'aJls, stone base under 4" concrete floor, outside entrance with Silco Door, french drain (4" sewer and drain~i~e) and threu~) windows. GARAGE: 8" concrete footer, 8" block, stone base for 6" concrete floor. FRENCH DRAIN AND/OR SUMP PUMP: ~~p_~~~p hole in basement,-pump~ if needed, 4" drain towel around house for drainage. FROrlrpORCH: 8:'-cons~.~ fo~ter, 8" ''block, stone base for 4" concrete floor, · . . . .- fJ-(tL HOUSE PACKAGE: See ~pec Sheet CARPET, PADDIN~ VINYL AND CERN1IC TILE: to be customer's choi~e with an allowance of $6,440.00 (carpet, padding and installation - $20.00 per sg~are~ar~,~eramic tile - $6.00 per square foot installed). Selections to be made at Richardson's Floor and Wall, 305 South _ _ Favette Stre~, Shipp_ensbl![g" PA 17057. ...... PAINT & STAIN: to be customer's choi~al1 walls and ceilinQs to be one color; trim color to be customer's choice. KITCHEN: to be customer's choice lI'ith an allowance of $9,460.00 KITCHEN APPLIANCES: garbagE disposal only. INSULATION: See Spec Sheet FIREPLACE: 90S fireplace lI'ith an allowance of S1,500.00. ----, ---OGHfTiiG:--to'be'customer'sct.o{ce'-i,;rtil'a-nua-TlOl'lance 0(1'-,000.00- for interior ~nrl pxt~rin'. lirllt~ '/ Submitted by -0 L L. , . THIS PAGE BECOMlS PART OF AND IN CQNFORUANce WITH PROPOSAL FOR; V to R lEHU... CONTR 'CTIN" IWO Story Y!1 th Two Car Garage r. ;. "'''''' ." '-' Job Name/No. KcrL,}'-P.'';J/.l('~" Henne KE~th L. Lehmll~, Accopted by ~.~/.....,." DUlo" - . ~ I t;- I t1hI1l.t.LSJ d' Z J " I ' .. ,-.. Dale _ -::.~!:::. " __ 19 ___~ A"cerf~d h~' '._. _ ....*_!.:..:-_ Oate--L.-=--=:"':~_ 19 .....",., 19 ~ :~. ~ -~ &prrffitutinitB 3 Pogo No. 01 3 pages .' I'LUNDINul Install all rough-In and connett,lons to adapt the followlng:_ - - ,-..- u__ h. _+_. h._. Kitchen I One (1) Amerl cast doub 1e_ bowL -sJnLw.Lt!~~_l-loeru:~rOrn'Lf~u-'~L________ with spray. One (1) PRO 33355 I ns I .n~er.a tOLdj ~PO_s!! t. DIShwasher hook-up. Ic('maker box. . - .- . ---+ -~- '.-.".---- ',. -._____n__.._..______ ._.___ Master Bat/II g~~ qj :~t~f.o~~~s~~I~nd .seat.____._,__.___.______"____._________ . '" .One II ... Moen,brass_Ja\latoryJaucet...________,___,_____._.__ ___ Bath I g~~ qj'~~~i~h~~~~e~n~i~-.~~:J 11FMoen'-brass-tub'lshoWerfaucet-:----.. .--, .One .ll . Moen. br,ass..1 avatoryJau_cet..______._____________ . LaundrYI.One( lLwasl1 Ing machJne__boll._____ MIsc... __One..( 1) .gas_water _heater. Two (2) outdoor hydrants. ELECrillCI-All-sw'ffCiies-'and recepT;;c1es wired to code, customer's choice for --.--... --- '. .-. ___receptac1 e.. placement, .meta_LU gllt_boxes_fLLe.v,eD'.J:9.Q!!1.. _rec_e.s.sed 11ghts in kitchen, lights in every closet, 200 amp underground 0_- -___a. --.- _serv! ce ,_two -( ZLQuar..tz_.Lights_ofLexteri or _O.f.J1Qt.!s_e,ioll.r..HL outside receptacles, access pipe from basement to attic for any -.-----.-- -.-___cx tr.a.curcu I tLl'oLfutur.Luse. -.--- -IlEA TI NG 1.,..Ga s Jur.nace ..for.ced -hot...a-iLwf.th_cerltr..aLai r. '-'--..-- ..SI DEh'ALKSI.JronLonly, _3 ~_wide ...6~_concrete. . ------ - COIITRACL PR I CLDOES_NOLl NCLUDE _GRAD I NG JUID_SEEDl NG-OE..LAW1LOR.J.ANDSCAf>.ING. WIl/CH WILL BE THE RESPOllSIBILITY OF THE Ol.INERS. ---.----.----.------------ - - - ANY CHANGES MADE TO THE BLUEPRINT THAT WILL INCREASE THE PRICE OVER WHAT IS -- --ALLOWED - WILL.BLAN ..ADD IJj ONAL _COSLTO ..THE_CUSIOI-JER.--1HE..tQSIJIiCRElISE_D_UE...J.Q AllY CHANGES WILL BE PAID BY THE CUSTOMER BEFORE WORK IS COMPLETED AND A CHANGE ----- ORDER - fORM .1/ ILLBE -COI1PLETED _AND__S I GNED-BLIHLCU5I0I1ER. -------.-..---... -----_..__.._.-._-_.._-_.._-----_..__.~--_._-+------- ,._,- -'.. .--..., '__'.'___u._+_.. ..._--.-.._- -------.- ----______n____.. K &. R LEH~~t.~ CONTRf.("Tl~G K~ fth L. Lehma~, Suhn'lIud by J.: l L __ Dole J I' "L___Z '\ _ 19. 5, 7. "" THIS PAGE 8ECOMF;,S rAnT DF ArID !N CONFpnJ.1;oNCE \'IjTH PRQPOSAL Fon. 1~'C, ~tO:~Y tiltl. 'h'C, l.ar bGrage Job NarnelNo. j~~-r_j=---En~~.L~.7.l ~~=-~U~ - - .~ ',' ;.>.... ~,- . Accepled by --=- .-,- c'" Dale ,- 19:::> - l"jIJI"~!1 . . Accepl('j by~:'~ - -.. ':'~:=::--_oale~~.::.......~=--,_ 19 ~-;"-;o, ", . '. Mr. & Mrs. Kerry R. Henne 113 Petersburg Road Carlisle, PA 17013 Phone: (717) 249-1023 Two Story with Two Car Garage BUILOER: K & R Lehman Contracting 2107 Walnut Bottom Road Carlisle, PA 17013 Phone: (717) 258-1204 PROPOSED DRAW SCHEDULE: (20%) 1. Upon completion of basement and subfloor. $ 34,000.00 (25%) 2. Upon completion of house framing with doors and windows installed and shingles installed. $ 42,500.00 (20%) 3. Electric and plumbing roughed-in, insulated and ready for drywall. $ 34,000.00 (15%) 4. Orywall installed, painting completed, kitchen (20%) installed and exterior completed. $ 25,500.00 5. Trim installed, carpet, padding, vinyl and ceramic tile installed and house ready to move in. $ 34,000.00 TOTAL $170,000.00 14:S[3 SoI"I'<,"on No. . 8~lld.. . ,4K t.ell/~41'1 0-" K!.u~ -':t.f~tr o."'n fo, Qllall J..,,,, ~ '21 - r 1 0.10 .fllA.. TyptofHulldln, 2 - S'1012~ llUILUINl; SPECIFICATIONS . Quo.. No I'I1on. .DuJld., Phont .Otm., 0... Q\lolod P.I'lS 2 SB . I L., If G'< '1 - 10 C!. 3 o.lo.fo.U..". L... I '~h-.J 'l;:-s~ ft1~e.. (Uvlng Room (right) or Oeft) taclnl frOllt or houle) NOTE: En'll h.",. I. q.- .....rellnr l<> lIuJld.,'. 0' Own..'. ~llcado"", PI..... fill oulllo_ 'PO'" .....fuDy, I...... "'...." YES WfLl.. liE BUPPI.lED. llolll.l",".hd NO 0' (NOT LISTED) "ILL NOT BE SUPPI.lED. BASEMENT MATEIl1ALS AND PANELII; 12. YES @) con'lnlcdon .1... I.~O lttlIJoolulDlII 13. (YES) NO Indftoo,pl)'lODOd '3h I,..,...! {, I. <t!i!'lO "",.. (wood .llIy) s; e.. E l...... :u YES @ oon_.n ,I... .. n:s ~ """"q.oth.. llll. @JNO balt"'.nlllal.. < 4. ('RS-:)NO .......nllllnd....lt;n>t) A VI Ow I......... l.....ri.1 oblY)(1W-CU1 onIY~...plltoly pre.buiilt> a. YES @ ""-.'!llllerlo,doo.. lIl\. YES NO b.......nltlal'nlllnd black.lo 5. YES @J ...."'.nlln..ri.,doo.. PANEL SYlITEM: 7. n:s@) ....1Il..lIlllerl.'woodplln.,. 27. Gis )NO lmallrialonly)(pa..r.)!hel.hl ) e. YES@) "--OIllllllerio, "",,.1 ahlllhiDr I 28, @>O .. eGrDen YES ~ ......"'fDlblterio,putitlG.. lmallrllloPllly) (pa..J')lh~bl) YES@) liel4 Ipplied l<>p plaia r:, paMI. n:s ~ .........1 farttb, otrip.t (alerio,) Unllrio,) 1lO.~O 29. Q~o 10. II. 12. @.>O 1iD_ltrllnaulallo.) I'. ~o liD pl.Qe lrerulat(trutedL> IlC~" oth.,. WOOD n.ooR SYSTEMS: 14. n:s@..)lolftoo,lruutto IS. YES@) Zndfloo,lruutto ISA. YES @> I. C Iloor Ir1wo b..el... I'. ~NO ".lloo,J.I... T...\ I IS' (.," 0 .(. n. @ NO WlloorJoil" .s~. 34. 18. @) NO fIoo'JOitlobozin~1.j S'\Y(\oop ~o 35, 19, ~NO 1ol/2ndnoo,joilloc.ndlevor :16. 20, YES @ llridrin, fo, noor jol. (..ood) fm,"1J ~ :3 ,. T f b ./) 21. ~ NO lot noo, plywood r. 81. @)IO 3Io\.@)NO !2. @)NO 33. @) No 830\. cYE~L "No @..)Io @NO @)NO 36A,(@) No PI" lor.. fl., .... ..lorl., ..nel. .11\ noo, 2. Y I.{ Ie." 0 .(. S'TUI<I.I~ i 'lllerlo,paner. .2Ddn_ c;'"""", '. .."'rlor ",...IhI.o, . 2nd 1100' _1. !l~ -S~, ~ eomtn . .. ....... pan.r. (h'bHalabll e.e '/1.." O~" ..teriollb..lhirl........ ~ ~.~ In"rio, plntl.. lot noor 2., It Ie. 'I o. C::. Jnttrior pane Ie. 2nd aGOr S' '" "'--'L double lop pJ.lt I. "'rio, pantl. fldo'y Ipplied 1I.ld .pplled ~ ti.ld Ipplltd lop pr.", '=::::;.11';., Pln.r. ==:- ..lIib, n.lI" 2 .6Colhor) 20 PI'HUI.lud. fo, hra<ln.., bulkhead DI...ri.1 Il<. /lD12 . C. 16' fo, brann.., etc. JAN-22-1998 14:50 ......... Y- . :I:'~ gi'L ~ 10/1'- pilch pilch pilch pilch hip ohod ,.mb..1 la_nord 0111" 11. @YO rooltru.... .. @)NO ...taltruu.po.... II. C~")NO truub"d.'h4(0\h"~ ' /I 40. <Xi) NO ,obi. ...... ("'.o\hod) Z. O~fJ 41. ns@ pbl,,"olo(.heolhed) 42. @> NO Illftan I I 43, l~ NO ooIIl..lolllta 44. (YES::>NO brid,!.. lor ..W,,'oIala (wood/metal) 45. ~ NO rllIt. pole 46. @)NO .lIi.knoo.oU. 47. @)NO' .......porUorCllrport 013. @NO 49. €s)NO 150. YES@ &1. ~NO &2. YES NO 113. 0 &4. NO 156. NO 156. NO ". ..... overh.nl (Crom Ilud Une) It II ,obI. overhonl (hom Ilud IInel \~" ,.bl. overbo., Iaddu. ov.III... ...Ium ~riol (wood) rootobeothin, .2l!.<.:' (.)... tJ ., rool plywood clip. A1l111l1Dum drip ecl&e (eaves a: pblel) @)S, toOrrel@olb. roor oblnalu 5. exPOOUIe A1:lt.l.,. bond o ",,",\l." ~ c:..ot.rt 114 ~ color .225 FIG other &7. @)NO .roornall. 118, ~ NO '181l1DlinOlD lIuhlna 59. ~ NO proper ftol 150. @) NO 00&< venl brown ..hi.. blaek 81. YE~ Iouvr.. ("ood) site (oIumillum) Ii.. pordl ....m wood ....red YES i ..rport ....... .tnmlaom ..nncI YES N c:o.rport Itoam lIOOd co-.d YES 0 on:h boanl. (I .... a old..) 75. @NO pord: ~~, wood or ~ Iiz. CI 63 ~NO &4. @ NO 66. ~ NO 66. YES (]; @ NO YES ~ M. @) NO 67. 118, 70. C!.~ NO YES GiliJ 71. 72. 73. 74. P.05 IUmlnUD1'.~ oIwnlnllDl ooIlil & lucla 'Yllc'" cola, food. bo.n1.(.II.) 'Z,.1i, Z-it''' nke boanl. (oh,) wood Gml.ad r.ed..)"Itfa:l oomllQ be ftolod 1/8 Y 213 _ all _ ..,lfit ftlll otrip 001". (oIre) poICb or carpolt coW.. (l)umloOlll) /3/8' plJ'1fOC)d>S V \ "".. ( pon:h ....m .tllllllna", ....red 7ll. @No porch poIlI ..ppolt 77. C~')NO ltroelW'lI...."'. 77A.@>0 "mlnlled'-",(.) WTNDOWS AND EXTERIOR OOORS AND GARAGE DOORS: 78. <!~) NO Dv.lllold &mie cIoor1: iIllUla~O 1Iy1. .c~~ fj\.<~1 lnDd CcoC'1~\1 l1un<! olre 'Z. - B 'f 1<" I 1 ~ q ~1 S '3 79. ~NO 80. ~ NO 81.~NO 81^~NO 82. @) NO 83. @ NO P." 2 01 4 110. or.leelr\.operato.. 110.oltronlllllllc.. ov.llleod ...... door(.) lDoI01lccl pror- door Ira.k, ....ler. Jlmb.. and briekmold .I<l<rior "'7rncc doon (.lcoJ) (wood) brand ~(e. fronldoolllyl_ -H. IS" IUrdooulyl. ---1:l- ,e 'i 110... to rlrar' Ilyl. 1-\ - I '70 0111.... ~" jlmb widlh "lerior door oid.U.ht@.r (21 lockatt., .It.andle Ityle, .lite,. front only I I J~-22-1998 .""'u. ._~ ~~.@) NO ... ,@ NO 14:S1 "u,....uun..,. .a....n'" Dr. lochOlt,.lnltlj....brond ~ '" I ",<:.1.. . ,t~I~; ~::-.. .om<.)(.oodll.lumln....) ~ , e1u (.,".. \,. t\ In... ~1l""1~""" wlad....: (oIn:l. oIool""') ANDERSEN OTHER aln&Je aJUt IDtuloted aJlU ?tuld~ ("DI&/I pelf. aJ~ ICt'OellS low E II... @E:> primed 15.~o telnoloDe IIDIInJ.Ihcd Ili.... YES ~ .kyU... (dICI. .Hlred) brand: fixed opontla, d...o nil I5B. @JNO 1A..llted fincl,tau Inp...ld. _ ocUl,.n _ oth.r .:::i..- I5C. ~ wind.. pan.l. EXTERIOR TRIM, SIDINGS, ETC, N. YES @ trin. boal1la (.b.) 87. YES @ eomle. trim 88. YES @)...loeelllnooOl ..IIr1.r 1II.ldln.. 89, ~O wlndo...h.lten(dlCl.i1"irtdll.UV'red~ 90. YES@ dOOI.hullon (ellCl. d,"irodll..v.recI . p.nel 91. YES@) .ecorativ. fr.nt door trim ond he.d wood .Iyle typon .tyle 12. @ NO oldl~. Ind .ce....ri.. 921., fJ/ A brie. tbj' bullderl (dlCle ..h... brie.) f"mt ",hI end ft., I.n end 13, 114, Ilbl.. other YES @).~poll .nd ....th..v.n.lh....'ehiekenl YES @) ~'''rior dKk .1.. lC'il'C'lt dui"dt .lAln horiz.ont..al nil pickfl "il other il.Uir, indiutt hcirht "aradt to d<<ku _ Pa,t 3 01 4 P.O? .. 94A. @>NO ...ood .hl... INTEItI0n 11llMS, DOORS, HI/ELVINO, ETC. ~. (mJNO .aln 11&1..: width ~. bo.ed k . pine.... pln. ./pla. otria,on ... .n..... .,... .tri",.ra 01. Ind 01. ./pln. .trIn,.... 1I(j, @)NO ...In .lalr ralllnl . .... .JL. bllCh L 8'1. @> NO ....1I.rb.lconyralU... 87.... YES @ pr..ammblcd Il&lr rail !lll. @)NO lrImmtd opealb.. eg, @)No pn,ho.... Inllrl.f.doo.. (drdtdulred) t:Nw,"'t:.lca.-c.. IpUIJambl C C&I~ IIDCU( lOoH'J Q peJambs~ ~':~ C&sln. .pplled F/I Lamb. 100. (YES) NO 010011 d..~"'edlbl,r.lci?)lidlnll) 101. (y~ NO pock.t ..... 102. @Yo Inlerl.rwlnd...ndd..r"Iin~'(drd'd'olred) ~. Z"I nneh ~ au V . fin,.r IoIDt Ccl..~ 102G.JNO wind.w 0111. (dlCl. d..lred) . ~ plel.... fnm. 1028, YES@ window trim dry.....1I ...Ium. . .pron " .tool only 103. ~O b...bOlnllll m'Lch(.I"I(~) 104, YES (fjj) b....h.. IOS. @ NO metllel...t rOd. ond .h.lv.. 106. ~NO wood .helv.. .nd m.tll.od. 107. YES~ oak noorinll'pl'ffin. un"n,' \ '1 ')C , (( I J .,.. , J \ , I ! i ( I C.,.,h.r.') lOll. YES G .. . pll'lC."I~'here?1 109. YES €J ~ . partlel. bo.n1lwh....?1 I09A.@JNO HARDWARE 110. @ NO :::: ~:: '~'Iaulnpll'(wh...?) -BA-/1..c -t- KJ;:I"" ll4vl<""'1 .f cOlted nails undtrlll)'mtnl nail. finilhinl n.ill J~~-22-19ge 14:51 p.ee - IIC; '~O mleooUaDoo" hanl...... or 101 kind Capod!y) <!DtlaI r.a.w..n)(ochlr) '121; YES cE2) hulkhOld lIoJ.h 1lI.lOrlal (..plaln) 127. @) NO yAAltl.. (I.plal.ll) C,.u ~ ~ ""- 1N8t1LA110N8: 118. ~NO a~l J rf4ld InoWatlo. (l)'pId I ( s-n.. rtJO~ e.. mllrior .ppUeatlo. <1oa)@ llIdarlor .PPUeatlo~ (ao) 118. (nvNO ~1aRI.1I0n~_ 117. ~) NO atarior wall buoulatloD.1- \ '3 III. 1'1:8 @) Ialalor waU lDnIalloa 'D. ~.. ................ 11- 1tO.' NO ftoor....tlIowr IaoaIalloa 112. YES NO ""'dow """ ulerior door lDnIalloa ~vpo("'" ~.e~ 8!'ECIAL INTERIOR 'l1U14S AND EXTERIOR TRIMS: 123. YES @ 131. YES 132. YES 183. YES NO 1114. YES ti'o W. YES NO lOB SIn:: COUNTY ell ,Y\(J ~oI" (~h.I 8TATE fA 128. @>NO .......r 14>"" (u,laIa 00Wrlq) rnlk6t.c LuIC Pol "'- 'c,... MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, 129. YES@.> poJJ do,," tol~ afaIn 11 ~ ,q ISO. YES @) tal.. dlDO"lIl.., Ileam. (I..../wood) @) chi...., paado NO " l~ NO er\caoIOD Jaml>1 t01' ""'do.. wla ~ABINETS AND VANITIES: 1:14. ~ NO t1leh... eablDlIa (uplaln) C'-l ~-4<. ~ aA-t. OPl'IONS DESmED llemi.. aU olllloaala "'lDirlcl ror PIicinI 1 " .' llpodal.OleOorodd!tio.lllafonn.t1on: P.e. C or C TOTAl P.08 " " ;. ,:' I'! , , ~- I i " .~~ r) , ~. oJ " ^' , :J , . '1 - .:J ,. i .' I - " ''11 r'~) .:) ", (1) '-., ., " .Tl "II :-1 , ":1 .") .,<. (j -" ~~? ~l u , n -, C'l .,.... :::! :.0 In -< ..~ ~ U) r=: ~ ~;s .. .-:, ~~ c') :.J..f r..l:;,. :r. (....". i$ .. !;. Q.. (:-"I~:::; c;) . ". ~- m ~"0) 1::: 1 "12': p-'" \IJ Z ,";jiD ?-= ::;:, (1,)(.1.. -, ::~ 'j, ex:: ::> 0 CT\ U . ~ ' , ~~ ~~. 'lil.~e ~~ ~! ~l fllm ;~ j~ E-<a: Cob ~ t3 -ft) , I~~:::: I1ltl:::l ........:;c ... .e. a: ':;l .~ E.;! 0: ......,8 :c _ .~~ . r:l 15 ... , ' . .~ . :> ~ ,.., III ~ ..., l>.lrJ~ ~I~ l>l 21 I l>.l u ~el ~H~ UjE.;!:E!! t:8 ~a:~ H2 j~~ ~~! ~~~ ~~~. ~ . , ~o . o , oll~" ~ ~ 1<\' :s '<_ ~ i2 R- ~~~ 9 - ~ ... i:I ~ '1<\ 110 111 ~-.:o ~ ~ ti.L N fJ~j. ,Q ~~ 6' ~, ~ !li:jD Cl :r: '" '" ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .~ ~ ~ ~ ~d ~ ."," , .. ;,.- .',.' .', .4 , . . KEITH L, LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, t/d/b/u K & R LEI'IMAN CONTRACfING, Pluintiffs IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA No. lJM,I142 Civil Term v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Defendunts Jury Triul Demunded ORIlER AND NOW, this _ day of June, IlJlJM, upon consideration of Defendants' Motion for Continuance of Argument, said Motion is DENIED and the purties are hereby ordered to submit briefs upon which this Court will render a decision on Defendants' Preliminary Objections. Oral argument of Defendants' Preliminary Objections is canceled. 1. j , ! , ! "I .~' 1I;\1'I1.I1..N'^ TM'tI.lNiI\N!M I( 'lJlNIl~/.I Moll'" I ''''JIr.I: nUl-VIM 12:~1~'lI'M Nnl'W.l: IIt''''JIMIl'':IIt;ll~^M KEITH L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, t/d/b/a K & R LEHMAN CONTRACfING, Plaintiffs IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ~JUN 081998 No. lJX,I142 Civil Term v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants Jury Trial Demanded ANSWER OF PLAINTIFFS TO nEFENnANTS' MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF ARGUMENT ANn NEW MATTER AND NOW, come the Plaintiffs, Keith L. Lehman and Tammy Lehman, trading and doing business as K & R Lehman Contracting, by ami through their attorneys. MaTtson, Deardorff, WilIiam~ & Otto, and hereby answer as follows: I. Admitted. 2. Admitted in part, denied in part. It is admitted that this case involves routine claim~ in contract, including consequential damages, arising from a transaction in which Plaintiffs constructed a residence for Defendants. It is denied that Plaintiffs' claim~ are limited to contract claim~. By way of further answer, these issues are so routine that the issues can be resolved on briefs. 3. Admitted. 4. Denied. Plaintiffs' claims for damages are in excess of $25,000. 5. Admitted. 6. Admitted. 7. Admitted. "' H. Denied. All the defenses raised by Defendants in their preliminary objections have either been cllJ'ed witb Defendants', or Defendants' counsel's, knowledge or are clearly frivolous and/or dilatory in nature. Moreover, Plaintiffs are being prejudiced by Defendants' dilatory bebavior and will continue to be prejudiced and irreparably harmed by u further delay of these proceedings. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request that this Court deny Plaintiffs' motion for a continuation of argument. NEW MA'n'ER lJ. The responses in paragraphs I through H are incorporated herein as if fully set forth. 10. On March 2, IlJlJH, Plaintiffs brought this action against Defendants in an effort to collect $17,261.7H owed to them under a construction contract, plus consequential damages. II. Although Defendants admitted in writing through their former counsel, Robert G. Frey, Esquire, that they still owe Plaintiffs at least $4,346.13, no further payments have been made to Plaintiffs, and Plaintiffs have been forced to bring an action against Defendants to collect not only amounts in dispute but also amounts admitted as owed to Plaintiffs. 12. On March 30, IlJlJH, Defendant filed preiiminary objections to Plaintiffs' complaint claiming that K & R Lehman Contracting was not a registered fictitious name, that the Defendants did not complete change order forl1t~, and that the complaint lacked specificity. 13. Since the filing of the preliminary objections, Plaintiffs, with Defendants' counsel's knowledge, have (I) cured the fictitious name objection by registering a fictitious name, and (2) have cured the specificity objection by providing an itemized list of claims to Defendants' counsel at his request. The objection regarding the change order form is clearly frivolous given that Plaintiffs 2 ,"' fran~dtheir complaint partially in unjust enrichment and because this objection concerns lImalerial fllct in dispute. 14. Nevertheless, Defendants have refused to withdraw any of their preliminary objections, even those objections that have been cured. 15. On May 22, IlJlJH, Plaintiffs listed the preliminary objections for argument for June 24, IlJlJH, in an effort to move the case forward and dispose of the objections. 16. Pluintiffs believe, and therefore aver, that Defendants' request to continue the argument on their objections to August is yet another delay tactic being employed to hinder the progress of this case, to intentionally prejudice the Plaintiffs, and to delay an inevitable judgment in favor of the Plaintiffs. 17. Plaintiffs operate a smull, family construction business and are being greatly prejudiced by these efforts to delay resolution of this case. I H. Due to Defendants' refusal to move this case forward and permit Plaintiffs to collect the amounts owed to them, Plaintiffs are unable to pay subcontractors for work performed in connection with the construction of Defendants' home in which they are now living. IlJ. Every day that this case is left unresolved, the Plaintiffs sink further und further into arrears with regards to these subcontractors. 20. Until Plaintiffs can pay these subcontractors, Plaintiffs cannot operate their business because many of the necessary subcontructors will not' perform work for them until they, or their colleagues, are paid. 3 21. Unnecessary and intelllional delay oflhis case will continue to prejudice I'llIintill~ IInd will eXllcerb:lle the domino effect already put into place by Defendants' refusaltn pay whllt is nwed under the contract. 22. Plaintiffs will be permanently and irreparllbly harmed by a eontinulltion of the orlll lIrgument in that Plaintiffs will cOlllinue to lose business opportunities and will suffer harm to their reputation us reputable contractors. 23. By Defendants' counsel's own admission, this case eoncerns routine eontract clail1t~. 24. Given the simplicity of the issues, Plaintiff.~ submit that this Court can decide the preliminary objections on briefs alone and should do so in order to prevent further delay of this case and to prevent unnecessary prejudice and irreparable harm to Plaintiffs and their business. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff.~ respectfully request that this Court deny Plaintiff.~' motion for a continuation of argument and order the parties to submit brief.~. \ , I MARTS ON, DEARDORFF, WILLIAMS & 0110 Date: June H, IYYR By ~~.iJ, Ivo V. Otto, III, Esquire PA Attorney LD. No. 27763 Carl C. Risch, Esquire PA Attorney LD. No. 75901 Ten East High Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-3341 Attol'lleY.I'fol' Plailltifj:\' j 4 (/' . i~ l.:;'~. d;: :(: l' f'.:/'; ',i,; 3f;~ :rii, ,.1':". . . KEITH L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, t/d/b/ll K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, PllIintiffs IN THE COURT or COMMON I'LEAS or CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA No. lJH-1142 Civil Term v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants Jury Trial Demanded VERIFICATION I, Keith Lehman, certify that the facts alleged in the foregoing are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. This statement is made subject to the penalties of IH Pa.C,S. *4lJ04 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. Date: June 5, IlJ9H ~~ 5 KEITH L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, tldlbla K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, Plaintiffs IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTy,PENNSYLVANIA No. lJH.1142 Civil Term v. KERRY R, HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Jury Trial Demanded Defendants CI<:RTWICATI<: 01<' SI<:RVICI<: I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was served this date by depositing the same in the Post Office at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: Wayne F. Shade, Esquire 53 West Pomfret Street Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 MARTSON, DEARDORFF, WILLIAMS & OTTO By ~JLCf}~ Carl C. Risch, Esquire PA Attorney LD. No. 75lJOl Ten East High Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-3341 Attol'lleysfol' PlaintiffS Date: June H, IlJ9H 6 '". KEITII L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEI-IMAN, Ildlbln K & R LEIIMAN CONTRACTING, PlnintiOl; IN TI-/E COURT OF COMMON ('LEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. No. 98-1142 Civil Term KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants Jury Trial Demanded ORDER AND NOW, this _ day ofJune, 1998, upon consideration of Defendants' Motion for Continuance of Argument, said Motion is DENIED and the parties are hereby ordered to submit briefs upon which this Court will render a deeision on Defendants' Preliminary Objections. Oral argumcnt of Defendants' Prcliminary Objeetions is caneeled. J. ) I II. !~ : ,f' i ' J I,:'~ ii" : \1":,"',' I ,_.~ '1', \, " " , , i ~~ 11 /i{" tE & C\J ~ '. :::: .'ro '<i ~ .-: ,J !...J~'..\ ' (J...... ...., ,..... ...-, );?'S '?' r,) itJ..... ", ~":J I.'t'f.I:! [j - - ~ "q' t:f " " I' ~- ( ...;' :~l~:;! ;;/:::i'>< ~ >>(", . i'~..iii,~i(;.J",,:" :1,:~'~:~~J!il 'u;'es~ " 1,;,r~iA f,!,~i~~~\~'" ",,,,,,,,,Y,~,~; .J.. ~ ~~ '.,:U ~~ ~o . u ~~ ~ ~ 71 tl ','~ .::~ "..~J ,:.J ... ':'8' .'!:J ;,; of tl, Ij Jl Ill!~ ~ . ~ ~ ~ . - :,' "",:,., '.',' "',-' .~" . , . ,~-" ' ~ . (: W ^ YNE F. S"^DE Allomey llll.aw 53 Wcsl"omfrcl Slrecl Carlisle, f'enns)'h'unia 17013 . , KEITH L. LElIMAN nnd : IN TI IE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF TAMMY LEI IMAN, l/d/b/n : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYL VANIA K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, : CIVIL ACTION. LA W Plnintil1S v, KERRY R. I-IENNE nnd JOAN M. HENNE. Detendants : NO. 98.1142 CIVIL TERM : JURY TRIAL DEMANDED NOTICE You have been sued in Court. If you wish to defend againstlhe claims set forth in the following pages, you must lake action within twenty (20) days aller the pleadings and Notice arc served, filing in writing with the Court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You arc warned that if you fai/to do so the case may proceed without you and a jUdgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice tor any money claimed in the pleadings or for any other claim of relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HA VE A LA WYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE TI-lE OFFICE SET FORTI-l BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP. Cumber/and County Bar Association 2 Liberty A venue Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 Telephone: (717) 249-3166 v~~ WaynCJ'f.. Shade, Esquire Supreme Court No. 157 I 2 53 West Pomfret Street Carlisle, Pennsylvania J 7013 Telephone: 7 17-243-0220 Attorney tor Defendant 4. Admiltc'd. By wuy o/'Iilrthcr unswcr, Dclcndllnls uvcr Ihullhc AgrccmCnl spccificd vurious ullowunccs which would cnlillc Dclcndunls 10 crcdils in lhc cvcnllhal the uClual cosls wcrc not us much us "whut is ullowcd". It is lilrthcr udmiltcd lhut thc Agrccmcnt providcd lhut uny chungcs "involving cxtra cosls" or "lhat will incrcusc lhc price ovcr what is allowed" and which will "bc paid by thc customer bclore work is completed and u change order fonn will bc completcd and signed by thc customer". It is dcnied that any incrcased costs were ever spccificd in any changc orders. On the contrary, Dcfcndanls aver that they rcpeatedly requested infonnation as to any increases in costs duc to changes in thc specifications but that Plaintiffs ncvcr indicated any such increascs eithcr orally or in writing prior to lhe completion ofthe changes. 5. The avennents of~5 ofthc Complaint arc denied. On thc contrary, Defendanls aver that, aftcr rcasonablc investigation, they arc without knowlcdge or infonnation sut1icient to fonn a belief that Plainliffs ever specified any increased cosls in any change order or indicatcd any increases in costs eithcr orally or in writing prior to thc complelion of the changes. 6. The ave.nnents of~6 ofthe Complaint arc admitted in part and denied in part. It is admittcd thallhc Agrecmenl spcci fied various allowances which would enlitle W A YNIi F. SIlAllli AlIom,),.IIAW Dclcndanls 10 crcdils in lhc cvcnt that thc actual costs wcre not as much as "what is 5JWcsll'omrrCISlrttl CarUslc"lcnnsYlunill 17013 -2- '0'-. ---on allowcd", II is dcnicd that thc "pennissiblc subtractions" wcrc inthc amount 01'$13.429. On the contrury, Dcfcndants aver that thc pcnnissiblc sublructions IIrc in cxccss of $14.429, 7. Thc avcnncnts of~7 ofthc Complaint arc dcnicd. On thc contrary, Defcndants avcr that, whcn agrccd crcdits and compcnsation for construction dcfccts and uncompleted work are taken into account, nothing is owcd to Plaintiffs. 8. The avennents of~8 of the Complaint arc denied. On the contrary, Defendants aver that Plaintiffs abandoned certain materials at thc construction site, that Dcfendants have repcatedly requested that Plaintiffs remove the items and that Plaintiffs have refused to do so. 9. The avennents of~9 of the Complaint are denied. On the contrary, Dcfendants aver that Plaintiffs never completed perfonnance under thc contract. 10. The avennents of~1O of the Complaint are admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Defendants have made payments to Plaintiffs under the Agreemcnt in thc amount 01'$164,000, but it is denicd that there is an unpaid balanee 01'$17,261.78. On thc contrary, Defendants aver that, when agreed credits and compcnsation lor WAYNE F. SIlAllE Allomc)' al Law S3 West Pomfrcl Slrccl Carlislc,l'cnnsyhanill 17013 -3- II~.; I'" [! i I, . " , , iu 'i , . ' ! i, " \o:",~ , , ' WAYNE F. SIIAIJE Allomc)'Dll..aw 5JWcslflomrrclSlreel Corlislc.IJcnns)'I\'onill 17013 '". purticulurly sct fbrth in thc uvcnncnts of thc Countcrcluim hcrcin which urc incorporutcd hcrein by rcfercncc us though thlly sct fbrth. 16. The uvcrmcnts of,,16 ofthc Complaint arc dcnied. On thc contrury, Detendunts uvcr that Plainiins havc substuntially und matcrially brcachcd thc Agrcemcnt as morc particularly sct Ibrth in thc uvcnncnts ofthc Countcrcluim herein which arc incorporatcd herein by rclercncc as though fhlly sct forth. 17. The avcnnents of~ 17 of thc Complaint arc denicd. On thc contrary, Dcfendants avcr that, when ugreed crcdits and compensation for construction defccts and uncompleted work arc takcn into aecount, nothing is owed to Plaintiffs. COUNT II UNJUST ENRICHMENT 18. Thc avcnnents' of~~1 through 13 ofthc Complaint, bcing at issuc, no thrthcr response is required. 19. Thc avcnncnts of~19 ofthc Compluint arc dcnicd. On thc contrary, PlaintirtS avcr that, when agrccd crcdits and compcnsation Ibr construction dcfccts and uncompletcd work arc takcn into aecount, nothing is owcd to PlaintirtS. ,\ , , I , , ,1 !'~"\ i{ ~, I 'I 'I , I, , , , " .5- "' 20. The avcnnents of~20 ofthc Complaint arc denied, On thc contrary. the IInswcr to ~8 IIbove is incorporutcd hercin by rcfcrcnce liS though fully sct forth. 21. The IIvcnnents of~21 ofthe Complaint are denied. On the contrury, PllIintifls avcr that, whcn agrccd credits and compcnsation for construetion defects IInd uncompleted work arc tllken into account, nothing is owed to Plaintiffs. WHEREFORE, Dcfcndants dcmand that the Complaint bc dismisscd and that judgment be entcred in favor of Defcndants and against Plaintiffs. NEW MATTER 22. Plaintiffs aver that they are trading and doing busincss as K & R Lehman Contracting. 23. Plaintiffs do not liver that the fictitious name under which they are trading and doing business has becn properly rcgistercd as such as rcquircd by law. 24. There is no indication in the Complaint as to how the lctters "K & R" could rcfer to a person by thc name ofTlImmy Lehman. W A YNH F. SnAil!, Anotncyal1.aw '3 Wnll'omrrcl Slreet Carli!lc,l'cnnsyl\ania 17013 -6- l , ) I I{ 11 \. II! I ' , , " :.: > , " " .' , I'"' , ' 25. Therc is no indication in thc Complaint as to who thc "R" would havc bccn in K & R Lchman Contracting. WHEREFORE, Dcfendants dcmand thatthc Complaint bc dismisscd I'or lack of capacity to sue and that judgment bc entcrcd in favor of Defcndants and against Plaintiffs. COUNTERCLAIM 26. Thc Agrecment exprcssly rcquired that all work was to be completed in a workmanlike manner aecording to standard practices. 27. The dwelling was to be constructed in accordance with a specific floor plan design. 28. The stairway between the first and seeond floors was not constructed in accordance with the design specifications. 29. Plaintiffs installed cap shingles on the roof which did not match the color of the remaining shingles. 30. The shinglcs on the roofwcrc installed with exposed nails which havc caused WAYNE F. SHADE AlIomey allAw S3 West Pomfrct Street Carlisle. Pcnnsyh'llnill 11013 leaks in the interior of the dwclling. -7- 1; I.., 'f :11 " I 31. The first Iloor joists arc too smull to support the Iloor, 32. The circuit breakcr on thc panel for the sump pump does not control thc sump pump. 33. The use of small clectric powered tools in the house causes thc lights to dim. 34. The kitchen island which contains thc gas rangc is not stationary. 35, Plaintiffs failed to paint four doors in thc dwelling. 36. Plaintiffs did not install the screens for the windows. 37. PlaintiffS did not providc screens for the windows in the bonus room and for onc of the windows in the garage. 38. "~ .. I I ,/ , II . II. I; \ Ii Plaintiffs did not install a vcnt for the clothes drycr. 39. Plaintiffs did not construct the stairs to the basement in accordanee with the WAYNE F. SilAnE AIIUm"AlI.." Township Code provisions therefor. 53 West I'omrrtt SUCCI Carlisl~.I'cnns)l\Dnja 17013 -8- '"' The statements in the fbregoing Answer, New Matter ullll Counterclaimure bused upon infonnation which hils been assembled by my IIttorney in this litigution. The langullge of the stlltements is not my own. I hllve relld the stlltements: und to the extent that they arc bllsed upon infbnnlltion which I have given to my counsel, they lire true and correct to the best of my knowledge, informlltion and belief. lunderstund that fitlse statements herein lire made subject to the penalties of 18 l'a.C.S. ~4904 relating to unsworn litlsification to aulhorities. Date: August 11, 1998 ~4~ KctrY~R. Henne (..--.~ ::-1-(._.... 11'\ / 1-,,-- Joan ~' Henne tJ () WAVNH F. SUAIlI: AltumC)'IlII.AW jJWcstl'omrrctSlrtet Carlislc,Pcnnsyl\'llnil1 17013 i,'",(: .- .': 'j,,' ,... "C".': r:= ,~""" rh", ~~)~ , q;J ~'i:0 ',.,14 I1J(i,) (ua.. ' :..... ,':'.:,'B' () '"' " ,,-" 'r. :"_!::./</~, .j,' ',-' - ~',' ~; ." '-..; ./ ';" .. . 'J ',! '" "": ,',;,'/A',,/.};;'1t,k'\'" " "::(":h;;~Y~%t;~;:~':,?;;ii .' .' ", ,. ~ ,~? .'.t :':11' ''r.~:I't'?JJa: (;:,' -' ,') ", '1~ -y....,l'::i ';-: "~;:;F~':kfg~~~ ;1 .,', -"',:"" ~,'f-Iii;"O')'\l:.):"'\, r ", !':'.~'!~\;!:i;~ftf}~ . rIJ' 'Ii!' ,[9",i:,;,."", :f;.;'t;:l': fi2;;S;: ,', f~'.~,~~;/ti :::'~'~;'j;j't;{ ....,' '. . . ~ ,} '~r'/~ , tf'\:') "/" , ."",~,...~:\!.:'r :':,/" '~)~'~':,.,;"",~,' ',',;:.;,::.' ,'" '(:."" );;;,?, ".;-;,,:,;:_,:-,;:;,~_'- r,." ,- ,',~, , , ',' '.:l';: ',,' , , :'.'" '" ..,. :; 1} , .' ,~' ..' Ul <I , 0 U' ~I ~o 15~ '::i!!:) 1 ~ Q ,. '.. ,~.. ';': ,;j ..ij" mil lli!'~." ~".,", ',,~ ' " ~*i, ~.\l-\' li#~ ~J.~:._~l ;i;'~ , ,1"" ,'~~H.-..!~:-Ji~;: ". "l,\\,/l'J:,,""'jl .". ~ "d ;'141"i1,."t'{''' \ jJ . >~/,.J~:\!'if, .: - ;{\:~~ :."A~a~ ""!'\I';";;$"I' , . ~" nl 1~\"". , 'e ~:-::. '; '-.'f:>,{:::7./!i{. ",' \ J "I""" ~JjJ.:.' .:': ".~.-~,.:':,~~f:f.~:~~ ~<).i ." y In:'li~'' :,'<: .',,^ _I" ,"<.:;;.:~';'~;.:~" .~. >'I,-l".-""\)(f:":st,:' /, .~' ~ 'I:~' ~~\:,~~~{;~?:E~;~ZiJ~~;J.; " '.,' 1)'_"""'\'ly,,,II~'t' , I'.., ;''.' .'.,,~.'T'r\)!;} t'r , : !J;'f",J.Oi/-T.~/t ',.'<1- ,~,. :. , ..q:}\':~~j~Ji)' ~' '.-, ,'., ,,/..t:t;:':V:ll~lt.- ""~ ':' .~.)\ ,~,,'}~1)';;-;:f., :1 " ,,' ~, t./"",...-kj- ~ "l~' " :~l "".~~';l ",:"""; t.o~ . , ' \" I.~ ltl.,,~,r -: ~lj;rj( l ,"~;:ld~t;~~~,W(;~6 ' '. ,\,\. ~:. ...,c;.;l?J{"':. :' " ,',' '~:''''~;'i'!r",~:~'L\ .' '~;~:::(.'I,~-,~,t:;';'4\";f . ':i"t"/1'~"j)~,p~~' .. ,,~;,;~:&j;:-~It i,i .' ;:-;:~..-l.,"'\ I ;J-.:' ,\""...~J\~;..i}~l': :l' , ", ,,;~41\~:~ ':..::~ \,-" ;, '.: C,'" " '., " . " . ,- " .'t . KEITH L. L1~I-IMAN and : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF TAMMY LElIMAN, tld/b/a : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, : CIVIL ACTION - LA W Plaintiffs v. KERRY R, HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants : NO. 98-1142 CIVIL TERM : JURY TRIAL DEMANDED ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this -----H.b- day of June, 1998, upon consideration ofthe within Motion, a Rulc is issued upon Plaintiffs to show causc why Defendants' Motion lor Continuance of Argument should not be granted. Rule ret~~able within ~ ~ -:f1r~ &'W-UJl \u-- J{/\v\/ko.a..Q. ~ ~~~ ~~ Carl C. Risch, Esquirc Martson, Deardorff, Williams & Otto Attorneys for Plaintiff.~ Wayne F. Shade, Esquirc Attorne~ for Defendants W ^ YNH F. SIl^IJH AlIomey II LAW '3 West Pomrrcl Slreet Carlislc,l'enns)'h"ania 170ll days of date of service hereof. ~"\ BY THE COURT:/ " / ~q / e,,-J>-~ (\'>",,,.f....{ (., / If 19 &'. .><S.l'? j ( J. i.. I" r~~t '\('I!t I.'., ( f.., ( [I':',' ~::j ":f.: \,i.... ~ '~ ~>" ~ (~ ;';"'; , . KElTII L. LEHMAN and : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF TAMMY LEHMAN, IId/b/a : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA K & R LElIMAN CONTRACTING, : CIVIL ACTION - LA W Plaintiffs v. : NO, 98-1142 CIVIL TERM KERRY R.I-IENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants : JURY TRIAL DEMANDED DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF ARGUMENT TO THE HONORABLE, THE JUDGES OF SAID COURT: The Motion of Defendants KERRY R. HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, by their attorney, Wayne F. Shade, Esquire, respectfully represents, as follows: I. On March 2, 1998, Plaintiffs filed their Complaint against Defendants herein. 2. This case involves routine contract claims arising from a transaction in which Plaintiffs constructed a residence for Defendants. 3. Defendants have filed Preliminary Objeetions to the Complaint including a demurrer. WAYNJOF.SIIAIlJO AllomcYIIII.Aw 53 W~I Pomfrel SIr~1 Clfli~lc.llcnnl)'I\'Inill 17013 I I I!, I'" WAYNE F. SIlADE Anomcy at law SJ West Pomfrcl Slrttt CarJislc.Pcnnsylnnio 17013 . . 4. Plaintiffs' total claims lor damages are less than $18,000 which reprcsent less than 10% ofthc initial contract price. 5. On May 26, 1998, Dcfendants rcceived service of a copy of Plaintiffs' Praecipe listing Defendants' Preliminary Objections for argument on June 24, 1998. 6. Defendants promptly requested a continuance to the next argument court because counsel for Defendants will be out of state on vacation on June 24, 1998. 7. Plaintiffs have refused to agree to the request for a continuance under these circumstances. 8. Defendants aver that they have significant defenses to the claims in this matter and that Plaintiffs will not be prejudiced by the requested continuance, particularly in a case of this limited magnitude. WHE~FORE, Defendants respectfully request that your Honorable Court issue a Rule upon Plaintiffs to show cause why the requested continuance should not be granted. ~~r~ Wayn F. Shade, EsquIre Attorney for Defendants , ') ,\ , I J I ( ') I I' } ii'" ~; ,~ \(.'" '(....' '.;' -, \ ~ , .. I. \ I. , to. -2- .. ~_. '..... Waync r, Shade, Esquire, statcs that hc is thc attorncy for thc party or partics tiling thc forcgoing documcnt; and that hc makcs this vcrification based upon facts which arc within his pcrsonal knowlcdgc, infornlation or bclicf and that any falsc statcmcnts hcrein arc madc subject to thc penaltics of 18 Pa. C.S. ~4904 rclating to unsworn falsification to authorities. Datc: Junc I, 1998 w~~a~ WAYNEF,SUADE Allomey al Law .53 Wesl Pomrrel Street Carlisle, Pennsyh.-ania 17013 r\ ". " , ~ c~ , , .. I ~". . , J\.._;..., ,.: ; . j ~ ,. ,- .., "" ., -'," ; i ',.' i j 1\ ~. 1'1.. ; ;: UT"!" 'J" . :.::; i r~, i;.._ .'-., " :". I ~ ..... i, : , L . . ., ;....'..';!,',; ~~lL':': t. ; L_! ~!::.:.c:...~i~~!=-_}A_.Jt~.__..__.____._ .._...._... V:'::" IJI0:! l F~l;.; E J.U:_I\ _~J~_::~_~,_________._~..__ ....:~~I.E~~ET_:~~~rlLIJl.!-_.~;~__~___________, ~':ll(;'l'.i l.l ')1 [i':,:'rU t.)' Sii.;:.\" ..1..1'1. U1 CUi'IlJEELtIN[\ C('unty, r''':;'LfJ:.;.;'.l\'.li'lld, ....ll;~1 L'~I..ilIU dull' ;.jHUI Ii '~"1\:':'~:':';C}.l.'-J.ln'.:1 '..: Cl 1 ~i j{, ~-; eJ, 'l:J, U "j ";.i. L h ~'l ~2J i-:J' L.DJJLL_____________ .... ,,:n;.;' :i .~, 1" '/ '," d upon HEinlE JC 1\:-; n df.:.'ir:'!ld-:lnt, :.J.l tht:. j ~::'1;':;:U0 HC..IUh:::, -;;(1 t.IIL' LUh ,jdY '-'.I.. U.:3rcJl --..-- 1 ')'30 at _;i :I!..::I\Rl~:;'-J:( h'AL--.. ~t\ ill~l SL~6 1701,';~___.~.._. ------.----- . CU1Wl::j,LAlID C':lun t;.:, r':'Ili}.;.;Y l.'.;~nid, by h.:1fJ'i.':"i"llt f.,.! Q.il)~ 1 ~j~.i-.i.:;_i:..Ll"j'I:IG, i\[IULT P!\UGHTER JlF CjL~FT, -------------..---- d t:.: 1,.;'2:" ane.! ,jtt.,}~t~.:.,d ;':'l_'~ji' vi t;I'_O ~.::...Ui,;j',L"lHI. l.j9'2lh..:.:-r \/ll!l nGTII~______._______ .' aod :.it Uv:; ;;;';d;'II..: ti:ll'~' 1J.I...:.t:ctl-rl,:1 Hi,;;';' ;,.j t tL'ol....":"lll !.u (Le' ClilIL.:'rl',:,s tlH.-:Jl'C'ol. SJ~0r'if!'~ C~3t_; [lU81:c tJ. n':,l .::: I:~ r v .::. ,:~j,-: l\f.f1.du'.'i t ~:';1I r..~.h;~ 2' 9 ;.:.:. 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I'L'''i18i'lvCl''~J, _ile, /)01[." dull ;""l'l" uGC,-,rJHi~; to l"w. SuY'::;. LliL' wll.liili GQIF~[LL.___.___._____._. """ "'''''';~'U BEHNE EEI\j\~~' E , d.:;,>f(lndan t, ci t --- u,., Up,~ln 1998 ':It :] l'iORFll SOli ;" t\ Y 11 :JIZI: \:';~') H(iUl~.f3, Gr. t.h/:o' .L'~_'.Jl.'J;jY '':'i,f j-:.:tLctL --.------.. CAR LIS L F;J.....J::.<L.J:-:91 J ---------- tl true ,:d,d .,U'<'.,I..c'd '_',c'I')' ClJ th,c' --,,';.'1'i['~!:.j;;L___ P!,')[:;HTER Of ['SFI-'---______...____ C,'unty. Fconnsj'l';,Jf>lCl, OJ' 1'''IWln,j '_'..' (';'llLi;;.U-i., i,cLLL;UG. /\(,UL,_.___ ._---~.---- ___, 0lill:.El~Ll~ijL' ._-~--'.'--~---'- I:.(..IG-~.t:ho:.'':'~ Itith IiOTI<:""i: dnLl dL U..c' ;;"'mL' '-lid': 'c!lr,e,C;,.lf'" !~'-cL d\,',..."C.l,.,', '_'..' """, (.'_""-el,'-:... 'ehb 'e'c'~. ---~-----_.~-_._-----~-_._-, , 'I ,j Shj~rl!I'~ Cu:~t~: [")v'~ 1:c.( in~:; ::: \..' 1 " ..... :i. :...~. \':;:' Ai! ilia '.'l t Surcftijri;,i':" -1. 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C) (";. of u II i " '" , .1 \i,. 0<; ~, 8i 'r...:):>. .,~ .. .. ,j~ ::l U ~ji~ ;:'_:~:t'\~t,("'~~J ': ;',",,;:~J,~'-"~f ,,},r~'i)'],~S \4'j.,: ,1 :f;::'f~G)~il' :".,r"r/,li ,," I;" ',g,~N~!~,:li~~~~\~1 !;,.....E,>.lJ:;;i.:rJ\' ",: '-,~'.~' q~,';::-lt:tI-:~~ :!;':,':i~:,J,Ji6~t~;t.~~ "I.,.,};;f?J'H'~~l.": .15;,::y(,}~~tlfri1~k~~' ',"',""'''''.'''\',::0,. 'f}" ,,_ .,::,,:;;,,: /?~~r?K~;~~:~':~; , ' "..,..,',' cOSt"~'!"~ .. ::' f" ::r';;:j1~ n-~:.~j:{~~>'l:~{\~~,\~; " "'!""J":'\"""I\";''"'\~''A'''H..:..,-,.. :; \' .. .'~ ,L- \;i,t~... ;,:.}~>. :,:: Vi~:' '~-'I.l;:;~\'- { ,.', .,',"'..,'..h.'{;'i.'.'." <.\',:"; ;\;;;~<:;):~~:.'.Wir1)~S -:~;',~~;' -'f :" '...:.;_/;,.f<....',),.:l.J~~~y.;,I,J~ , .,'.., , :(]?."W~riin!~~,~~ ,,> ..1'....c \; ._"'l'iJt"~;.~J&;.-,J.,,>;. ,'~'i~tr~ , > .~; ;f u ,...!I 1 '" ~ 5 ~ ~ I '... ,~ I '.',,- ,;..,...... ".:'/.rJ" .,_.' ",,; .:' 'J':'; . .:,' ~:' ','-' ".,..," ,-,.'-' ',. .. .. ;! ~.''; ~~ -. . -.' ... " ~ KEITH L. LEHMAN and : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF TAMMY LEHMAN, IId/b/a : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYL VANIA K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, : CIVIL ACTION _ LA W Plaintiffs i I \ v. KERRY R. HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants : NO. 98-1142 CIVIL TERM : JURY TRIAL DEMANDED '" DEFENDANTS' PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS , MOTION RAISING LACK OF JURISDICTION OVER THE SUBJECT MA ITER I. Plaintiffs aver that they are trading and doing business as K & R Lehman ,\ \ Contracting. 2. t , r I I', Plaintiffs do not aver that the fictitious name under which they are trading and doing business has been properly registered as such as required by law. WHEREFORE, Defendants request that Plaintiffs' Complaint be dismissed and that jUdgment be entered in favor of Defendants and against Plaintiffs. DEMURRER t.. 3. WAYNEF. SllADE A'IDmcylllAw work to be perfonned under the agreement resulted in extra costs. '3 Wcst Pomfrcl Sltecl Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 Plaintiffs have averred in Paragraph 5 of the Complaint that modifications to the WAYNE F. S"ADE Allomey AI Law 'J West Pomrrct Sired Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 4. The written agreement expressly requires execution of u change order fonn and payment prior to completion for any changes involving cost increases. 5, Plaintiffs fail to aver that Defendants cxeeuted any change order fonns prior to completion of any changes. 6. Plaintiffs fail to aver that Defendants were even notified orally of any cost increases during the course ofperfonnanee of the contract. WHEREFORE, Defendants request that Plaintiffs' Complaint be dismissed and that judgment be entered in favor of Defendants and against Plaintiffs. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING 7. Plaintiffs aver in Paragraph 5 of the Complaint that they are entitled to more than {, $14,000 in additional costs to Defendants without specifYing the modifications upon which that claim is based and the cost of each modification, 8. Plaintiffs aver in Paragraph 6 of the Complaint that modifications resulted in pennissible subtractions totaling $13,429 without specifying the modifications upon which those subtractions would be based and the cost of each modification. -2- WAYNE F. SHADE Anomcy al Law 53 West Pomfrel SU'ee1 Carlisle. Pennsylvania 17013 . . . . . WHEREFORE, Defendants rcqucst that PlaintilTs' bc rcquircd to plcad with sufficicnt spccificity to cnablc Dcfcndants to prcpure their defcnsc, Datc: March 30, 1998 a::~ ~~L Wayne . Shade, Esquirc Supreme Court No, 15712 53 West Pomfret Street Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 Telephone: 717-243-0220 i I , 1 ,I Attorney for Defendants \ i J \ ( .. -3- ,. : I l. , . WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request thut Defendants' preliminary objection raising lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter be overruled. m:MURRER 3. Admitted. 4. Denied. Paragraph 4 constitutes an improper attempt to characterize or paraphrase a provision of the contract which is a writing and speaks for itself, and is denied for that reason. 5. Admitted in part, denied in part. While it is admitted that Plaintiffs have not averred that Defendants executed any change order forl1t~ prior to completion of any changes, this allegation i~ denied to the extent that it implies that Defendants did not have any knowledge of, or did not ugree to, all modifications. 6. Admitted in part, denied in part. While it is admitted that Plaintiffs have not averred that Defendants were orally notified of changes, this allegation is denied to the extent that it implies that Defendants did not have any knowledge of, or did not agree to, all modificutions. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request that Defendants' demurrer be overruled. MOTION FOR MORE SPECIFIC PLEADING 7. Admitted in part, denied in part. While it is admitted that Plaintiffs have not specified the modifications, this allegation is denied to the extent that it implies that Defendants did not have any knowledge of, or did not agree to, all modifications. 8. Admitted in part, denied in part. While it i~ admitted that Plaintiffs have not specified the modifications, this allegation is denied to the extent that it implies that Defendants did not have any knowledge of, or did not agree to, all modifications. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request that Defendants' motion for more specific pleading be overruled. 2 .... NEW MA'I"I'ER By way of further response, Plaintiffs aver the following new matter: lJ. Plaintiffs hereby incorporate by referencc the responses contained in paragraphs I through H as if fully set forth. 10. The Agreement between the parties is specifically between Keith L. Lehman and Defendants. II. Plaintiffs are not required to allege that "K & R Lehman Contracting" is a registered fictitious name in order for this Court to have subject matter jurisdiction over this action. 12. Defendants knew at aJl times, both before and after cxecution of the Agreement, that thcy were dealing with Keith and Tammy Lehman, and, therefore, the purpose of fictitious name registration has been fulfilled. 13. Plaintiffs werc not required to file a fictitious name registration with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because the presence of "Lehman" and "Keith L. Lehman" in the Agreement clearly identifies the Plaintiffs. 14. Regardless of any alleged obligation to register a fictitious name with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Agreement between the parties is valid and enforceable under Pennsylvania law. 15. In order to cure any alleged defect, Plaintiffs have filed a fictitious namc application with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 16. Defendants' preliminary objection raising lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter constitutes dilatory conduct for which Plaintiffs are entitled to attorneys' fees and costs pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. *2503(7). 17. Defendants had knowledge of and agreed to all modifications, both additions and subtractions, under thc Agreement. I R. Any requirements under the Agreement regarding change order forl1t~ and prior payment for modifications were mutually waived by the parties by virtue of Defendants' knowledge 3 :t: h.. of and lIgreement to all modifications under the Agreement and by virtue of Plaintiffs' agreernent to complete these modifications without prior payment. IlJ. Plaintiffs are not rcquiredto 1I11cge that change order form~ were completed in order to state a claim upon which relief can be granted for breach of the Agreelnenl. 20. Plail1liff.~ are not required to allege that change order forl1t~ were completed in order to state a claim upon which relief can be granted for unjust enrichment. 21. There are genuine i~sues of material fact in dispute and Defendants are not entitled to judgment as a matter of law. 22. Defendants' demurrer constitutes dilatory conduct for which Plaintiffs are entitled to attorneys' fees and costs pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. * 2503(7). MARTS ON, DEARDORFF, WILLIAMS & 0110 By ~cO: _0_ Ivo . Otto, Ill, Esquire PA Attorney I.D. No. 27763 Carl C. Risch, Esquire PA Attorney I.D. No. 75901 Ten East High Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-3341 Attol'lleY.I'for Plailltiffs Dute: April 20, 1998 4 KEITH L. LEI-/MAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, t/d/b/ll K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, Plaintiffs IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS or CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA No. lJH.1142 Civil Term v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants Jury Trial Demanded VERIFICATION I, Keith Lehman, certify that the facts alleged in the foregoing are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. information, and belief. This statement is made subject to the penalties of 18 Pu.C.S. !l4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. Date: April 20, 1998 '~ ~~ ,. Keith Le n I , 5 ..\ \;.... . " KEITH L. LEHMAN and : IN TIlE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF TAMMY LEHMAN, tldlb/a : CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, : CIVIL ACTION - LAW Plainli ITs v. : NO. 98-1142 CIVIL TERM KERRY R. HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants : JURY TRIAL DEMANDED DEFENDANTS' REPLY TO NEW MA TIER TO PLAINTIFFS' ANSWER TO DEFENDANTS' PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS AND NOW, come Defendants KERRY R. HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, by and through their attorney, Wayne F. Shade, Esquire, and reply to the New Matter to PlaintilTs' Answer to Defendants' Preliminary Objections, as follows: 9. The avennents' of Paragraph 9 being at issue, no response is required. 10. The avennents of Paragraph 10 are denied. On the contrary, PlaintilTs have averred in Paragraph 3 ofthe Complaint that both Plaintiff3 were parties to the agreement among the parties in this case. II. The avennents' of Paragraph II being at issue, no response is required. WAYNEF.SllADE Attorney at Law 53 West Pomrret Street Carlisle, PCMSylvania 17013 f \ ' ( I ~" i \,' i \ "' 12. Thc uvcnncnts of Purugruph 12 urc inconsistcnt with thc uvcnnents of Purugruph \0 in thut Puragruph 12 uvcrs thut Dcfcndunts werc dculing with both PluintilTs whcrcus thc uvcnncnts of Purugraph 10 stutc that thc Dcfendunts wcre deuling only with PluintilT Kcith L. Lehman. This confinns thc necd for registration of the fictitious namc in this case, In the absence ofregistrution ofthc fictitious name as rcquircd by law, Dcfendants have no idea as to the identity ofR Lchman. 13. The avennents of Paragraph 13 are denied. On thc contrary, Defendants' reply to Paragraph 12 above is incorporated herein by refcrence as though fully set forth. 14. The avcnnents' of Paragraph 14, being conclusions oflaw, no response is rcquired. IS. The avennents of Paragraph IS arc dcnied. On the contrary, Defcndants aver that only PlaintilTKeith L. Lehman has registered the fictitious name ofK & R Lehman and that Plaintiff Tammy Lehman docs not appear to be registercd as an owner of the business which is operating under the rcgistcred fictitious namc. -2- , , " 22, Thc uvcnncnts ofPllrugruph 22 IIrc dcnicd, On thc contrury, Delcndunts uver thut PluintilTs persist in refusing to pleud their speeiul dumages us required by the Rules of Civil Procedure. tU~~ Wayne ,Shade, Esquire Supreme Court No. 15712 53 West Pomfret Street Carlisle, Pennsylvaniu 17013 Telephone: 717-243-0220 Attorney for Defendants WAYNE F. SIIADE Anomcy II Law 53 West Pomfrcl Street Carlille, PCMS)lvanil 17013 -4- ... PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR ARGUMENT (Iblt be t:ypewxltten and subnitted in 11111'1 ~,....te) TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Please list the within IlllItter far the next Ar!Pnent COUrt. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAPTION OF CASE (entire ~ticn IlIIBt be stated in full) Keith L.Lehman and Tanvny Lehman, t/d/b/a K & R Lehman Cont~acting (Plaintiff) , VB. Ke~~y R. Henne and Joan M. Henne (Defendant) No. 98-1142 Civil' Te~m 19 98 1. state IlllItter to be argued (i.e.. plaintiff's llDticn far new trial. defendant's dI!IIurrer to a:qUaint. etc.): Defendants' P~elimina~y Objections ,\ , 1 i 2. Identify ccunsello'tlo will aJ:'f#J8 case: 1 II \' ~ ,-:I , J! 1.( . " ii ,\1 , " ; ,; ~ ,'f:-, 1',1 I, ,11 j) 1. I; 1 1\ \, 1', ... " I i 1 : ~ , ;.~-.' ! . ", II' b'" h' :'.::~~;i~ (a) far plaintiff: Ca~l c. Risch, Esqui~e AddL....s: MDW&O 10 East High St~eet Ca~lisle, PA 17013 (b) far defendant: Wayne F. Shade, Esqui~e AddL: 53 West Pomf~et St~eet Ca~lisle, PA 17013 3. I will notify all plIrt:ies in writing within bIo days that this C2S8 bas been listed far argunent. 4. Argument Court Date: June 24/ 1998 Dated: May 22, 1998 " '~ ~w&~~ .\I'rnrn.." frrr Plaintiffs . . , , KElTl-I L. LElIMAN and : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF TAMMY LmIMAN, Vd/b/a : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYL VANIA K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, : CIVIL ACTION _ LA W Plaintifr.~ Y. : NO. 98-1142 CIVIL TERM KERRY R.HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants : JURY TRIAL DEMANDED DEFENDANTS' REPLY TO NEW MATTER TO PLAINTIFFS' ANSWER TO DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF ARGUMENT AND NOW, come Defendants KERRY R. HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, by and through their attorney, Wayne F. Shade, Esquire, and reply to the New Matter to Plaintiffs' Answer to Defendants' Motion for Continuance of Argument, as follows: 9. The averments' of Paragraph 9, being at issue, no response is required. 10. Admitted. II. The ayerments of Paragraph II arc denied. On the contrary, Defendants aver that Plaintiffs confuse inadmissible negotiations with admissions. 12. WAYNIOF.SIIADIO Allomey Illl...aw '3 West IJomfn:1 Street Carlisle,IJenns)h'anill 17013 Admitted. . . posture. By way of further reply, De/endants aver that they should not be required to engage alternative counsel on relatively short notice where Plaintiffs refuse 10 cure their pleadings which arc so materially defective that the requirement of an amended Complaint is readily apparent. WHEREFORE, Defendants respectfully request that Plaintiffs' Answer and Ncw Matter to Defendants' Motion for Continuance of Argument be dismissed and that Defendants' Rule to Show Cause why a continuance should not be granted be made absolute. Respectfully submitted, W~~a~~ Attorney for Defendants WAYNE F. SllAIl!; Allomey 811.aw 53 West I'omfrcl Slreel Carlislc,IJcnns)'I\'ania 17Ul3 .5- "I- " " Ir '/ 'I , I: i.i , ", ' . ' Wuync F. Shudc, Esquirc, slutcs thut hc is thc uttorncy lor Ihc purty or purtics liIing thc foregoing document; und that he mukcs this verilicution bused upon lac Is which urc within his pcrsonul knowledgc, inlonnution or belicl' und that any falsc statcmcnts hcrcin urc madc subjcCI to thc penaltics 01' III Pu. C.S. ~4904 rcfuting to unsworn lalsi lication to authoritics. Datc: June 10, 1998 &~u E~ Waync F. hadc I .I , ii WAYNE F. SIlADE Attorney Ill.aw "3 West Pomrrcl Slrect Carlislc,PennsylvlUlia 17013 " I, '.; KEITH L. LEHMAN and TAMMY LEHMAN t/d/b/a K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING : Plaintiffs IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA .(i , \ I ~\ 1 \ :' I ~ J!t .ff 98-1142 CIVIL vs. KERRY R. HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants JURY TRIAL DEMANDED IN RE: DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF ARGUMENT BY THE COURT, -l/" -'" VIf~ Edgar B. Bayley; J. / 1.... I,' . I: I ). I~ \i ') ,\ < ! ORDER AND NOW, this to day of June, 1998, it is ordered that counsel for both parties shall eomply with the briefing sehedule fer the argument court listing of June 24, 1998. The briefs shall be forwarded by the Court Administrator to this judge and defendants' preliminary objeetions will be decided without argument. Ivo V. Otto, III, Esquire For the Plaintiffs (!A-F rn"'~'-<L Icl/llq'l. ,j" "fl, . , I ) I Wayne F. Shade, Esquire For the Defendants Court Administrator ./i"",1 d"I",.,',(,{ /'1,,1'1Y" ,'IL", :rlm :j , l \"~ ,." ,~. , ;;;- r (:; " '-(i J; Ii " " '. '-'r., ,,~t1~m\~\i~r';'J}i:i;:\ , , " ,fiJ..I',~",.""...", ~~:~~~t~frJ":",~.~, ., ,. ' "'s'g.",.""."." ,. ; tj,i~lr$fi!!\i r IgI~fiJ;)<f : l!';j'\iB~"~H;; '~I' , \.1"8>' '..~,.:.,. "~ .' ~i~" ~,',:;' /~,: ~,:- : ~~!~~,~'>: " f'" "~ 1 ~l~}\,~~~,: /,~/.' , . IS (-0' IX "" f~ ",B a=a "-0 ~~ '~~ ~f ~ r of :t;.' ' 11 , ,,M, \~,,~ " ~" ,~: i~ '. , .' " .; .' . . , " "s,""l"" ',',', ' : .'~ ...', i:'i{~!C ,. !l~~':;t\: .' ~<fMi<~. "','.'1;1\3"',\,,' ",-:';, ,..,;-", ..;"',.". . , " , , , .. KE),fI-I L. LEHMAN and : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF TAMMY LEI-WAN. tld/b/a : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, : CIVIL ACTION - LA W Plaintiffs v. : NO. 98-1142 CIVIL TERM KERRY R.HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants : JURY TRIAL DEMANDED DEFENDANTS' BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS HISTORY OF THE CASE On March 2, 1998, Plaintiffs Keith L. Lehman & Tammy Lchman filcd a Complaint against Dcfcndants. Plaintiffs allcgcd in ~Ithat they wcrc husband and wifc and were trading and doing business as K & R Lehman Contracting. Thcrc was no avcrment that K & R Lchman Contracting was a registcrcd fictitious namc. and thcrc was no indication as to how the leUcrs "K & R" could rcfcr to a person by the name of Tammy Lehman or as to who thc "R" would have been in K & R Lchman Contracting. The Complaint furthcr alleged that Dcfendants cntered into a wriUen agreement with Plaintiffs for thc construction of a house. A copy of the wriUen agrecment was aUachcd 10 the Complaint. Plaintiffs avcrred in "5 of the Complaint that modifications to thc work to bc performed under the agrccmcnt rcsultcd in cxtra costs. WAYNE F. SIIAIlE Allomcy all.aw SJ Wcsll'umrrcl Sln:c:1 Carlisle. I'cnnsyl\"anill 17013 I: -, I..: '1" L 1\' , I .' , I , ~ I )J :\:i i j I . ) ( II ~ ,"( { , 'I .'/ . " :1 H . ..' 1\ is obvious frol11 u rcvicw of thc wrillcnugrcclllcnlthllt it wus not prcpured by Defcndunts. 1\ wus prcpured uponu prcprinted proposlll un bchulfofthc buildcr. Onthc very lirst pugc of the prcprinted proposul. it wus indicuted thutuny ultcrution or deviution from thc spccilicutions involvil/g extra costs will bc executed only upon wrillcn ordcrs. und will become un cxtrn churgc ovcr und ubovc thc estimatc. I'uge 3 of'thc prcprintcd document further specilically provided thut any changcs mudc to thc blueprint that will increase the price over what is allowed will be an additional cost to the customcr, that a change ordcr form would be completcd and signed by the customcr and any cost incrcase would be paid by the customcr bcforc work was complcted. Therc is no avcrment in thc Complaint that any written ehange ordcrs werc ever exccuted or that Defcndants were even infonned orally that any changes involved extra costs. PlaintilTs further averred generally that they arc entitlcd to morc than $14,000 in additional costs without specifying, in thcir plcuding, the modilications upon which that claim is based imd thc cost of cach modilication. As a rcsult ofthc obvious dcliciencics in thc Complaint, Dcfcndants filcd " Preliminary Objcetions. They challcnged the tiling of the Complaint against thcm wherc there was no avcrment that thc lictitious namc undcr whieh Plaintiffs wcre allcged to be trading and doing busincss had been properly registercd as rcquircd by law. Plaintiffs also interposcd a demurrer on thc claim for compensation for changes where there were WAYNE F. SIlAllH Attorney Ill.aw S3 W~1 Pomfn:1 SIred Carlisle. Pcnnsyl\'anill. 17013 -2- ~ . ,: no uvcnnents tllIIt Dclcndunts wcrc propcrly inlilnlled ofuny cxtl'll cxpcnse involving uny chungcs prior to cOll1plction of the chnngcs. Finlllly. Defcndllnts o~icclcd to thc fiJilurc 10 plcud spcciul dUll1ugcs spccilicully. ( Ruther tllUn tiling unull1cnded COll1pluint, Pluintiffs liIed un Answcr with New Mutter to Dcfcndants' Prcliminury Objcctions. ) Contrllry to thc uvcnncnts in the very Iirst pUrllgraph of the Compluint thut both individuul Plaintiffs had contractcd with Delcndunts, Pluintiffs uvcrrcd in ~I 0 ofthcir Ncw Mallcr that Dcfendunts cntercd into the agrcement only with Plaintiff Kcith L. Lehman. To further confound thcir avermcnts, Plaintiffs averrcd in ~12 ofthcir New Mallcr that Dcfcndants knew at all times that Ihcy wcrc dcaling with both Plaintiffs Keith L. Lehman and Tammy Lehman. Plaintiffs allegcd in ~15 ofthcir New Mallcr that, although a fictitious namc ') \ , , registration was unnecessary, thcy did file a fictitious nume registration in an allcmptto j , cure the objcction raised by Defcndants in that respect. In ~15 of our Reply to PlaintiffS' New Maller, wc allcgcd that only PlaintiffKcith ~ 1 \ ,~ h I L. Lehman has been registered as a principal ofK & R Lehmanund thut Plaintiff Tammy Lehman was not registcred as an owncr of the busincss which is opcrating undcr the now registcred Iictitious namc. Dcfcndants' Preliminary Objections are now beforc your Honorable Court for 'li, 'I' " ' " ;.1 :1 , .. I ~ disposition. WAYNE F. SIlAIlE Attorneyall.aw .53 WU1I'omrrel Slm:l Carlisle. Pcnnsyl\'ani. 17013 -: -3- STATEMENT OF QUESTIONS INVOLVED l. IS AN ENTITY PROI'ERL Y BEFORE TIlE COURT WHERE IT IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH TIlE FICTITIOUS NAME REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS? II. WHERE A WRI'ITEN AGREEMENT PREPARED OY A BUILDER . REQUIRES ALL CHANGES INVOLVING EXTRA CHARGES TO BE DOCUMENTED PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF THE WORK, MAY Tl-IB BUILDER IMPOSE ADDITIONAL CHARGES AGAINST THE OWNER WIIERE THE OWNER WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT REQUESTED CHANGES WOULD INVOLVE ADDITIONAL CHARGES? III. MAYA PARTY BE PERMI'ITED TO PROCEED WITH CLAIMS FOR SPECIAL DAMAGES WITHOUT PLEADING THEM SPECIFICALLY? ARGUMENT I. AN 'ENTITY IS NOT PROPERLY BEFORE THE COURT WHERE IT IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FICTITIOUS NAME REGISTRA nON REQUIREMENTS. The Complaint purports to identify thc partics as Keith L. Lchman & Tammy Lchman, tldlbla K & R Lchman Contracting. It is undisputed that at thc time that the Complaint was filcd, thcrc was no Iictitious namc rcgistration for "K & R Lehman Contracting". -4- Pluintiffs hllvc lIvcrred in 'i'III-13 ofthcir Ncw Mullcr to our Prcliminllry Objcctions tllllt thc numc "K & R Lchmun Conlructing" did not requirc rcgistrutionlls u fictitious nlllllC becausc it was sufficiently clellr that it rcferrcd to Plaintiffs. Even if we accept that K Lchman is Kcith Lchman. thcre is nothing in "K & R Lehman Contraeting" that would indicatc thc involvement ofa pcrson by thc namc of Tammy Lchman. Morcover, Lehman is a vcry common namc in this area, and therc is no indieation from thc fictitious name itsclfas to thc identity ofR Lehman. Thcrefore. thc name is clearly fictitious. In spite .oftheir contentions that it was not necessary to registcr "K & R Lehman Contracting"as a fictitious name, Plaintiffs alleged in ~15 of their Ncw Matter that they did file a fictitious name rcgistration in an attempt to cure the objection raised by Defendants in that rcspect. The provisions 01'54 Pa.C.S. *331 explicitly set forth, as follows: ~311 Contracts entered into by entity using unregistered fictitious name (A) GENERAL RULE.-- No entity which has failed to register a lietitious name as required by this chapter shall bc pennitted to maintain any action in any tribunal of this Commonwealth until such entity shall have complied with thc provisions of this chapter. .... W ^ YNH F. SIlADB Attorneyall.aw 5JWcstlJomfrC:ISlrect Carlisle. Pennsylvania 170\3 (B) CIVIL PENAL TY.-- Before any cntity may institute any action in any tribunal of this Commonwealth on any cause of action arising out of any transaction in rcspect to which such cntity used a fictitious name prior to the datc ofthc registration of such fictitious nume, or aner thc date its rcgistration under this chapter was cancelcd or otherwise terminated as to such entity, the entity shall -5. 1 , i ( .""- t ,I, , \ 'I Lehman Contracting. We I'urthcr averrcd thut PluintilTTummy I.chmlln wus not lictitious namc. . t \ , ) I: J registercd as an owncr ofthc busincss which is opcrating undcr thc now registcrcd The requirements ol'thc Iictitious name luw urc clear. Il'partics wish to use thc court system ol'the Commonwcalth, they must comply with those rcquirements. Wc contend that Plaintiffs cannot bc hcld to havc met even the standard ol'substuntial prior to secking to cmploy thc court system against Defendants. Wc I'urthcr contcnd that compliancc with thc lictitious name rcquiremcnts where they had not registcrcd anything thcy are clearly not cven now in substantial compliance where it is undcniablc that thcy havc not paid the applicable civil penalty and have not listcd Tammy Lehman as an individual who is interested in the business. ') \ , 1 We submit that, rathcr than curing their fatally defective plcadings by tiling the f , subsequent fictitious name registration, Plaintifls havc compoundcd the confusion in this case rather than clarifying the situation by registering the lictitious name only to Plaintiff Keith L. Lehman wherc the caption and '1~1 and 3 ofthc Complaint specifically indicate that both individual Plaintifls wcrc trading and doing business under the unregistercd lictitious name; Thc utter confusion stcmming I'rom the inconsistencics in PlaintiffS' ,~ . Ii I own plcadings i1lustratcs the nccd for a propcrly rcgistcrcd fictitious namc as a loundation for thc commencement ofa civil aclion. To pennit PlaintiffS to cngage the court system against Dcfendants in thc prcscnt posture of this casc would bc to ignorc thc simplc and WAYNE F. SIlAIlE Allorncy DI '.a. obvious rcquircmcnts ol'thc rcgistration of fictitious namcs. Wc I'urthcr submit that this '3WC!II'umrrcISlrccl Carlislc:,I'cnn!)hanill ~ 17013 -7- '". issue is not academic and that, where the averments of the Compluint are inconsistent with the subsequently registered fictitious name, Plaintifl); ure not properly befbre the Court; and their Complaint must be dismissed. . II. WHERE A WRITTEN AGREEMENT PREPARED BY A BUILDER REQUIRES ALL CHANGES IN VOL VING EXTRA CHARGES TO BE DOCUMENTED PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF THE WORK, THE BUILDER MAY NOT IMPOSE ADDITIONAL CHARGES AGAINST THE OWNER WHERE THE OWNER WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT REQUESTED CHANGES WOULD INVOL VE ADDITIONAL CHARGES. Plaintiffs are in the business of constructing homcs. Thcy drafled the agreemcnt which required written change ordcrs prior to the completion of any work lor which thcrc was to be an extra chargc. That rcquiremcnt appears not oncc but twice in the contract. It appears in thc preprinted first page and in Plaintiffs' spccilically drancd third pagc. Our law' generally upholds the validity and sanctity of no-oral modification clauscs. Thcre are only Iimitcd circumstances whcre a valid oralmodilication of a contract may be found dcspite thc cxistcnce ofa no-oral modification clause. In order to avoid thc binding effcct of a no-oralmodilication clause, it must bc allegcd that a party waived the rcquircment that modifications be in writing to be eflcctive. Lea.l'ing Service Corp. v. Ben.l'on, 317 Pa. Super. 439, 449-450, 464 A2d 402, 407 (1983). It must also bc alleged that the party claiming waivcr was mislcd and prc.;judiced by statcments or cvents subsequcnt to the cntry into thc agreement with thc no-oralmodifieation clausc. Berwick WAYNE F. S"AIlE v. Daniel W. Kelder Real/OJ's, 407 Pa. Super. 528, 532, 595 A2d 1272, 1274 (1991). Anomey 1111./1"' $JWc:sll'omrrcISltc:cl Cllllislc,IJcnnSY)Yllnia 17013 -8- We cuntcnd that thcrc is nothing in the allcgations ofthc Complaint in this casc which would support the rcquircd waivcr oflhe no-orulmodilication e1ausc. Evcn iflhere wcrc sueh allegations, wc contcnd that the issuc is not wbelher or not Delendants requestcd changes to the agreement. The issue is whethcr any requested changes involved cxtra costs. The agreement draned by Plaintiffs does not say that all changes had to be in wriling, but only those whieh would involve extra eosts. Wc submitthatPlaintills may not be permilled to claim thousands of do liars of extra charges ancr th~ fact where there is no avcrmcnt that Plaintills even made the minimal ellort to inform Defendants orally, before the work was pcrformcd, that extra payment would be cxpeetcd, not to mention whcre there is no avennent that the changes were reduced to writing as expressly required in the written agreement. From the tenns ofthe contract which was drafted by Plaintiffs, we contend that Defendants had a right to assume that the requested changes would not involve extra expense where Plaintiffs did not specify that requested changes would involve extra costs and the amount of those cxtra costs. There is no allegation that Defendants stood by and watched changes being made with knowledge that there would be extra expense. If the owners had known that they would be sued for thousands of dollars for various changes, they may very well have elected not to have proceeded with the changes. Plaintiffs allege in thc Second Count of their Complaint that Defendants would be somehow unjustly enriched if your Honorable Court would not require Defendants to give Plaintiffs more than $18,000. We contend that there is nothing in law or equity that WAYNI; F. SHAIll; Allomc)' al Law S3Wesl/'omrr<IS'r<" would cntitle Plaintiffs to the aid orthis Court to rcwrite the contract which thcy drafted Carlislc,l)cnns)'I\'ania 17013 -9- and which prcc/udcs thcm fhllll imposing IIdditionul churgcs uncr thc fhcl whcrc Defendants Wcrc nOlnolificd ofuny addilional chargcs prior tOlhc pcrformancc ol'lhc work. 'fanYlhlng, wc conlcnd lhalthc cquitics would prce/udc imposilion ofcxlra charges agllinst Dcfendants whcrc thcrc are no aIlegations thatthcy Wcrc informcd thaI thc changes thatlhcy requestcd involved CXlra charges. 'fanyonc would bc prejudiced by thc invalidation ofthc repcated no-oral modification clauses inthc agrcemcnt in this casc, it would clearly be Defendants. For IIII of the forcgoing reasons, we respcctfuIly submit that Plaintiffs hllvc fhi/ed to stllte II cause of action IIgainst Defendllnts IInd thllt the Complaint must be dismissed. III, A PARTY MA Y NOT BE PERMITTED TO PROCEED WITH CLAIMS FOR SPECIAL DAMAGES WITHOUT PLEADING THEM SPECIFICA.LL Y. There werc twenty-two distinct categories of specificalions to which specific costs were assigned in the agreement whieh is attached to the Complaint in this case. Without making any altemptto specifY each aIlcgcd change and the additional charges for each aIleged changc, Plaintiffs simply claim $14,690.78 from Defendants in 'liS of the Complaint. We submit that the Complaint is so obviously in violation of the requiremcnts of Pa.R.Civ.p. '019(1) that no further authority is rcquired to sustain our Preliminary Objection in thc nature ofa Motion for more Spccific Complaint. W ^ YNE F. S"^lJE AltomeYlI.ll..aw .53 WC:SI romrrel Street CDrlislC:.I'ennsyh'lI.nill 17013 -10. \ I i I i !~ , " t if :1:' \' { i i , ~~ ~>= ...CIl~ ~ffi:5 ::1:"', ::1: 'z ~16 OuO": I-< -l ~!~ . . o u u '~~ ' g; ~ ' r~:'" {t',. ' ~;..,,: . t.,~ . 1:'''' , 'i"':;,~ ~,\-'," . ~~j;, ~ . . :;I~,~f' 'J~,{:, " :tt;,',, <4r ~ t,~;; , ,J" ,'" "7;,' %~.~:~ ~:~j,. :If" '~r, ;. It. ' ~,i . t,\'," C" ~I~ ~~6 ii~ -l~o ....J 'u E~ !;I~ -l ~ :I: :i ~ .... ~ ~ ~ :I: '0: ~ !;I .;; gO i~~ 8- f~~ ~ ~~~ ~ · !i~~M ~ " 8 Vl" t:: <:ir"\j ~~!8 ~~. E:Co.. ~ ~~i 12~~'~ < 2 ~ 1.\,~ a ::;: .ll <..u.. :> ~> ~~ lZg; ~;;gCll CIl-lZ tt~o ~~6 :5~~ ...":0 ~Q oz ~lf ~~ ;!Q III ,', , > , J .': ! t.... . . ... .... \ ',;;;.' 1';"HU~''lJIA rAH1.lNWNIM M WolU~~ '.UN.I I 'rul,,!; u.!I1V'" 11;~lM I'M Ilr\l...,I,U'r'I"t"",m:2.I:!,f,AM KEITH L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, t/d/b/a K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, Plaintiffs IN THE COURT or COMMON PLEAS or CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA No. lJH-1142 Civil Term v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Jury Trial Demanded Defendants BRmF 01<' PLAINTWFS OPPOSINf: nEFENnANTS' PREUMINARY OB.JECTIONS I, STATEMENT (W FACTS ANn PROCEnURAL HISTORY On March 2, 19lJH, Keith und Tammy Lehman filed a complaint against Kerry and Joan Henne in an effort to collect $17,261.7H owed to them under a construction contract, plus consequential damages related to their breach. (Complaint at ~~ I, 10, and 17). In the Complaint, Plaintiffs allege, inter alia, the following: Plaintiffs are trading and doing business us K & R Lehman Contracting (Complaint ~ I); the parties entered into a written agreement for the construction of a two-story, two car garage house, with agreement uttached, in exchange for $1 HO,OOO.OO (Complaint ~~ 3, 4); pennissible additions and subtractions to the ugreement resulted in a total amount due of $IH 1,261.7H (Complaint ~~ 5-7); Plaintiffs completed performance under the agreement (Complaint ~ lJ); Defendants have paid all amounts due under the contract, taking into account the permissible additions and subtractions, except $17,261.7H (Complaint ~ 10); Defendants' refusal to pay all amounts due have caused Plaintiffs to lose business opportunities and suffer additional damages (Complaint ~ 12). Based on these allegations, Plaintiffs ask for relief under the theories of contract and unjust enrichment. On March 30, IlJ9H, Defendants filed preliminary objections to Plaintiffs' complaint. Defendants claimed in these preliminary objections that: (I) this Court lack jurisdiction over the subject matter of Ihe complaint because Plaintift:~ did not aver thaI K & R Lehmun Conlracting wus a properly registered fictitious namc; (2) Plailllift:~ fuiled to statc a claim upon which relief can be granted because Plaintiffs did not uver that Defendants executed any change order fonm prior to completion of any changes under the agreement; and (3) Plaintiffs should be ordered to plead with specificity the additions und subtractions alleged in the paragraphs 5 and 6 of the complaint. See Defendants' Preliminary Objections, Defendants did not allege that, even though K & R Lehman Contracting was not a registered fictitious name, they did not know they were dealing with Keith L. Lehman, Plaintiff herein. On or about April 6, IlJlJH, counsel for Plaintiffs, Carl C. Risch, contacted counsel for Defendants, Wayne Shade, regarding the preliminary objections. Affidavit of Curl C. Risch ~ 2 (attached as "Exhibit A"). In that telephone conversation, Mr. Risch specifically asked Mr. Shade if he wished Plaintiffs to amend their complaint and itemize each and every addition and substraction under the agreement making these allegations a matter ofrecord. Affidavit of Curl C. Risch ~ 3. Mr. Shade specifically instructed Mr. Risch not to amend the complaint with such facts but, rather, to write Mr. Shade a letter itemizing the additions and subtractions so he could discuss them with the Defendants. Affidavit of Carl C. Risch ~ 4. Mr. Risch complied with this request by writing a detuiled letter to Mr. Shade, dated April 15, IlJ9H, specifically itemizing these additions and subtractions. Affidavit of Carl C. Risch ~ 5 (a copy of the letter is attached as "Exhibit B"). Even though counsel for the Defendants was provided with the requested letter in lieu of an amended complaint, Defendants have refused to withdraw their preliminary objections based on specificity. On April 20, IlJlJH, Plaintiffs unswered Defendants' preliminury objections with new matter. In this answer, Plaintiffs alleged, illter alia, that a fictitious name application had been filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State curing any defect. Answer ~ 15. On May 11, 19lJ8, Defendants answered Pluintiff.~' new matter. On May 22, IlJlJH, Plaintiffs listed this matter for urgument. Byan Order dated June 10, IlJ9H, thL~ Court canceled oral urgument of this matter and directed the purties to submit briefs. 2 II, QUESTIONS PRESENTED ;\: I' t. 1\, I ' 1,-. II, I } ( I'~ I I I" I I i , ! i I ! } I~ .J ') I , 1 A. Are Plaintiff.~ properly before this Court where "K & R Lehman Cnlltl'llcling" was not registered as a fictitious nall~ at the tin~ this aClion was comlllCnced hut where Keith L. Lehman, a named Plaintiff, is expressly a party 10 the contract and where the fictitious name was subsequently rcgislered with the DepartlllCllt of Slate'l B. Have Plaintiff.~ failed to state a claim upon which relief ClIlI be gl'llllted in cnntract and unjust enrichment where PlaintilTs have alleged Ihat Dctelldauls permitted all additions and subtractions under the constructioll agreelllCnl bUI did lint specifically allege that change order forms had been compleled'l C. Does Plaintiffs' complaint inapproprialely lack SIIl:c1ticity in violation of Pa.R.C.P. 10 19(f)'I III. ARGUMENT A, Plaintiffs are properly before this Cuurt beclIuse they lire In cllmpliance III' substantial compliance with the Fletitlllus NlIllles Act, 54 1'1I.C.S. !i!i301.332. Defendants have preliminarily objected to I'laintift:~' complaint on grounds that K & R Lehman Contracting, a name used from time to time by I'laintilI~, was not a duly registered fictitious name under the Fictitious Names Act, 54 Pa.C.S. !i!i 301-332. Even though K & R Lehman Contracting was not a duly registered fictitious name as of the date this action was commenced, P1aintiff.~ are nevertheless properly before this Court for two reasons: (I) Because Keith L. Lehman, Plaintiff herein, is a named party to this uction and appeurs as a named party to the agrecment us attached to the complaint, regi~tration of K & R Lehm:m Contructing was nOlllecessary for purposes of this action, and (2) Because Plaintiffs duly registered K & R Lehman Contructing as alictitious name under the Act, any defects were cured and the PllIinliffs are in suhstantial compliance with thc Fictitious Names Act, 54 Pa.C.S. !i331 (c). \ ! , ' \ ~ ' I I 1 ~~.; Ii " I, , " " 'I , ' :I . \ , ( \'-' " , I. Because Keith L. Lehman is both a party to the agreement between the parties and a party to this action, the registration of K & R Lehman Contracting as a fictitious name was unnecessary to support this action, Under the Fictitious Names Act, a party entering into u contract using a fictitious name cannot maintain an action under thL~ contract until he has complied with the registration requirements of the Fictitious Names Act. 54 Pa.C.S. !l 331 (a). The purpose of this registration procedure is to protect those who deal with persons carrying on a business under an assumed name, and to enable them to know with whom they are doing business. See U.S. v. American Standard Remodeling Co., 252 F.Supp. 690 (W.D.Pu. 1966). Keith L. Lehman, however, has not violated the Fictitious Names Act because he has not transucted business under an assumed name without expressly and unequivocally di~losing his identity to the Defendants as the owner and operator of K & R Lehman Contracting. In the agreement attached to Plaintiffs' complaint, Keith L. Lehman's name appears on every page of the contract directly under the name K & R Lehman Contracting. There is no question under the contract that Defendants entered into an agreement with Keith L. Lehman and that Keith L. Lehman and K & R Lehman Contracting are one in the same. Defendants have not alleged that they did not know Keith L. Lehman was involved in the transaction nor have they alleged with any seriousness that they did not know with whom they were deuling. Further, as an individual party to the contract, Keith L. Lehman brought this action aguinst Defendants for damages resulting from their breach of the tenm of the agreement. This action was not brought in the name of K & R Lehman Contracting alone because the contract was not entered into by K & R Lehman Contracting. Therefore, Keith L. Lehman has not violated the Fictitious Names Act because he has not transacted business under an assumed name; rather, he has contracted business under his own name ulong with a trade name that describes his business. I Additionally, Defendants vigorously argue that Tammy Lehman should not be a purty to this lawsuit because she is not an "owner" of the now registered fictitious name, K & R Lehman Contracting. Although Tammy Lehman was not a party to the contract and does not have all interest in UK & R Lehman Contracting," she was made a party as the spouse of Keith L. Lehman who has gained rights in the contract by virtue of her position. Her presence as a plaintiff 4 2. lIeelluse 1'llIlullffs duly I'elllslel'ed K & I( I.ehmllu CUlllrllcllllllllS II fictitious 1I11me ulldel'lIw I\CI,lII1Y derecls \\'el'e cUl'edlllldlhe 1'llIllIllffs lire 111 suhsllllllllll comllUlIllce \\'lIh IIw Illclltlous NlImes Act. 54 1'1I,C,S. !l33\(c), On April 21, IlJlJH, Keith L, Ldumn duly reglslcll'd K &,1{ l.clumn COllll'Ucling as a fictitious name with the Departn~ntol' State. All hough I'I1IilllilTs donlll helleve that this was ueces~ary since they did not transact business with Deleudllnts uuder IIn assunlCd name, they nevertheless liIed the registration to cure any delecls ami In allow them to he in "suhstanlilll compliance" with the Fictitious Names Act. Parties who truusact business uuder an assumed nan1C and then initiate an uction, may be deemed in "substantial compliance" with Ihe Ficlitinus NanlCs Act under Sectioll 331 (c) if they regi~ter the fictitious name soollllfler I~ginning the IIIWSUit, SI'I' .lolli/soli 1'. Lllllrelallll Bllilders, II Pa. D. & C. 4th 271 (IlJlJ I). I'arties ill "subslantial compliance" with the Act are 1I0t penalized. Because Keith L. Lehman registered K & I{ Lehman Conlructing as u fictitious lIame within a few weeks of initiating the lawsuit and beclluse Del'emlanls have 1I0t ulleged tlwtthey did not know with whom they were dealing, Plaintiffs should he deemed in substantial compliance with the Act and permitted to proceed with their action against Defendants. For the above reasons, Plaintiffs request that Defendants' preliminary objection raising lack of jurisdiction over the subject mutter be overruled. \ , I II. 1'I111nliffs hllve stilted II c1l1hnUIIlIl1 which relier clln be granted in contract and unjust enrichment where 1'llIinliffs hllve 1I11eged thllt IJefendants permitted all additions lInd suhtl'llclions under the conslructiun agreement, l , Defendants have demurred 10 Pluintiffs' complaint on grounds that, because the agreement between the parties requires thut "change order form~" be completed before additional work is perfonllCd, Plaintiffs cannot maintain their cuuse of action without averring that these "change order form~" had been completed. Plaintiffs, however, do not need to make such a specific allegation to will not prejudice Defendanls in any wuy but, ruther, will protect her rights as the spouse of Keith L. Lehman. 5 ~ . -.......,...t' support their cause of action. Plaintiffs have properly stated a cause of uction in contract and unjust enrichment because they huve alleged Ilmt Defendants e,l"pI'C'.I',\'ly permitted all the udditions and subtractions alleged in paragruphs 5 and 6: 5. Modifications to the work to be performed under the Agreement resulted in IU'l'1Ilissible udditions totaling $14,(ilJO.7H thus adding this amount to the contract price. 6. Modification to the work to be performed under the Agreement resulted in permissible subtractions totaling $13,42lJ.OO thus subtracting this amount from the contract price. (Emphasis added). Permitting the additions and substraction by change order form, while stated in the contract, is not the only method by which Defendants could have given this permission. For example, Defendants could have waived their right to a change order form if they allowed the additions or subtractions to be made by standing by and saying nothing while knowing that a change order form had not been completed. See West Shore Lumber CompallY v. Sweelley, II Monroe L. R. 24 (llJ4H) (holding that a party cunnot stand by and watch u job be performed and then refuse to pay because certain contractual obligations were not fulfilled). Nevertheless, the argument raised by the Defendants is factual in nature and inappropriate at the preliminary objection stage. If Defendants wish to urgue that the permission given to Keith L. Lehman to make the additions and subtractions was somehow defective under the terl1t~ of the contract, i.e., no change order forl1t~, Defendants are free to include such arguments as affirmative defenses. Defendants, however, are prohibited from arguing that such a requirement be specifically pleaded given that so many factual issues surrounding this issue must be developed. For the ubove reasons, Plaintiffs request that Defendants' demurrer be overruled. 6 . ......,,..;' C. PlaintilTs' ClIIlllJluill1 dues Ilul illUIJIII'ulJriulely luck sJlecificily under l'u,R.C,P, III I 9(rJ. Defendants have preliminurily objected to Plaintiffs' complainl on grounds that it lacks specificity under Pa.R.C.P. 10 IlJ(O because Plaintiffs have not itemized each and every addition and substraction as alleged in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the complaint. Defendants' objection should be overruled for two reasons: (I) Rule I () IlJ(O does not require that "extras" claimed under a contract be specifically pleaded when discovery procedures are available, and (2) Counsel for Defendants requested a letter itemizing those additions and subtractions in lieu of an amended complaint, and that letter has been provided. Rule 10 IlJ(1) requires that "[a]verments of time, place and itel1t~ of special damage be specifically pleaded." However, modifications to contracts, i.e., extras, need not be pleaded with any more specificity than identifying the group of extras and claiming a lump sum for each group. See ge/lerally Wal'.I'haw v. Arami/lgo Realty COI]}., 15 D. & C. 2d 480 (I lJ5H). The discovery process i.~ to be used to ascertain the details surrounding these "extras." [d. Therefore, in the present case, Plaintiffs have adequately described the additions and subtructions under the contract. Regardless, Defendants should be estopped from maintaining their preliminary objection based on specificity due to the behavior of their counsel. On or about April 6, 1998, counsel for Plaintiffs, Carl C. Risch, contacted counsel for Defendants, Wayne Shade, regarding the preliminary objections. Affidavit of Carl C. Risch ~ 2. In that telephone conversation, Mr. Risch specifically asked Mr. Shade if he wished Plaintiffs to amend their complaint and itemize each and every addition and substraction under the agreement making these allegutions a matter of record. Affidavit of Carl C. Risch ~ 3. Mr. Shade specifically instructed Mr. Risch not to amend the compluint with such facts but, rather, to write Mr. Shade a letter itemizing the additions and subtractions so he could discuss them with the Defendants. Affidavit of Carl C. Risch ~ 4. Mr. Risch complied with this request by writing a detailed letter to Mr. Shade, dated April 15, llJ9H, specifically itemizing these additions and subtractions. Affidavit of Carl C. Risch ~ 5. Even though counsel for the Defendants was provided the letter, Defendants have refused to withdraw their preliminary objections based on specificity. i , 7 l11erefore, the preliminary objection should be nverruled becnuse the Defendants have already been supplied with specific information in the form reqnested .. a leller not made part of Ihe record. IV. CONCLUSION Wherefore, Plaintiff.~ request tlmt the preliminary objections be overruled for the above reasons. MARTSON, DEARDORFF, WILLIAMS & OTTO By r~,Dw' ~ (vo V. Otto, III, Esquire PA Attorney LD. No. 27763 Carl C. Risch, Esquire PA Attorney LD. No. 75901 Ten East High Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-3341 Attol'lleys fol' Plaillliff.\' Date: June IlJ, IlJ98 j H fl:'HI.I!\\IIATAI'IUNiI!NIM M "'IIl'IWM.AI'I1.t"'lIl1 "I'I'IIr.I: lIV'Jv'}MII2.....M I'M ~nlW.l: 1.,ltYllIlTW1:l""M '11".1 KEITH L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, tldlbla K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, Plaintiffs IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA No. lJH-1142 Civil Term v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants Jury Trial Demanded AFFIIlA VI'!' I, Carl C. Risch, being duly sworn according to law, depose and say that: I. I am an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and I am currently representing Keith L. And Tammy Lehman in the above captioned suit. 2. On or ubout April Ii, IlJ9H, I contacted counsel for Defendants, Wayne Shade, regarding the preliminary objections that he filed in the above captioned suit. 3. In that telephone conversation, I specifically asked Mr. Shade if he wished Plaintiffs to amend their complaint und itemize each and every addition and substraction under the ugreement making these allegations a matter of record. 4. Mr. Shade specifically instructed me not to amend the complaint with such facts but, rather, to write Mr. Shade u letter itemizing the additions und subtractions so he could discuss them with the Defendants. 5. I complied with thi~ request by writing u detailed letter to Mr. Shade, dated April 15, IlJlJH, specifically itemizing these additions and subtractions, A c pyof he letter is ~ayd hereto. Carl C, Risch STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA : 5S COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND On Uds. Ule 19U1 day nf June. 199M, bellJre me Ihe undersigned onicer, persoually appeared Carl C. Risch known In me nr salisfaclnrily proven In be the person whose name is subscribed 10 Ihe wilhiu instrument 11l1d acknowledged thai he execuled the slllne for the purpnses Iherein eontaiued. '/tall EXHIBIT "A" Notarial Soal Trlela D. Eekenroad, Notary Public Carlisle Boro, Cumberlond Counly My Commission Expires Oct. 23. 2000 " .1 \ exhibit 8 '~'-'-'--'--:? . . . "'t" t 8 vIta,,&n, q)etWdO'1'# fl{tliam6 &- O'tto Wayne P. Shade, Esquire April IS, 1998 Pago 2 Heating House Package - Increase in Lumber Prices Drywall. 33 sheets Siding - Exterior Comers Kitchen Pantry Circle Tops in Master Bath Upstairs Closets Two 3042 Windows Upstairs in Bonus Room Brass Hardware (French Door in Master Bedroom) Paint and Prep (French Door in Master Bedroom) Add Fish Scales to Pront Exterior Siding - Extra Circle Top in Garage Add Twin Window in Garage - 2nd Floor Add Laundry Room Door to Foyer Stairway - Paint and Stain Labor 3/0 Door - 9 Lite Slab Only for Garage TOTAL ADDITIONS n. Lehman Subtractions/Credits Flooring Vanities, Tops and Cabinets for Laundry Room Lighting Gas Fireplace Sidewalk Flooring for Bonus Room Drywall for Bonus Room Trim and Paint for Bonus Room Work to be Completed - 2 small handrails, tighten balusters, paint typon and door trim, and general clean-up Change Cap Shingles TOTAL CREDITS m. Henne Additions Building Permit Electrie Plumbing House Package Lumber Increase Upstairs Closets 2 Windows in Bonus Room Brass Hardware, French Door Add Twin Window in Garage, 2nd Floor I \ 'I , 2,105.34 2,487.00 273.57 200.00 454.56 312.50 807.74 685.00 257.51 175.00 100,00 40.00 100.00 182.50 750.00 14500 $14,690.78 $6,440.00 1,951.00 1,000.00 1,500.00 650,00 948.00 265,00 475.00 , 1 , 1 , . . 100.00 100 00 $13,429.00 I( $ 858.82 f I 679.00 i ; 881.00 . ! 2,487.00 I 300.00 I 685.00 [, 150.00 1\ 100.00 .AtaI'I.wn, q)f!04'dol'lt 'fI{tlt'amJ cY 0110 , Wayne P. Shade, Esquire April 15, 1998 Page 3 Add Laundry Room Door to Foyer TOTAL ADDITIONS 18250 $6,523.32 IV. Henne SubstractionslCredits ~ o o Flooring Vanities, etc. for Laundry Lighting Gas Fireplace Sidewalk Flooring for Bonus Room Drywall for Bonus Room Trim and Paint Bonus Room Work to be completed: Change Cap Shingles Paint Doors Install Oak Stairway per plans Install Porch Posts Install Screens Install Dryer Vent Correct Basement Stairs Install Handrails Front Door Provided by Hennes Front Door Knob Stone for Driveway TOTAL CREDITS $6,440.00 1,951.00 1,000.00 1,500.00 650.00 948.00 265.00 475.00 725.00 300.00 1,825.00 325.00 70.00 135.00 425.00 110.00 364.00 100.00 56919 $18,177.19 If the detail provided in this letter is satisfuctory to you and your clients, please withdraw your preliminary objections to the complaint based on specificity per our conversation. If you rP.quire more specificity, please let us know and I will make reeeipts and other materials available. I look forward to working with you in resolving this matter. Whenever you are ready to discuss settlement, please feel free to eontact me. Very truly yours, I' MARTS ON, DEARDORFF, Wll.LIAMS & 0170 ;, Carl C. Risch F.\FJLES\DATAFlLE'GENLn9N69o.WS.2 ':'< ,-" KEITH L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, t/d/b/a K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, PLAINTIFFS V. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, DEFENDANTS 98-1142 CIVIL TERM ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this 13th day of July, 1998, the preliminary objections of defendants to plaintiffs' complaint. ARE DISMISSED. Edgar B. Bayley J. Ivo V. Otto, III, Esquire For Plaintiffs _ rA~ ~ 'l/t't/q'd. J --U" .:z,f'. Wayne F. Shade, Esquire For Defendants :saa ,.. h; j.;:. I.IJ ~;': ':(Jr- p:.1' "I' <:')('"1 A,_, wL.~ U:~\I r', b 111 ..:J 9 ~ ,:~ ?~=:: -co<': '.....J ~.l ; ~.; , ..:~:! :'''(1) .',.;. iil':S ~{~u... '!!;, U "'n -.1: C':l (,..'1 , -~, :::to 00 ell V; '-"I, cd 'IICC" UJ.I~ ~',I__,:,'E() ','" ",a 1II ~ - ;~:':E~ :~~ ~~~l 8,.~ ~ ~ .. ~ !ll~ ~I~ ;~ ~, , > '" filr.l Iii . .e "I>: :f:.El I~~ . ~ . . .. .' " , . ':'.:/ , -tIl ifHl f3g5;j C~fll '~ ~~ tIlCS f::~ H - ~f5t1l ~il ~~f3 ~- C ~ !~,=,) s < ",' !;c'. ~ '.~ '- ~ ~~. i5Ij~i~ c 2. OiVLC;; ~ ~r"\, r~"~,~iS 01----4. eX", .. ~ ~'-' i Il ~ ~J !:1, ~ ~ i5 ~ ~, ::E '" '( I-VI-, -..;. . .... ,'..' .. " < .'," " ", " , ,- ...... flflLf.lriII)ATAr1I.1:'4J1:NIXX'Yl'N1I1URI! I l',mld 01l2~U~2.wrM RMMd'0III1Ml10IlI0IP.L1 KEITH L, LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, t/dlb/a K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, Plaintiffs IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA No. 98-1142 Civil Term v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants Jury Trial Demanded REPLY OF PLAINTIFFS TO DEFENDANTS' NEW MATTER AND ANSWER TO DEFENDANTS' COUNTERCLAIM AND NOW, eo me the Plaintiffs, Keith L. Lehman and Tammy Lehman, trading and doing business as K & R Lehman Contracting, by and through their attorneys, Martson, Deardorff, Williams & Otto, and hereby reply and answer as follows: REPLY TO NEW MATTER 22. Admitted. 23. Admitted, By way of further answer, K & R Lehman Contraeting has been properly registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State as a fietitious name. 24. Admitted. By way of further answer, Tammy Lehman is a plaintiff in this action in order to defend any interest in the business of her husband, Keith Lehman, that she may have gained by being his spouse. 25. Admitted. ANSWER TO COUNTERCLAIM 26. Denied. The averments in paragraph 26 inappropriately attempt to charaeterize or paraphrase the terms c;>f the Agreement, which is a writing, a speaks for itself. 27. Admitted in part, denied in part, It is admitted that the dwelling was to be construeted in accordance with a floor plan, but this allegation is denied to the extent that it implies that this floor plan could not properly be modified by the parties upon agreement. ! .,i c r 28. Admitted. By way of further answer, the ehanges in design to the stairway between the first and seeond floors of the dwelling were made at the direetion of the Defendants. 29, Admitted. By way of further answer, the Defendants were given eredit for these omissions and the amount due under the contract was redueed aecordingly. 30. Denied, It is specifically denied that the shingles were installed with exposed nails. The Plaintiffs Jack sufficient knowledge to either admit or deny the remaining allegations in paragraph 30 and those allegations are therefore denied, 31. Denied. It is specifieally denied that the first floor joists are too small to support the floor. To the contrary, the joists are of adequate size. 32. Denied. The Plaintiffs laek sufficient knowledge to either admit or deny the allegations in paragraph 32 and those allegations are therefore denied. By way of further answer, Plaintiffs did not install a sump pump. Plaintiffs only installed a hole into whieh a sump pump eould be placed. 33. The Plaintiffs laek sufficient knowledge to either admit or deny the allegations in paragraph 33 and those allegations are therefore denied, 34. The Plaintiffs lack sufficient knowledge to either admit or deny the allegations in paragraph 34 and those allegations are therefore denied, 35. Admitted in part, denied in part, It is admitted that some doors were not painted, but Plaintiffs laek sufficient knowledge as to how many doors were not painted and thus these allegations are denied. By way of further answer, it was eommercially reasonable not to paint the doors that were not painted because these doors led to unfinished areas. 36. Admitted. By way of further answer, Defendants would not permit Plaintiffs to install the sereens. 37, Denied. AJI sereens were provided by Plaintiffs. 38. Admitted. By way of further answer, Defendants would not permit Plaintiffs to install a elothes drier vent. 2 '"' 39, Admitted. By way of further answer, Defendants brought in a separate contractor to eomplete construction of the basement stairs before Plaintiffs eould complete construction themselves. 40. Admitted. By way of further answer, Defendants would not permit Plaintiffs to install the handrails, the Defendants were given credit for these omissions, and the amount due under the eontract was reduced aecordingly. 41. Admitted. By way of further answer, the Defendants were given credit for this item and the amount due under the eontract was redueed aceordingly. 42. Admitted. By way of further answer, the Defendants were given credit for this item and the amount due under the contraet was reduced aeeordingly, 43. Admitted. By way of further answer, Plaintiffs did not provide driveway stone because the Defendants had already exceeded their excavating allowance whieh included this item. 44. Denied, The Plaintiffs lack sufficient knowledge to either admit or deny the allegations in paragraph 44 and those allegations are therefore denied. 45. Admitted. By way of further answer, the failure to install an ice maker shut off valve was at the direetion of the Defendants. 46. Denied. To the contrary, the plumbing charges exceeded the plumbing allowance by $881.00 and the Defendants aequicsced to this. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs demand judgment in their favor and against Defendants. M1\TSON, .?7'\~ORFF, WILLIAMS & OTTO By \. ~att O~ :Q Ivo V. Otto, III, Esquire PA Attorney 1.0. No. 27763 Carl C. Riseh, Esquire PA Attorney I.D. No. 75901 Ten East High Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-3341 AltomeY.I'for Plaintiffs Date: August 17, 1998 3 . . KEITH L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, tIdlb/a K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, Plaintiffs IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA No, 98-1142 Civil Term v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants Jury Trial Demanded CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby eertifY that a true and correet copy of the foregoing was served this date by depositing the same in the Post Office at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows: Wayne F. Shade, Esquire 53 West Pomfret Street Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 MARTS ON, DEARDORFF, WILLIAMS & OTTO By 0 ~OcfLQ Carl C. Riseh, Esquire PA Attorney 1.0. No. 75901 Ten East High Street Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-3341 AttorneY.I'for Plaintiffs Date: August 17,1998 4 KEITH L. LEHMAN and TAMMY LEHMAN, Ud/b/a : K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING: Plaintiffs IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. NO. 98-1142 CIVIL TERM KERRY R. HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants CIVIL ACTION-LAW JURY TRIAL DEMANDED PRAECIPE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF COUNSEL TO THE PROTHONOTARY: Please note my withdrawal as counsel for Kerry R. Henne and Joan M. Henne, Defendants in the above mailer. Dated: , By:~6~, Robert L. O'Brien, Esquire 17 West South Street Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 (717) 249-6873 The undersigned Defendants in the above captioned action consent to the withdrawal of Robert L. O'Brien, EsqUire as counsel and will proceed pro se in the mailer. Dated: 9,,}/ -1f Ljov~~~ ~~~p~ " KEITII , LEIIMAN and TAMMY LEIIMAN, Ildlbla : IN TilE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION - LAW K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, Plaintiffs NO, 98-1142 CIVIL TERM KERRY R, HENNE and JOAN M, HENNE, Defendants JURY TRIAL DEMANDED PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE Kindly enter the appearance of Steven T. Hanford, Esquire, on behalf of Defendants, Kerry and Joan Henne, in the above-eaptioned matter. .C. "'- Steven T. Hanford, squire Attorney ID No. 47105 Louis J. Capozzi, Jr., Esquire Attorney ID No. 46599 3109 North Front Street Harrisburg, P A 17110 Defendant's counsel of reeord j , Dated:~/;1,3/00 ~ .~. KEITH. LEHMAN and TAMMY LEHMAN, tldlhlll : IN TilE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION - LA W K & R LEHMAN CONTRACTING, Plaintiffs KERRY R. HENNE and JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants NO. 98.1142 CIVIL TERM JURY TRIAL DEMANDED CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 1 hereby certify that 1 am this day serving the attached materials on the person and in the manner indicated below, which service satisfies the requirements ofPa. R.C.P. No. 440: Service by first class mail, addressed as follows: Charles Mackin, Esquire COSTOPOULOS, FOSTER & FIELDS 831 Market Street Lemoyne, PAl 7043 Anthony Marrone, Esquire Miller Associates 600 North 12'h Street Lemoyne, P A 17043 Daniel K. Deardorff, Esquire MARTS ON, DEARDORFF, WILLIAMS & OTTO 10 East High Street Carlisle, PA 17013 Bradley L. Griffie GRIFFIE & ASSOCIATES 200 North Hanover Street Carlisle, PA 17013 Steven T. Hanford, quire Louis J. Capozzi, Jr., Esquire 3109 North Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 Defendant's counsel of record Date: c:f(j:;, 31 00 I . ".1 .~. KEITH L. LEHMAN & TAMMY LEHMAN, t/d/b/a K & R LEHMAN CONl'RACrING, Plaintiff l~; THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CL"lBERLAND COUNTY I PENNSYLVANIA' ~1O. 98-1142 CIVIL 1998 v. KERRY R. HENNE & JOAN M. HENNE, Defendants . . . RULE 1312-1. The Petition for Appointment of Arbitrators shall be substantially in the following form: PETITION FOR APPOINnl~T OF ARBITRATORS TO THE HONORABLE. THE JUDGES OF SAID COURT: Daniel K. Deardorff, Esquire , counsel for the plaintiff~~~~~~a~~~ in the above action (or actions), respectfully represents that: 1. The above-captioned action (or actions) is (are) at issue. 2. The claim of the plaintiff in the action is S18,l15.00 The counterclaim of the defendant in the action is not in excess of $25/000.00 The following attorneys are interested in the case(s) as counselor are other- wise disqualified to sit as arbitrators: Law Firm of Martson Deardorff Willian~ Law Firm of O'Brien, Baric & Scherer, and Wayne F. Shade, Esquire WHEREFORE. your petitioner prays your Honorable Court to appoint three (3) arbitrators to whom the case shall be submitted. ORDER OF' em'p.T A..'lD NOW , 19.2.L, in consideration of the Esq., f!l,A.!f..1/ W~ . forego ing Esq., and ,Esq., are appointed arbitrators in the above-captioned actions) as prayed for. P. J. ., " FILED-OPFlCE or: TI.:? r,,-,'v..:;\liOTMY 99 SEP 21, ^"10: IJ B CUMBb,li.\D COUNT'l' PENNSYLVANiA -' ~ OJ -a. 00 ("6 fr. ~ 0 c-- ("J 8 c- 1.0 ~ N 8$ c- oo UJQ u~- :c: t ~ t() ':ij it n:~ a.. :>. j cL. "l-r G!;;.J ~b ,... "':.G5 ~ r...: :::12: . ':"'- ffi -. Et~~ C!- ...- r!:: L:J ..il~ v; :"E 1.1.. CTo ::J (.1 Cj\ (.) ,......: ..;...., \. KtlTI-t L. LC'7m'l'" J In''''......, ) LEktnltN I tldl4/r_ J<. ~ Lel.....c.^ ) Co"..,..,... c;h'(j . ) PIc. ...+1 F{\. ) ) ) ) In The Court of Common Pleas of We, the undersigned arbitrators, having been duly appointed and sworn (or affirmed), make the following award: (Note: If damages for delay are awarded, they shall be separately stated.) Oil f1,.{' (10m" 1&>.;,., t Wc:.-{,'~" j'^ ,r var- ,..f -/1..<" Pln;.,i:(1; fA, -f1...e t:.IMtI'J"T c:r , f,.:a f> /3) 78(). of(.. 61\. -n.. (C\u,.{.,r(" I....." _de -h'n~A ;"+;',-1(,,. o-f' -/1..... Oe..:fOo.,xoJ'-:t-J j" -f1-..f' OlY1r)u.,+ r>F &~ ("("3.''1. Carl... (",,1., -k. hr-r:..r -/1..t>;-""ro,l.\f'l ~h. Cumberland County, ~ennsylvania ~o.--9..!,- 11'1;) C; v, I ~ krr-. tau.'! I<.. 'rEAJ,.JF ~ Jo,tJ,J HENIoJE, .n. OATH We do solemnly swear (or affirm) that we the Constitution of the United States and the wealth and that we will discharge the dutie will support, obey and defend C~nstitution of this Common- ice with fidelity. AWARD Arbitrator, dissents. (Insert name i: applicable. ) Date of Hearing: '1(/7( ();::, Date of Award: L( I, r ( 0(\ NOTICE OF ENTRY OF AWARD . ~ooo 3' WI .p . ~_ t at:' t .~1., the above and notice thereof given by-mail to the Now, the }7111 day of AfW.S2 award was entered upon the docket parties or their attornevs. Arbitrators' comcensation to be paid upon appeal~ $ 8,'10,OD .~no' Protn \\J \~I.'N:1:.""'I\'\: Deputy By: (,.It.'it;. " M. "" . G..+h ~: J.u.LH -,.. ..,~. ".............. ~. c..k......t.... P. 1\'1 ..,It..:... . a,~ In ILM.v....~. lIe...;.'...... I a.......~, Pc. (. vv '/l."ff)., / l.-~' J;.. ,t',.....,- . r... I 7.' '(;1 1 . .-, 1~ e.. l' ,r. U'-' - ~ ~ J J .. t" ,-.f 0 ~ ~ t~' ? 7-l {t " . -y.. .f' yr. 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