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1111: 13
Neil W. Yalm, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 82278
James Smith Dietterick & Connelly, LLP
P.O. Box 650
Hershey, PA 17036
Attorney for Plaintiff
MARK FRESE ELECTRICIANS, INC.,
V.
Plaintiff
ERIC P. FIELDER, an adult individual and
SUNNYROCK BUILDING & DESIGN,
LLC, d/b/a SUNNYROCK HOMES
"T..ERIAND COUNT'
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. apl?- ?L/? C1Ut?
Defendants : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NOTICE TO DEFEND
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against the claims 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
an attorney and filing in writing with the Court your defenses or objections to the
claims 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 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 HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET
FORTH BELOW. THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION
ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A
LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES
TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE.
Lawyer Referral Service
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pa 17013
(717) 249-3166 - Toll Free (800) 990-9108
9).
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Neil W. Yahn, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 82278
James Smith Dietterick & Connelly, LLP
P.O. Box 650
Hershey, PA 17036
Attorney for Plaintiff
MARK FRESE ELECTRICIANS, INC., IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V. NO.
ERIC P. FIELDER, an adult individual and
SUNNYROCK BUILDING & DESIGN,
LLC, d/b/a SUNNYROCK HOMES
Defendants : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
AVISO
USTED HA SIDO DEMANDADO/A EN CORTE. Si usted desea defenderse de las
demandas que se presentan mds adelante en las siguientes pdginas, debe tomar accion dentro
de los pr6ximos veinte (20) dias despu6s de la notificaci6n de esta Demanda y Aviso
radicando personalmente o por medio de un abogado una comparencencia escrita y
radicando en la Corte por escrito sus defensas de, y objecciones a, las demandas presentadas
aqui en contra suya. Se le advierte de que si usted falla de tomar accion como se describe
anteriormente, el caso puede proceder sin usted y un fallo por cualquier suma de dinero
reclamada en la demanda o cualquier otra reclamaci6n o remedio solicitado por el
demandante puede ser dictado en contra suya por la Corte sin mds aviso adicional. Usted
puede perder dinero o propiedad u otros derechos importantes para usted.
USTED DEBE LLEVAR ESTE DOCUMENTO A SU ABOGADO IMMEDIATAMENTE.
SI USTED NO TIENE UN ABOGADO, LLAME O VAYA A LA SIGUIENTE OFICINA.
ESTA OFICINA PUEDE PROVEERLE INFORMACION A CERCA DE COMO
CONSEGUIR UN ABOGADO. SI USTED NO PUEDE PAGAR POR LOS SERVICIOS
DE UN ABOGADO, ES POSIBLE QUE ESTA OFICINA LE PUEDA PROVEER
INFORMACION SOBRE AGENCIAS QUE OFREZCAN SERVICIOS LEGALES SIN
CARGO O BAJO COSTO A PERSONAS QUE CUALIFICAN.
Lawyer Referral Service
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pa 17013
(717) 249-3166 - Toll Free (800) 990-9108
Neil W. Yahn, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 82278
James Smith Dietterick & Connelly, LLP
P.O. Box 650
Hershey, PA 17036
Attorney for Plaintiff
MARK FRESE ELECTRICIANS, INC.,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V.
NO.
ERIC P. FIELDER, an adult individual and
SUNNYROCK BUILDING & DESIGN,
LLC, d/b/ a SUNNYROCK HOMES
Defendants
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
COMPLAINT
AND NOW comes the Plaintiff, Mark Frese Electricians, Inc. (herein "Plaintiff '),
by and through its undersigned counsel, JAMES, SMITH, DIETTERICK &
CONNELLY, LLP, who hereby submits the within Complaint against the Defendants, Eric
P. Fielder, an adult individual (herein "Fielder" individually) and Sunnyrock Building and
Design, LLC, d/b/a Sunnyrock Homes (herein the "Contractor" individually and
collectively the "Defendants" with Fielder). In support thereof, Plaintiff avers as follows:
PARTIES
Plaintiff is a Pennsylvania Corporation currently operating at 1135 Victor
Lane, Dauphin, Pennsylvania 17018 and specializes in the field of electrical wiring and
installation.
2. Fiedler is an adult individual currently residing at the Property as defined
herein below.
Contractor is a Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company doing business as
Sunnyrock Homes located at 1780 Pinetown Road, Wellsville, Pennsylvania 17365.
FACTS AND BACKGROUND
4. Plaintiff's dispute with the Defendants stems from the construction of a
residential property located at 506 Halyard Way, Enola, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
17025 (herein the "Property")
Fielder is the owner of the Property who hired Contractor as the general
contractor for the construction thereof.
6.. In or about February of 2009, Plaintiff was contacted by Contractor to
provide the electrical wiring and installation for the Property (herein the "Agreement').
T The materials hereinafter referred to were furnished pursuant to an oral
contract on or about February 20, 2009, wherein the Plaintiff agreed to furnish certain
materials and labor of which an itemized statement is attached as Exhibit "A" and the
Defendants agreed to pay for each item at the price set forth in Exhibit "A".
8. The materials were furnished and the labor was provided in and about the
erection and construction of the Property from February 2009 to August 2009.
9. The total amount of the contract price agreed upon by the parties was Thirty
Six Thousand Nine Hundred Thirteen Dollars ($36,913.00).
10. On or about May 4, 2009, Plaintiff received a payment in the amount of
Eighteen Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty Dollars ($18,850.00).
-2-
11. The amount still due and owing to Plaintiff is Eighteen Thousand Sixty Three
Dollars ($18,063.00), being the agreed-on contract price less the amount received by
Plaintiff on or about May 4, 2009.
12. The first materials were furnished by Plaintiff on or about February 27, 2009
and the last materials were furnished on August 19, 2009.
13. To date, the Defendants still have not tendered the balance owed to the
Plaintiff, namely Eighteen Thousand Sixty Three Dollars ($18,063.00).
14. Plaintiff believes that Contactor may have not been fully compensated by
Fielder for completion of the Property and in turn, Plaintiff has not been compensated by
either Defendant.
COUNT I - BREACH OF CONTRACT
15. On or about February 20, 2009, Plaintiff and Defendants entered into an
agreement wherein Plaintiff was to provide a variety of supplies and labor to the Property
for completion of the electrical wiring work over the course of construction.
16. The total amount of the contract price agreed upon by the parties was Thirty
Six Thousand Nine Hundred Thirteen Dollars ($36,913.00).
17. On or about May 4, 2009, Plaintiff received a payment in the amount of
Eighteen Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty Dollars ($18,850.00).
18. The amount still due and owing to Plaintiff is Eighteen Thousand Sixty Three
Dollars (S 18,063.00), being the agreed-on contract price less the amount received by
Plaintiff on or about May 4, 2009.
-3-
19. The Defendants have not remitted any further payments to Plaintiff for the
amount owed since the partial payment in breach of the Agreement.
20. Any and all conditions precedent to full payment have been satisfied by
Plaintiff.
21. Defendants' obligation to pay for the work and supplies provided by Plaintiff
under the terms of the Agreement remain unsatisfied.
22. Due to Defendants' breach, Eighteen Thousand Sixty Three Dollars
($18,063.00) is due and owing to Plaintiff.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment in its favor and against the Defendants
for the total amount due of Eighteen Thousand Sixty Three Dollars ($18,063.00), plus the
legal rate of interest from August 19, 2009 and additional costs of suit.
COUNT II - UNJUST ENRICHMENT
23. In the event it is determined that no contract existed in fact or at law between
Plaintiff and the Defendants as alleged in Count I, Plaintiff alleges that the Defendants have
been unjustly enriched by the labor and materials supplied by Plaintiff.
24. Plaintiff supplied certain equipment, materials and labor to the Defendants
and the Defendants accepted the same as indicated in the attached Exhibit "A".
25. Plaintiff conferred an extensive benefit upon the Defendants by specifically
providing them with equipment, materials and labor in the amount of Thirty Six Thousand
Nine Hundred Thirteen Dollars ($36,913.00).
26. Plaintiff was denied return on the contribution as the Defendants have failed
to remit the remaining balance of Eighteen Thousand Sixty Three Dollars ($18,063.00) to
-4-
Plaintiff, which is accurately accounted for and reflected in the amount owing (see Exhibit
27. Plaintiff was induced by the Defendants to provide the required equipment,
materials and labor based upon anticipated payment by the Defendants.
28. Defendants have received the benefit of the equipment, materials and labor
supplied by Plaintiff as they were accepted by the Defendants and installed on the Property.
29. Defendants will be unjustly enriched if they are allowed to retain the benefit
of the equipment, materials and labor without compensating Plaintiff for the same.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment in its favor and against the Defendants
for the total amount due of Eighteen Thousand Sixty Three Dollars ($18,063.00), plus the
legal rate of interest from August 19, 2009 and additional costs of suit.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES, SMITH, DIETTERICK &
CONNELLY,LLP
Date: April ? , 2012 By:
N'Lome* a
A . No. 82278
13 enue
Hown, PA 17036
(717) 533-3280
Attorney for Plaintiff
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EXHIBIT A
Mark Frese Electricians
1135 Victor Lane Phone: 921-8637
Dauphin,, Pa. 17018 Fax: 921 -815 5
February 1, 2010
Bill To: fob Address:
Sunnyrock Builders Lot 29,Fiedlers'
Job Request: Date Started:. Date Finished:
As directed 02 27 09 08 1909
Completion of contract 18,063.00
'Ree'd 5/4/09 18,850.00
Total Labor 19924.00
Total Materials 1-6989.00
Permit/Inspection 120.00
Please Pay this Amount: $18,063
Thank You
Payment is clue-upon receipt.,
A monthly service charge of 2% will be added if this invoice is not paid within
thirty days
Mark Frese Electricians, Inc
date labor hours
2/27/2009 4
3/2/2009 .18
3/3/2009 16
3/4/2009 16
3/5/2009 16
3/6/2009 16
3/9/2009 10
3/10/2009 16
3/11/2009 16
3/12/2009 16
3/17/2009 16
3/18/2009 11
3119/2009 16 .
312612009 .14
4/2/2009 '16
4/3/2009 16
4/6/2009 16
4/7/2009 16
4/8/2009 16
4/9/2009 16
4122/2009 4
4/27/2009 6
5/13/2009 1
5/21/2009 10
6/25/2009 16
6/26%2009 10
6/29/2009 16
.6/30/2009 16
7/1012009 16
7/13/2009 16
7/14/2009 16
7/20/2009 16
7/22/2009 12
7/23/2009 16
7/24/2009 14
8/3/2009 16
8/4/2009 .16
8/5/2009 8
8/6/2009 16
8/17/2009 16
8/18/2009 16
8/19/2009 16
Total Hours 586
Hourly Rate 34
Total Labor $ 19,924.00
Lot 29
date materials cost
3/3/09 $979.00
3/4/09 $290.00
3/5/09 $29.00
3/5109 $980.00
3/11/09 $951.00
3/16/09 $241.00
3/16/09 $157.00
3/17/09 $292.00
3/17109 $492.00
3/19/09 $188.00
3/23/09 $325.00
3/23/09 $348.00
3/27/09 $481.00
4/1/09 $91;00
.4/2/09 $149.00
4/3/09 $464.00
417/09 $176.00
4/8/09 $355.00
4/9/09 $19.00
4/9/09 $188.00
4/10/09 $68.00
4/10/09 -$259.00 return
4/22/09 $33.00
.4/8/09 $29.00
5/21/09 $15.00
6/26/09 $1,290.00
6/29/09 $749.00
7/10/09 $887.00
7/10/09 $580.00
7/10/09 $153.00
7/10/09 $344.00
7/10/09 $629.00
7/14/09 $137.00
7/20/09 $798.00
7/22/00 $719.00
7/24/09 $262.00
7/14/09 $1,627.00
7/23/09 $273.00
7/27109 $247.00
7/27/09 -$72.00 return
7/22/09 $171.00
7/24/09 $16.00
8/4/09 $323.00
8/5/09 $289.00
8/19/09 $22.00
815/09 $23.00
8/7/09 $489.00
8/7/09 $83.00
8/7/09 $67.00
8/7/09 -$401.00 return
8/19/09 $203.00
Total Materials $16,989.00
Neil W. Yahn, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 82278
James Smith Dietterick & Connelly, LLP
P.O. Box 650
Hershey, PA 17036
Attorney for Plaintiff
MARK FRESE ELECTRICIANS, INC.,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V.
: NO.
ERIC P. FIELDER, an adult individual and
SUNNYROCK BUILDING & DESIGN,
LLC, d/b/a SUNNYROCK HOMES
Defendants : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
AND NOW, this 4` Tay of April, 2012, I, Neil W. Yahn, Esquire, do hereby certify
that I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing Complaint upon the following below-
named individuals by depositing the same in the U.S. Mail, postage pre-paid at Hershey,
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania:
Craig I. Adler, Esquire
Capozzi & Associates, P.C.
P.O. Box 5866
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110
Attorneys for Defendant Fiedler
Sunnyrock Building & Design, LLC
d/b/a Sunnyrock Homes
1780 Pinetown Road
Wellsville, Pennsylvania 17365
Defendant
(shall be served via Sheriffs Service)
Craig 1. Adler
Attorney ID: 52970
Capozzi & Associates, P.C.
P.O. Box 5866
Harrisburg, PA 17011
Attorney for Defendant
FILED-OFF ICj7
OF THE PR, 0TI10NOTA
2012 APR 27 Phi 2: 14
CUMBERLAND COUNT %`
PENNSYLVANIA
MARK FREESE ELECTRICIANS, INC. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V. No. 2012-2118 CIVIL
ERIC P. FIEDLER, an adult individual, and
SUNNYROCK BUILDING & DESIGN
LLC, d/b/a SUNNYROCK HOMES
Defendants : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DEFENDANT'S ANSWER TO COMPLAINT
AND NOW comes Defendant, Eric P. Fiedler ("Defendant Fiedler") by and through his
counsel, Capozzi & Associates, P.C., and files this Answer to Plaintiff's Complaint received on
April 9, 2012; and, in support thereof states the following:
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted.
3. Admitted.
4. Admitted.
5. Denied. The residential property at 506 Halyard Way, Enola, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17025 (the "Property") is owned by the Eric P. Fiedler, M.D. Revocable
Trust, under which Defendant Fiedler is designated as the sole trustee.
6. Admitted.
7. Denied. Defendant Fiedler states that there never existed an oral contract between
himself, Plaintiff, or Defendant Sunnyrock Building and Design, LLC ("Sunnyrock")
to furnish materials or labor for the referenced itemized statements. Defendant
Fiedler is unaware of and is certainly not a party to any contracts between Plaintiff
and Sunnyrock, and Defendant Fiedler never entered into a contract with Plaintiff.
The written Construction Agreement ("General Contractor's Agreement") entered
into on November 14, 2008 by Sunnyrock and Defendant Fiedler concerning the
Property required that any changes to the General Contractor's Agreement be made in
writing.
8. Admitted.
9. Denied. Defendant Fiedler denies Paragraph 8 to the extent that it implies the
existence of a contract between himself, Plaintiff, and Sunnyrock. Further, Defendant
Fiedler states that the electrical work agreed upon between him and Sunnyrock
pursuant to the General Contractor's Agreement was not completed by Sunnyrock or
by Plaintiff.
10. Admitted. By way of further explanation, Defendant Fiedler wishes to note that the
payment to Plaintiff was made by Sunnyrock.
11. Denied. Defendant Fiedler has no knowledge of the amount of payment still owed to
Plaintiff by Sunnyrock.
12. Admitted.
13. Denied. Defendant Fiedler has no knowledge of Sunnyrock's tendering of payment
to Plaintiff beyond the $18,063.00 already tendered to Plaintiff. Defendant Fiedler
denies the implication that he is responsible for payment to Plaintiff.
14. Denied. Defendant Fiedler has paid all required compensation to Sunnyrock and has
no ongoing obligation related thereto.
ANSWER TO COUNT I - BREACH OF CONTRACT
15. Denied. By way of further explanation, Defendant Fiedler only contracted with
Sunnyrock for the provision of services, and Defendant Fiedler never entered into an
agreement with Plaintiff.
16. Denied. By way of further explanation, Defendant Fiedler contracted with Sunnyrock
for electrical work pursuant to the General Contractor's Agreement:. Defendant
Fiedler states that at the time that Defendant Fiedler and Sunnyrock entered into the
General Contractor's Agreement, Plaintiff was not personally or otherwise known to
Defendant Fiedler and that any price or pricing arrangement between Sunnyrock and
Plaintiff for the electrical services to be performed on the Property on behalf of
Sunnyrock was agreed upon between Sunnyrock and Plaintiff. Defendant Fiedler
denies that he was a party to the negotiation or execution of the agreement between
Sunnyrock and Plaintiff and further denies liability under their agreement. Further,
Defendant Fiedler states that the electrical work agreed upon to have been performed
by Sunnyrock pursuant to the General Contractor's Agreement was not completed by
Sunnyrock or by Plaintiff.
17. Admitted. Defendant Fiedler wishes to note that the payment was tendered to
Plaintiff by Sunnyrock.
18. Denied. Defendant Fiedler has no knowledge of the payments made to Plaintiff
beyond the initial payment of $18,850.00 because Sunnyrock is responsible for
paying Plaintiff.
19. Denied. Defendant Fiedler has no responsibility to remit payment to Plaintiff.
Defendant Fiedler has no knowledge of the payments made to Plaintiff because
Sunnyrock is responsible for paying Plaintiff.
20. Denied. Defendant Fiedler has no responsibility to remit payment to Plaintiff because
Sunnyrock is responsible for paying Plaintiff. Defendant Fiedler denies that he was a
party to any negotiation or execution of the agreement between Sunnyrock and
Plaintiff concerning Plaintiff's work on the Property and further denies liability under
their agreement. Defendant Fiedler has no knowledge of the amount owed to plaintiff
for work completed by Plaintiff as of the time that Plaintiff discontinued work on the
Property under the agreement between Plaintiff and Sunnyrock; however, Defendant
Fiedler states that the electrical work agreed upon to have been performed by
Sunnyrock pursuant to the General Contractor's Agreement was not completed by
Sunnyrock or by Plaintiff at the time Plaintiff discontinued work on the Property.
21. Denied. Defendant Fiedler has no obligation to pay Plaintiff because there was no
contract between Defendant Fiedler and Plaintiff, only between Sunnyrock and
Plaintiff.
22. Denied. Defendant Fiedler has breached no contractual agreement because there is
no contract between Defendant Fiedler and Plaintiff. There exists only an agreement
between Defendant Fiedler and Sunnyrock. Defendant Fiedler denies knowledge of
the nature of the agreement between Plaintiff and Sunnyrock.
ANSWER TO COUNT II - UNJUST ENRICHMENT
23. Denied. Defendant Fiedler paid all amounts due to Sunnyrock and received no
benefit in excess of that which was originally contracted for with Sunnyrock.
24. Denied. The General Contractors Agreement reflects materials, costs, and labor
hours billed to Sunnyrock for work performed by Plaintiff on the Property between
February 27, 2009 and August 19, 2009. Defendant Fiedler states that as of August
19, 2009, when Plaintiff discontinued work on the Property the electrical work agreed
upon to have been performed by Sunnyrock pursuant to the General Contractor's
Agreement had not been completed by Sunnyrock or by Plaintiff. Since Defendant
Fiedler was not party to the agreement between Plaintiff and Sunnyrock, Defendant
Fiedler cannot know whether Plaintiff had, as of August 19, 2009, completed all of
the work on the Property required specifically under the agreement between Plaintiff
and Sunnyrock and Defendant Fiedler cannot know or verify what the nature of the
pricing arrangements were for the materials and labor provided by Plaintiff to
Sunnyrock for the electrical work provided between February 27, 2009, and August
19, 2009, on the Property. Defendant Fiedler can only speak to the contents of the
General Contractor's Agreement with respect to scope of the electrical work and costs
to Defendant Fiedler for that electrical work.
25. Denied. Defendant Fiedler has no knowledge of the nature or extent of benefit
conferred upon Sunnyrock by the efforts of Plaintiff. Defendant Fiedler also wishes
to state that according to the General Contractor's Agreement and final settlement
thereof, Defendant Fiedler has paid Sunnyrock fully for the services provided by
Plaintiff, and thus has received no benefit not already paid. It is Sunnyrock's
responsibility to pay Plaintiff.
26. Denied. Pursuant to General Contractor's Agreement and subsequent settlement
thereof, Defendant Fiedler has paid all necessary monies to Sunnyrock. Any denial
of a return on Plaintiff's contribution is the responsibility of Sunnyrock, not
Defendant Fiedler.
27. Denied. Defendant Fiedler had no prior knowledge of Plaintiff, made no promises to
Plaintiff, and therefore induced Plaintiff to do nothing.
28. Denied. Defendant Fiedler has no knowledge of benefit received on account of work
performed or materials supplied by Plaintiff, it being specifically averred that
Defendant Fiedler's contract was with Sunnyrock and it being further specifically
averred that the work performed by Plaintiff was not completed.
29. Denied. By way of further explanation, Defendant Fiedler will not be unjustly
enriched because Defendant Fiedler has paid all contracted for amounts as per the
General Contractor's Agreement and subsequent settlement thereof.
NEW MATTER
REQUEST FOR AMENDED COMPLAINT
30. Paragraphs 1-29 are hereby incorporated by reference.
31. In response to Section Five (5) of this Answer, Defendant Fiedler answered by way of
further explanation that the Property is owned by the Eric P. Fiedler, M.D. Revocable
Trust, under which Defendant Fiedler is designated as the sole trustee.
32. The Complaint sets forth only Eric P. Fiedler in his individual capacity as a
Defendant, and is thus improperly joined.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Fiedler respectfully requests that Plaintiff amend its
Complaint to remove Eric P. Fiedler in his individual capacity as a Defendant and add as
Defendant Eric P. Fiedler as Trustee for the Eric P. Fiedler, M.D. Revocable Trust.
NEW MATTER
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE - WAIVER OF LIEN
33. Paragraphs 1-32 are hereby incorporated by reference.
34. Pursuant to 49 P.S. § 1402, "a written contract between the owner and a contractor,
or a separate written instrument signed by the contractor, which provides that no
claim shall be filed by anyone, shall be binding: but the only admissible evidence
thereof, as against a subcontractor, shall be proof of actual notice thereof to him
before any labor or materials were furnished by him; or proof that such contract or
separate written instrument was filed in the office of the prothonotary prior to the
commencement of the work upon the ground or within ten (10) days after the
execution of the principal contract or not less than ten (10) days prior to the contract
with the claimant subcontractor, indexed in the name of the contractor as defendant
and the owner as plaintiff and also in the name of the contractor as plaintiff and the
owner as defendant."
35. On or about November 14, 2008, Defendant Fiedler, as Trustee of the Eric P. Fiedler
MD Revocable Trust, and Sunnyrock signed a Stipulation against Liens ("Stipulation)
which waived Plaintiffs right to have file, or maintain any mechanic's lien against
the Property. A true and correct copy of the Stipulation is attached hereto as Exhibit
"A."
36. The Stipulation states affirmatively that Sunnyrock, its subcontractors, and all parties
acting through or under it or them, "expressly waives and relinquishes any right to
have, file, and maintain any mechanic's liens or claims against the said buildings or
any of the improvements."
37. The Stipulation was filed with the Office of the Prothonotary of Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania prior to the commencement of construction, on or about December 9,
2008.
38. Plaintiff contracted with Sunnyrock in or about February 2009.
39. The Stipulation was filed with the Office of the Prothonotary of Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania prior to commencement of the work upon the ground and not less than
ten days prior to the contract between Sunnyrock and Plaintiff.
40. Pursuant to 49 P.S. § 1402 and the Stipulation, Plaintiff has no right to have, file, or
maintain any mechanic's lien or claim against Defendant Fiedler and their Complaint
should therefore be dismissed by this Honorable Court.
NEW MATTER
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO COUNT II- ABSENCE OF CONTRACT
41. Paragraphs 1-40 are hereby incorporated by reference.
42. An action for unjust enrichment lies when a contract is unenforceable due to some
reason such as impossibility, impracticability, or hardship, and a defendant is still
enriched by the actions of the plaintiff such that value should be conferred for the
benefit. AmeriPro Search, Inc. v. Fleming Steel Co., 787 A.2d 988, 991
(Pa.Super.2001) ("A quasi contract, also referred to as a contract implied in law
imposes a duty, not as a result of any agreement, whether express or implied, but in
spite of the absence of an agreement when one party receives an unjust enrichment at
the expense of another.")
43. If there is no initial contract between two parties, an action for unjust enrichment
cannot lie because there is no initial agreement that creates the enrichment.
44. There never existed any agreement or contract between Plaintiff and Defendant
Fiedler.
45. Pursuant to Pennsylvania law, Plaintiff's action for unjust enrichment must fail and so
their Complaint should be dismissed in its entirety.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that this Honorable Court dismiss the
Plaintiff s Complaint in its entirety, including but not limited to its actions for breach of contract
and its action for unjust enrichment, with prejudice.
NEW MATTER
REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY'S FEES
46. Paragraphs 1-41 are hereby incorporated by reference.
47. Pennsylvania law provides that participants shall be entitled to a reasonable counsel
fee as part of the taxable costs of the matter where the attorney fee is awarded
because of the conduct of another party in commencing the matter or otherwise was
arbitrary, vexatious, or in bad faith.42 Pa.C.S.A. § 2503(9).
48. Plaintiff filed a mechanic's lien on the Property on February 12, 2010, with the
Prothonotary's Office in Cumberland County.
49. Plaintiff failed to file a complaint in support of his mechanic's lien within the two (2)
year statutory limit.
50. Any remedy available to Plaintiff was under the Mechanic's Lien Complaint.
51. Plaintiff brings this action only after having missed that deadline.
52. Vexatious litigation may be found if a plaintiff files a suit "without sufficient grounds
in either law or in fact and if the suit served the sole purpose of causing annoyance."
Thunberg v. Strause, 682 A.2d 295, 299-300 (Pa. 1996).
53. It is believed that Plaintiff has filed its Complaint without sufficient grounds in fact
because Plaintiff is well aware that there was no oral contract between the parties and
that all payments to Plaintiff were to be made by Sunnyrock, thus making all
arguments therein said Complaint inherently vexatious.
(Remainder of page intentionally left blank)
WHEREFORE, Defendant Fiedler respectfully requests that this honorable court award
Defendant Fiedler court costs and attorney's fees in addition to the aforementioned request to
dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint with prejudice.
DATE: ) I ._ Z T I 1 2- _
Respectfully submitted,
Craig I. Adler, Esquire
Attorney ID: 52970
P.O. Box 5866
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 233-4101
Attorney for Defendant
DATE:
Paul R. Vaneet, Esquire
Attorney ID: 312135
P.O. Box 5866
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 233-4101
Attorney for Defendant
MARK FREESE ELECTRICIANS, INC. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V. No. 2012-2118 CIVIL
ERIC P. FIEDLER, an adult individual, and
SUNNYROCK BUILDING & DESIGN
LLC, d/b/a SUNNYROCK HOMES
Defendants : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statement made herein are true and correct and understand that false
statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 4904 relating to unsworn
falsification to authorities.
DATE: ?.
Eric Fiedler
MARK FREESE ELECTRICIANS, INC
V.
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
No. 2012-2118 CIVIL
ERIC P. FIEDLER, an adult individual, and
SUNNYROCK BUILDING & DESIGN
LLC, d/b/a SUNNYROCK HOMES
Defendants : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I have, this date, mailed a true and correct copy of the foregoing
pleading by United States mail, first-class, postage prepaid, addressed to the following
individual(s):
Neil W. Yahn, Esquire
James, Smith, Dietterick & Connelly, LLP
P.O. Box 650
Hershey, PA 17036
DATE: ? - z -q - ? Z
Craig I. Adler
EXHIBIT "A"
r. VV1
t, lw. WWI F IED IFIR AND
(-'() ti%LIC 7` COP Qj''?
r??. rte.'- ( T p ?^-? J
^ V
S71PULATION AGAINST LIENS
Eric P. Fiedler, Trustee under the
Eric P. Fiedler, MD Revocable Trust
Agreement,
Owner
v.
?.1
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
:CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYT,vANIA
NO. 0ff-'72,08
Jonathan L. Ruhsam Managing Member and
SunnyRock Building & Design LLC
Contractor
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WHEREAS, Contractor has undertaken and agreed to perform the Construction
on that certain parcel of land situate in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County,
PennsyIvama, described more fully on Exhibit A.
NOW, THEREFORE, TILLS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH: That the said Contractor,
for and in consideration of the sum of One ($1.00) Dollar in band paid to it by Owner, the receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged, and the further consideration mentioned in the agreement
aforesaid, for itself and its subcontractors, and al l parties acting through or under it or them,
covenants and agrees that no mechanic's liens or claims shall be filed or maintained by it or any
of them against the said buildings and the lot of ground appurtenant thereto for or on account of
any work done or materials fim3ished by it or any of them under said contract or otherwise, for,
towards, in or about the Construction of the residence on Lot No. 29, RiverBend, known as 506
Halyard way, on the lot above described, and the said Contactor; for itself, its subcontractors and
others under it hereby expressly waives and relinquishes the right to have, file, and maintain any
mechanic's liens or claims against the said buildings or any of the improvements, and agrees that
this instrument, waiving the right of lien, shall be an independent covenant.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto intending to be legally bound have hereunto
set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
OWNTER(S)
EriP. Fiedler, Trustee
P. 002
n
CONTRACTOR: Sunnyrock Building & Design
LLC:
$y:
L. Ruhsarn. managing Member
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
County of Cumberland
ss
On this, f / t
the day of 1?!P 2M- before me, the undersigned officer,
personally appeared Eric F. Fiedler, Thistee under the Me P. Fiedler, NO Revocable Trust
Agreement (Owner) And Jonathan L. Xiftam, Manging Member of Sunnyrock Building &
Design,, LLC (Contactor), known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the persons whose
names are subscribed to the within i l"Ir meat, and acknowledged that they executed the same in
their capacities as Trustee and Managing Member for the purposes therein contained.
IN VfITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal.
6- Jd?*i-444e
Notary Public
My Commission Expires:
17 f 2-?(
COMMONWEALTH of PENNSYLVANIA
Notarial Sens
Barbara L. $auta * Notary Pubk
.%S*Wrannfl Twp., Dauphin County
W Comrnisa M e0M S Aug. 2a, 2010
Member, Pennsyl is A"odatlor of Notatrin
OC:-01-2009 10:00 CT LAND
RECEIPT FOR PAYMENT
r.
C_.mberlar_d Co;:nty Prothonotary's Office Receipt Date 12/09/20C3
Carlisle, Pa 17013 Receipt Time 14:08:44
Receipt No. 218234
FIEDLER ERIC P TRUSTEE (VS) RtJHSAM JONATHAN L ET AL
Case Number 2008-07200
Received of PD CT L LND, SE'RV1CES CO
Jv
Total Noza-Cash..... + 21.00 Check# 26090Q
Total Cash......... + .00
Change ............. 00
Receipt total...... _ $21.00
------------------------ Distribution Of Payment ----------------------------
Transaction Description Payment Amount
AUTOMATIONFEE' 16-00 CUMBERLAND L CO AU OMATION FUND
$21.00
OCT-01-2009 10:00 CT LAND
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SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Ronny R Anderson
Sheriff
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OFFICE OFT".E SmERIFF
I' : t..:„. 1.1 ' l.' i y F
Tjjc RC? !Cfi C+If',?;'('
Jody S Smith
Chief Deputy
Richard W Stewart
Solicitor
!2 1 AY 24 PM 1: 5
CUM EMLAND COW W/
PEW43YLVANIA
Mark Frese Electricians, Inc. I Case Number
vs. 2012-2118
Sunnyrock Building & Design, LLC
SHERIFF'S RETURN OF SERVICE
04/26/2012 Ronny R. Anderson, Sheriff who being duly sworn according to law states that he made a diligent search
and inquiry for the within named defendant, to wit: Sunnyrock Building & Design, LLC d/b/a Sunnyrock
Homes, but was unable to locate them in his bailiwick. He therefore deputized the Sheriff of York County,
Pennsylvania to serve the within Complaint and Notice according to law.
05/14/2012 Richard P. Keuerleber, Sheriff of York County, who being duly sworn according to law, states that on May
14, 2012, he was unable to serve a true copy of the within Complaint and Notice, upon the within named
defendant, to wit: Sunnyrock Building & Design, LLC. Deputies were unable to effectuate service before
the Complaint and Notice expired.
SHERIFF COST: $37.00
May 22, 2012
(c) CountySuite Sheriff. Teleosoft. Inc.
SO ANSWERS,
RON R ANDERSON, SHERIFF
SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF YORK COUNTY
Richard P Keuerleber PETER J. MANGAN, ESQ.
Sheriff Solicitor
Richard E Rice, II
Reuben B Zeager
Chief Deput Ilk Chief Deputy, Administration
Deputy, Operations
MARK FRESE ELECTRICIANS, INC., Case Number
Vs. 2012-2118 CIVIL
SUNNYROCK BUILDING & DESIGN, LLC, d/b/a SUNNYROCK HOMES
SHERIFF'S RETURN OF SERVICE
05/14/2012 SHERIFF RICHARD P KEUERLEBER, BEING DULY SWORN ACCORDING TO LAW, STATES HE
MADE DILIGENT SEARCH AND INQUIRY FOR THE WITHIN NAMED DEFENDANT TO WIT:
SUNNYROCK BUILDING & DESIGN, LLC, D/B/A SUNNYROCK HOMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO
LOCATE THE DEFENDANT IN HIS BAILIWICK. THE SHERIFF THEREFORE RETURNS THE WITHIN
REQUESTED COMPLAINT IN CIVILACTION (CICA) AS "NOT SERVED" AT 1780 PINETOWN ROAD,
WELLSVILLE, PA 17365.
NOT SERVED BY EXPIRATION DATE.
SHERIFF COST: $38.98
May 16, 2012
RS,
SO
7.2 ::72PLjL?
RICHARD P KEUERLEBER, SHERIFF
COMMOMWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
NOS Sep Public
Sh9ft E. COOK
T,V.. York County
2018
sod
Comte peb. j. 20
of Notarbs
Member, P
NOTARY
Affirmed and subscribed to before me this
16TH day of MAY 2012
ir,`. L'CUnt•d?'!a!i" ut!r.,rifl, ie!?ce;a, inc.