Hayward v Timilty

[2009] NSWDC 54

CITATION:	Hayward v Timilty [2009] NSWDC 54 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.
HEARING DATE(S):	November 2008 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 December 2008 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11
JUDGMENT DATE:	23 January 2009
JURISDICTION:	Civil
JUDGMENT OF:	Williams DCJ
DECISION:	The plaintiffs have been substantially unsuccessful in their claim. Likewise, except for the matters on the Scott Schedules the builder has been substantially successful. There will therefore be a verdict for plaintiff on the plaintiff’s claim against the builder to the extent of any adjustment needed to be made by the schedules and a verdict for the builder on the builder’s cross-claim against the plaintiff again, subject to the schedules and what I have said in paragraph 157.
CATCHWORDS:	BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION - Home Building Act - interpretation - enforceability - validity of contract - costs plus contract - fixed price contract - "estimate" meaning of - "quote" meaning of - quantum meruit - false and misleading conduct - civil fraud
LEGISLATION CITED:	Trade Practices Act 1974 Fair Trading Act 1987 Contracts Review Act 1980 Home Building Act 1989. Evidence Act
CASES CITED:	Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Paxu Pty Ltd 1982 149 CR 191 Palmer –v– Dolman 2005 NSWCA 361 Broadshaw –v–McEvans P/L (1951) 217 ALR 1 Neat Holdings P/L –v–Karajan Holding P/L (1992) 67 ALJR 170 Winterton Constructions P/L –v–Hambros Australia P/L (1992) 39 FCR97 Pavey and Mathews P/l –v– Paul (1986) 162 CLR 221 Horton –v– James (1934) 34 SR (NSW) 368 Coshott and Anor v Fewings Joinery Pty Ltd [1996] NSWCA 122 Sunvara Pty Ltd v Williams [2001] NSWSC 433 McGrath and Another v Australian Naturalcare Products Pty Ltd [2008] FCAFC 2 Yorke –v– Lucas (1985) CLR 661 Marks –v– GIO Australia Holdings Ltd (1998 196 CLR 494 ASX Operations P/L –v– Pont Data Australia P/L (1991) 27 FCR 492 Trimis –v– Mina (1999) NSWCA 140 Update Constructions P/L v Rozelle Child Care Centre (1990) 20 NSWLR 251 Flett v Deniliquin Publishing Co Ltd (1964-1965 NSWR 383 Cooks Constructions P/L –v– Stork Food Sytems Aust P/L 2008 QSC 179 Way –v– Latilla 1937 3 ALLER 759 Kane Constructions P/L –v– Sopov (2005) VSC 37 Kane Constructions –v –Sopov No 2 2005 VSL 492 Gray (Constructions) P/L –v– Hogan 2000 NSWCA 26 Mohammed –v– Local Court of NSW and Sleiman 2008 NSWSC 949 Brenner –v– First Artists Management P/L 1993 2VR 22
TEXTS CITED:	Laws of Australia Part C Unenforceable and Void Contract at [144]
PARTIES:	Deidre Hayward Stephen Hayward StephenTimilty S J Timilty Building Pty Ltd
FILE NUMBER(S):	280/07
COUNSEL:	Plaintiff: Mr I George Defendant: Mr S Docker
SOLICITORS:	Plaintiff: Howard S. Charles & Co. Defendant: Kemp Strang Lawyers.

1. The plaintiffs, Mr and Ms Hayward, are the owners of a house (the property). The Defendants are respectively a builder and his building company who undertook renovations at the property in 2004. Unless otherwise indicated I will refer…