ÿWPCÅ  ­óåëC %ÚP¦ Gâ&¢ Nºk Ã7ûÞV—‚_D¥=+~ + \•ÛÁzv¢u.—’/Œ4Á¬™·Ï>HvrÛDÀrR=ž¾Rb°_¡(šè‡&?š­î{»@ìJȧÁþŠûÙ$”à nLÐÃWÍfü+‡Aˆù©)„ $[Š$€z‹Úú® œù~’“ø} r+¿™q:w r}U\øŸ‰~&‹Ý_.jí‚û$ä‡aÄfÀó1© ™&¯ö àŸƒØÁœÑ6xc¹Ý?”3œ‰xцå´,;Vg¢o´‡5¨Å<¡B‰ÀõŒE~ß…SÈ8"¹Ï jÌa” ÚTõ$‚äÔr£ý‡Ò8שúA1†8s¬±På? %3ÿüPÿë«l5}+Û…€œVñ·¯h÷;) íÚæÈ¨ðhX¨phl sÛ-øíJ–÷´Ò(y€–kvpÙQ°“Wž.$PC,ò4Ê`\V–A³žrJyŠ«Y¡¢#z “ {çÚj5fŠM¼ŒRóK.¡ì~æWس9¢ðóL2ò¹ áL øÑãËFŽ(h%(ßKöÙéx(Mkþ!¨@=Ëí¥C­tøûãøb`#!@UNa %¯ 0:µU8ï^ ' w3 4O c r mt UB‹ Í EÕ 0~ 0D˜ AQÜ !- NN N áP  1H=U:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… B¿ÆÜ 0V¢ 0Vø 0DNN D3’˜HP LaserJet 8000 DN PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ô<4šÛ 9Z+‹ Courier New J¬'L {EtpO'p} œ3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ&@FБZ‹*CaslonOpnface BT   ;Ý ƒÄ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôì òXXÔÔ€ôÈÓ ò òôìÔFrost€denies€that€he€showed€Ô_ÔMr.Ô_Ô€Duncan€this€one„page€estimate,€butÐ P  ÐDuncan€testified€to€the€contrary.(.(3Ä($¤¤Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóZ[\]_Cþÿ<<Cÿÿ Ñ  ÑÑ P Ñ ×Ý ƒÄ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡XjøXXXÔÔ‡ôÈÓ òXXjøÔDuncan€hired€another€crew€to€fix€the€defects€in€the€work€performed€byÐ P  ÐFrost€Construction€and€to€complete€the€renovations€of€the€building.€€The€totalÐ  ° Ðcost€to€complete€the€renovations€was€$529,026.10.Ô#†XjøX òôÈÓ„#ÔÔ#†Xé¸XXXjøe#Ô Ý ƒÄ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€XjøXXXÔÔ€ôÈÓ òXXjøÔAs€to€whether€an€objection€to€inadmissible€parol€evidence€is€necessaryÐ P  Ðto€raise€the€parol€evidence€rule,€see€òòò òTri„Cities€Ô_ÔForliftÔ_Ô€Co.€v.€Ô_ÔConasaugaÔ_ÔÐ  ° ÐRiver€Lumber€Coó óóó.,€700€S.W.2d€548,€549€(Ô_ÔTenn.Ct.AppÔ_Ô.€1985). >Ý ƒ[½Þ"ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€X²€XXXÔÔ€èypçXX²€ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€!¥çèypÔÐ  ÐÌDecember€29,€1999ÌÌCecil€Ô_ÔCrowsonÔ_Ô,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAŠÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular dƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(.3½Þ$¢¢Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý(.3½Þ$££Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óYYYY'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€X"BXXXÔÓ  ÓÑ8€6XXdìdÈ8ÑÑ€4YÑÔ_ÔññññfññññññññFeññññcÐ ° ÐññññINÔ_Ô€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐÔ_Ôßx€_B2.jzþ“ `€€@ÿE©Žtt¨¦á† éxßÔ_ÔÌAT€KNOXVILLEÌÌ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ÌÌÌÓ°ÓÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à€Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à€E1998„00535„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€ÌJERRY€DUNCAN€FORD,€INC.,à h àà À à€)€C/A€NO.€03A01„9808„CH„00266Ð  \  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ìà  àà ` àPlaintiff„Appellee,à À à€)Ð ¸  Ðv.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ð ŽÞ  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)ÌJ.€ROY€FROST€d/b/a€FROST€à À à€)Ð `  ÐCONSTRUCTION€COMPANY,à h àà À à€)Ð æ6 Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ìà  àà ` àDefendant„Appellant.€)Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)ÌJ.€ROY€FROST€d/b/a€FROSTà h àà À à€)Ð d ÐCONSTRUCTION€COMPANY,à h àà À à€)Ð ê: Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ìà  àà ` àPlaintiff„Appellant,€)Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ìv.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ð B’ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)€APPEAL€AS€OF€RIGHT€FROM€THEÌJERRY€DUNCAN€FORD,€INC.,à h àà À à€)€Ô_ÔROANEÔ_Ô€COUNTY€CHANCERY€COURTÐ î> Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ìà  àà ` àDefendant„Appellee.à À à€)Ð šê Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)ÌCUSTOMER€SERVICE€ELECTRICà À à€)Ð !l" ÐSUPPLY,€INC.,à ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ð ò!B# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ìà  àà ` àPlaintiff„Appellant,€)Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ìv.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ð J%š ' Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)ÌJERRY€DUNCAN€FORD,€INC.,à h àà À à€)Ð ö&F") ÐJ.€ROY€FROST€d/b/a€FROST€à À à€)Ð Ì'#* ÐCONSTRUCTION€CO.,€M.€JERRY€à À à€)Ð ¢(ò#+ ÐDUNCAN€and€wife,€JUDY€C.à h àà À à€)Ð x)È$, ÐDUNCAN,à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)Ð N*ž%- Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€)€HONORABLE€FRANK€V.€WILLIAMS,€IIIÌà  àà ` àDefendants„Appellees.)€CHANCELLORÌÌÌFor€Appellant€Frostà  àà h àà À à€€€For€Appellees€Jerry€Duncan€Ford,Ð |.Ì)2 Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€Inc.,€M.€Jerry€Duncan€and€JudyÏWILSON€S.€RITCHIEà  àà h àà À à€€€C.€DuncanÐ (0x+4 ÐWALTER€B.€JOHNSON,€IIÌRitchie€&€Johnson,€PLCà h àà À à€€€J.€POLK€COOLEYÐ Ô1$-6 ÐKnoxville,€Tennesseeà h àà À à€€€JENNIFER€E.€Ô_ÔRABYÔ_ÔÐ ª2ú-7 Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€Cooley,€Cooley€&€AgeeÌFor€Appellant€Customer€Service€€€Rockwood,€TennesseeÌElectric€Supply,€Inc.ÌÌWILLIAM€A.€Ô_ÔNEWCOMBÔ_ÔÌHarriman,€TennesseeÌÌÌÐ 0:€5@ ÐÑ4YÑâ âÑ  ÑÑP °Ñâ âÑ  ÑÔ_ÔÔ‡ Xÿ+XXX"BÔÔ‡  Oô !X Xÿ+ÔÓ  ÓO€P€I€N€I€O€NÔ#† Xÿ+X ! Oôy#ÔÔ#†X"BXX Xÿ+Z#ÔÐ P  ÐÓÿÓÌÌAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDò òó óà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àSusano,€J.Ð : ê ÐÓÓà  àà ` àThis€case€is€a€consolidation€of€three€breach€ofÐ À Ðcontract€actions,€each€of€which€arose€out€of€disputes€regardingÐ ¼l Ðmajor€renovations€and€additions€to€a€commercial€building€inÐ h ÐHarriman€housing€an€automobile€dealership€owned€by€Jerry€DuncanÐ Ä  ÐFord,€Inc.€(ð ðJerry€Duncan€Fordðð).€€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€filed€anÐ Àp  Ðaction€against€the€general€contractor€in€charge€of€the€project,Ð l  ÐJ.€Roy€Frost,€doing€business€as€Frost€Construction€CompanyÐ È  Ð(ð ðFrostðð),€after€terminating€Frostððs€services€because€ofÐ Ät Ðunsatisfactory€performance.€€Frost€in€turn€filed€an€actionÐ p  Ðagainst€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€for€breach€of€contract.€€The€thirdÐ Ì Ðaction€was€filed€by€Customer€Service€Electric€Supply,€Inc.Ð Èx Ð(ð ðCustomer€Serviceðð),€against€Jerry€Duncan€Ford,€Frost,€M.€JerryÐ t $ ÐDuncan€(ð ðMr.€Duncanðð),€and€Judy€C.€Duncan€(ð ðJudy€Duncanðð),Ð  "Ð Ðseeking€payment€for€certain€exterior€light€fixtures€that€it€hadÐ Ì#| Ðinstalled€at€the€dealership.€€After€a€bench€trial,€the€courtÐ x%(  Ðawarded€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€damages€reflecting€the€differenceÐ $'Ô" Ðbetween€the€total€cost€of€the€construction€and€$313,200,€aÐ Ð(€$ Ðð ðceilingðð€that€„„€as€found€by€the€trial€court€„„€Frost€hadÐ |*, & Ðguaranteed.€€The€trial€court€also€awarded€Customer€ServiceÐ (,Ø!( Ðdamages€against€Frost,€but€denied€the€formerððs€request€for€aÐ Ô-„#* Ðjudgment€against€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€and€the€Ô_ÔDuncansÔ_Ô.€€FrostÐ €/0%, Ðappeals,€raising€the€following€issues€for€our€consideration:Ð ,1Ü&. ÐÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€admittingÐ „44*2 Ðparol€evidence€to€vary€the€terms€of€theÐ Z5 +3 Ðwritten€contract?Ð06à+4` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à2.€€Does€the€evidence€preponderate€againstÐ Ü7Œ-6 Ðthe€finding€of€an€oral€agreement€of€aÐ ²8b.7 Ðguaranteed€maximum€price?Ј98/8` x` x ÐÐ ^:09 Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à3.€€Is€Frost,€rather€than€Jerry€Duncan€Ford,Ð P  Ðentitled€to€breach€of€contract€damages€due€toÐ & Ö Ðthe€dealershipððs€failure€to€give€Frost€noticeÐ ü ¬ Ðand€an€opportunity€to€cure€any€defects€inÐ Ò ‚ Ðconstruction?€Ð¨ X` x` x ÐÓÓÌÌCustomer€Service€appeals€the€trial€courtððs€dismissal€of€itsÐ Ö†  Ðcomplaint€against€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€and€the€Ô_ÔDuncansÔ_Ô.Ð ‚2  ÐÓ… ÓÓÓÌÓ  ÓI.Ð ÚŠ  ÐÓ‚!ÓÌà  àà ` àIn€December,€1995,€the€Ô_ÔDuncansÔ_Ô,€as€owners€and€corporateÐ 2â Ðofficers€of€Jerry€Duncan€Ford,€discussed€with€Frost€theÐ ÞŽ Ðpossibility€of€doing€major€renovations€and€additions€to€theÐ Š: Ðdealershipððs€building.€€Upon€Frostððs€recommendation,€Mr.€DuncanÐ 6æ Ðcontacted€Randy€Denton€(ð ðDentonðð),€an€engineer,€who,€afterÐ â ’ Ðmeeting€with€Mr.€Duncan€and€Frost,€drafted€a€floorplan€detailingÐ Ž"> Ðthe€plans€for€the€anticipated€work.€€Ð :$ê ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€early€January,€1996,€Frost€gave€Mr.€Duncan€a€one„Ð ’'B# Ðpage€estimate€showing€the€projected€cost€of€the€construction€toÐ >)î% Ðbe€$100,136.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€Mr.€Duncan€reviewed€this€estimate€but€noted€thatÐ ê*š ' Ðit€did€not€reflect€everything€that€he€wanted€done.€€Mr.€DuncanÐ –,F") Ðtold€Frost€that€he€wanted€a€list€of€everything€that€was€to€beÐ B.ò#+ Ðdone€and€what€each€item€would€cost.€€On€January€20,€1996,€FrostÐ î/ž%- Ðmet€with€the€Duncans€at€their€home€and€gave€them€a€revisedÐ š1J'/ Ðestimate.€€The€four„page€document€shows€detailed€costs€for€theÐ F3ö(1 Ðconstruction,€€including€the€cost€of€(1)€building€a€new€serviceÐ ò4¢*3 Ðbuilding€and€new€office€area;€(2)€remodeling€of€the€showroom€andÐ ž6N,5 Ðthe€existing€office€area;€(3)€remodeling€of€the€exterior;€and€(4)Ð P  Ðmiscellaneous€items,€such€as€pouring€concrete€slabs,€renovatingÐ ü ¬ Ðrestrooms,€patching€the€asphalt€of€the€parking€lot,€and€replacingÐ ¨ X Ðthe€exterior€lights.€€For€each€renovation€phase€described,€FrostÐ T Ðincluded€a€subtotal€reflecting€the€addition€of€ten€percent€of€theÐ ° Ðestimated€cost€for€profit€and€overhead€and€2.5%€of€the€estimatedÐ ¬\  Ðcost€for€workersðð€compensation€and€liability€insurance.€€EveryÐ X  Ðpage€is€signed€by€Frost€and€dated€January€20,€1996.€€The€lastÐ ´  Ðpage€contains€the€line:€ð ðtotal€projected€cost€for€completeÐ °`  Ðproject:€$313,200.ðð€€The€trial€court€found€that,€at€the€JanuaryÐ \  Ð20,€1996,€meeting,€Frost€orally€guaranteed€Ók!ÓÓ.ÓOn€July€24,€1996,€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€filed€a€complaintÐ ¸!h Ðagainst€Frost€for€breach€of€contract.€€On€the€same€day,€FrostÐ d# Ðfiled€a€complaint€against€Jerry€Duncan€Ford,€also€alleging€aÐ %À  Ðbreach€of€contract.€€On€April€21,€1997,€Customer€Service€filed€aÐ ¼&l" Ðcomplaint€against€Jerry€Duncan€Ford,€Frost,€Mr.€Duncan,€and€JudyÐ h($ ÐDuncan,€seeking€payment€for€the€exterior€light€fixtures.€€AllÐ *Ä& Ðthree€actions€were€subsequently€consolidated€for€trial,€a€trialÐ À+p!( Ðwhich€extended€over€seven€days€of€testimony.Ð l-#* ÐÓG+ÓÓÓÌà  àà ` àAt€the€conclusion€of€the€proof,€the€trial€court€madeÐ Ä0t&. Ðfindings,€including€the€following:Ð p2 (0 ÐÌÓâIÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMr.€Frost€admits€that€Mr.€Duncan€was€upsetÐ È5x+4 Ðabout€the€progress€and€the€quality€of€theÐ ž6N,5 Ðwork€being€performed€in€the€dealership.€€HeÐ t7$-6 Ðsays€that€Mr.€Duncan€came€to€where€he€wasÐ J8ú-7 Ðworking€on€the€Rocky€Top€Market.Ð 9Ð.8` x` x ÐÐ ö9¦/9 Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àHe€claims€that€Mr.€Duncan€had€his€fistÐ P  Ðclenched€and€told€him€to€spend€more€time€onÐ & Ö Ðthe€job€or€just€get€his€men€off€the€job.€Ð ü ¬ ÐOthers€apparently€sent€requests€for€Frost€toÐ Ò ‚ Ðcome€to€the€job,€but€he€apparently,€otherÐ ¨ X Ðthan€his€early€morning€visits,€did€not€do€so.Ð~.` x` x ÐÌÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMr.€Frost€does€admit€ð!ð„€does€not€admit,€butÐ ° Ðthe€Court€finds,€that€the€work€was€notÐ Ö†  Ðprogressing€properly.€€The€work€wasÐ ¬\  Ðprogressing€slowly,€and€some€defectiveÐ ‚2  Ðworkmanship€was€showing€up.€€Had€Mr.€FrostÐ X  Ðbeen€on€the€job€more€of€the€time,€some€ofÐ .Þ  Ðthis€could€have€been€avoided.д ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTime€sheets€clearly€show€that€Mr.€Frost,Ð °`  Ðafter€the€first€few€months,€spent€very€littleÐ †6 Ðtime€at€the€dealership.€€He€may€have€come€byÐ \  Ðearly€in€the€morning€to€give€instructions€forÐ 2â Ðthe€day,€but€Mr.€Frost€could€have€avoidedÐ ¸ Ðmuch€of€these€problems€by€giving€his€personalÐ ÞŽ Ðattention€to€the€actual€performance€of€theÐ ´d Ðwork,€and€the€Court€feels€that€this€is€not,Ð Š: Ðper€se,€a€breach€of€the€contract€but€isÐ ` Ðrelated€to€the€plaintiffððs€complaint€that€theÐ 6æ Ðwork€was€being€improperly€supervised,€was€notÐ  ¼ Ðmaking€reasonable€progress,€and€that€someÐ â ’ Ðdefects€in€the€workmanship€were€resulting.Ó2€Óи!h` x` x ÐÓÔRÓÓÓÌÓSÓÓÓà  àà ` àThe€trial€court€held€that€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€wasÐ %À  Ðentitled€to€recover€$215,826.10,€the€difference€between€theÐ ¼&l" Ðguaranteed€maximum€price€of€$313,200€and€the€total€cost€expendedÐ h($ Ðby€the€dealership€on€the€renovations€and€additions.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€courtÐ *Ä& Ðthen€reduced€this€amount€by€$25,000,€to€reflect€work€that€theÐ À+p!( Ðcourt€determined€was€not€reasonably€necessary€to€remedy€theÐ l-#* Ðexisting€problems€and€for€work€done€in€excess€of€the€originalÐ /È$, Ðcontract.€€The€trial€court€also€awarded€breach€of€contractÐ Ä0t&. Ðdamages€to€Customer€Service€against€Frost€in€the€amount€ofÐ p2 (0 Ð$24,856.53,€plus€attorneyððs€fees€of€$8,285.51.€Because€CustomerÐ 4Ì)2 ÐService€had€failed€to€prove€the€reasonable€value€of€the€lightÐ È5x+4 Ðfixtures€in€order€to€establish€a€claim€for€òòquantum€meruitóó,€theÐ P  Ðtrial€court€dismissed€its€action€against€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€andÐ  ¸ Ðthe€Duncans.€Ð ´ d ÐÐ  ` ÐÓ  ÓII.Ð P  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àà ` àIn€this€non„jury€case,€our€review€is€òòde€novoóó€upon€theÐ ¨ X Ðrecord,€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€as€to€the€trial€courtððsÐ ` Ðfactual€determinations,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidenceÐ  ¼ Ðis€otherwise.€€Rule€13(d),€T.R.A.P.;€ò òòòUnion€Carbide€Corp.€v.Ð ¸h  ÐHuddleston,ó óóó€854€S.W.2d€87,€91€(Tenn.€1993).€€The€trial€courtððsÐ „4  Ðconclusions€of€law,€however,€are€accorded€no€such€presumption.€Ð P  Ðò òòòCampbell€v.€Florida€Steel€Corp.,ó óóó€919€S.W.2d€26,€35€(Tenn.€1996).Ð ü¬  ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€also€note€that€the€trial€court€is€in€the€bestÐ t$ Ðposition€to€assess€the€credibility€of€the€witnesses;€therefore,Ð  Ð Ðsuch€determinations€are€entitled€to€great€weight€on€appeal.€Ð Ì| Ðò òòòMassengale€v.€Massengale,ó óóó€915€S.W.2d€818,€819€(Tenn.Ct.App.Ð x ( Ð1995);€ò òòòBowman€v.€Bowman,ó óóó€836€S.W.2d€563,€566€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1991).€Ð D"ô ÐIn€fact,€this€court€has€noted€thatÐ $À ÐÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àon€an€issue€which€hinges€on€witnessÐ h'" Ðcredibility,€[the€trial€court]€will€not€beÐ >(î# Ðreversed€unless,€other€than€the€oralÐ )Ä$ Ðtestimony€of€the€witnesses,€there€is€found€inÐ ê)š% Ðthe€record€clear,€concrete€and€convincingÐ À*p & Ðevidence€to€the€contrary.ÓË\ÓЖ+F!'` x` x ÐÌò òòòTennessee€Valley€Kaolin€Corp.€v.€Perry,ó óóó€526€S.W.2d€488,€490Ð î.ž$+ Ð(Tenn.Ct.App.€1974).Ð º0j&- ÐÌÓ  ÓIII.Ð 4Â)1 ÐÌÓ  Óà  àà ` àThe€first€issue€raised€by€Frost€is€that€the€trial€courtÐ j7-5 Ðerred€in€admitting€parol€evidence€to€vary€the€terms€of€theÐ 9Æ.7 Ðwritten€contract€between€Frost€and€Jerry€Duncan€Ford.€€The€trialÐ P  Ðcourt,€in€its€oral€remarks€after€closing€argument,€made€aÐ ü ¬ Ðspecific€finding€that€the€contract€between€the€parties€consistedÐ ¨ X Ðof€the€floorplan€and€the€four„page€estimate€(ð ðestimateðð€orÐ T Ðð ðExhibit€8")€drafted€by€Frost.€€Later€in€its€remarks,€the€trialÐ ° Ðcourt€referred€only€to€the€estimate€as€the€written€contract.€€TheÐ ¬\  Ðtrial€court€stated€that€Ð X  ÐÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[Ô_Ôo]nÔ_Ô€the€face€of€the€writing,€there€isÐ °`  Ðnothing€ambiguous€about€it.€€It€is€clear€andÐ †6 Ðunambiguous.€€The€figures€set€out€wereÐ \  Ðplainly€estimates€or€projected€costs.€€TheÐ 2â Ðwritten€contract€purports€to€contain€all€ofÐ ¸ Ðthe€terms€upon€which€the€work€was€to€beÐ ÞŽ Ðperformed€by€the€defendant€Frost.€Ð´d` x` x ÐÓ  ÓÌà @ àà8 @` àà8@¸ ` x` xàà8@¸ ¸ à*€€€€€*€€€€€*Ð ` ÐÓdÓÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àHowever,€in€this€case€both€parties,€allÐ  ¼ Ðparties€have€offered€without€objection,€and€IÐ â ’ Ðwant€to€repeat€that€because€I€think€itððsÐ ¸!h Ðimportant,€without€objection,€extensiveÐ Ž"> Ðparole€[sic]€evidence€bearing€directly€uponÐ d# Ðthe€terms€of€the€contract,€some€of€which€haveÐ :$ê Ðthe€effect€of€adding€additional€andÐ %À  Ðconflicting€terms€to€the€contract,€ExhibitÐ æ%–! ÐNo.€8.м&l"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€other€words,€this€case€was€tried€as€if€theÐ h($ Ðparole€[sic]€evidence€rule€was€not€applicableÐ >)î% Ðwith€oral€testimony€being€elicited€from€allÐ *Ä& Ðparties€about€conversations€and€consequentlyÐ ê*š ' Ðagreements€which€tend€to€vary€the€plain€andÐ À+p!( Ðunambiguous€language€of€Exhibit€No.€8.Ж,F")` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€evidence€then€as€submitted€to€the€CourtÐ B.ò#+ Ðraises€no€issue€about€the€application€of€theÐ /È$, Ðparole€[sic]€evidence€rule€and€simply€leavesÐ î/ž%- Ðit€to€the€Court€to€weigh€the€evidence,Ð Ä0t&. Ðincluding€the€oral€testimony,€for€the€purposeÐ š1J'/ Ðof€determining€the€agreement€of€the€parties.ÓbÓÐp2 (0` x` x ÐÌThe€trial€court€proceeded€to€examine€the€testimony€concerning€theÐ È5x+4 Ðâ âagreement€between€the€parties€and€in€so€doing€determined€thatÐ t7$-6 ÐFrost€had€guaranteed€that€the€cost€of€the€project€would€notÐ P  Ðexceed€$313,200.ò òòòó óóóÐ ü ¬ Ðâ âÌà  àà ` àIn€order€to€determine€whether€the€testimony€regardingÐ T ÐFrostððs€alleged€guarantee€was€properly€admitted,€we€must€firstÐ ° Ðdetermine€whether€the€parol€evidence€rule€applies€to€the€facts€ofÐ ¬\  Ðthis€case.Ð X  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€parole€evidence€rule€provides€that€extraneousÐ °`  Ðevidence€is€not€admissible€to€alter,€vary€or€qualify€the€terms€ofÐ \  Ðan€unambiguous€òòwritten€contractóó.€€ò òòòGRW€Enterprises,€Inc.€v.€Davis,ó óóóÐ ¸ Ð797€S.W.2d€606,€610€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1990).€€Thus,€the€rule€does€notÐ Ô„ Ðexclude€parol€evidence€where€the€agreement€between€the€parties€isÐ €0 Ðitself€an€òòoralóó€òòcontractóó.€Ð , Ü ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€find€that€the€four„page€estimate€is€just€that,€anÐ #@ Ðòòestimateóó.€€Significantly,€each€page€is€signed€by€Frost,€òòbut€noneÐ <%ì  Ðof€the€four€pages€are€signed€by€or€on€behalf€of€Jerry€DuncanÐ ô&¤" ÐFord,€or€the€Ô_ÔDuncansÔ_Ô€or€any€of€the€three€of€themóó.€€While€theÐ ¬(\$ Ðfour„page€estimate€is€clearly€an€offer€by€Frost€to€undertake€theÐ d* & Ðsubject€project,€there€is€nothing€in€the€document€to€indicate€anÐ ,À!( Ðacceptance€by€anyone.€€Therefore,€we€find€that€the€four„pageÐ ¼-l#* Ðestimate€is€only€a€òòpartóó€of€the€contract€between€the€parties.€€AÐ h/%, Ðcontract€that€is€partly€in€writing€and€partly€oral€is€treated€asÐ  1Ð&. Ðan€oral€contract.€€ò òòòMyers€v.€Taylor,ó óóó€64€S.W.€719,€720€(Tenn.Ð Ì2|(0 Ð1901).€€In€such€a€case,€both€the€writing€and€the€parol€testimonyÐ ˜4H*2 Ðare€competent€evidence€of€the€entire€agreement€of€the€parties.€Ð D6ô+4 Ðòòò òId.ó óóó€ò òòòó óóó€It€is€evident€from€the€parol€testimony€presented€at€trialÐ ð7 -6 Ðthat€essential€terms€of€the€partiesðð€agreement€„„€such€as€JerryÐ ¼9l/8 ÐDuncan€Fordððs€acceptance;€the€date€of€commencement€of€work;€theÐ P  Ðmethod€of€paying€for€and€selecting€materials;€the€anticipatedÐ ü ¬ Ðdate€of€substantial€completion;€the€method€for€making€changeÐ ¨ X Ðorders€and€the€like€ð!ð„€were€not€reduced€to€writing.€€The€estimateÐ T Ðmerely€lists€the€areas€of€the€dealership€to€be€renovated,€the€newÐ ° Ðareas€to€be€constructed,€and€the€projected€cost€for€each€phase€ofÐ ¬\  Ðthe€work.€€If€in€fact€the€estimate€constituted€the€ð ðwrittenÐ X  Ðcontractðð€between€the€parties,€the€contract€would€fail€for€a€lackÐ ´  Ðof€definiteness€because€it€does€not€sufficiently€define€theÐ °`  Ðessential€terms€of€the€partiesðð€understandings.€€òòSeeóó€ò òòòPeoples€BankÐ \  Ðof€Elk€Valley€v.€ConAgra€Poultry€Co.,ó óóó€832€S.W.2d€550,€553Ð (Ø Ð(Tenn.Ct.App.€1991).€The€testimony€presented€to€the€trial€courtÐ ô¤ Ðwas€properly€admitted,€not€because€the€parties€waived€applicationÐ  P Ðof€the€parol€evidence€rule,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€but€because€the€testimony€concernedÐ L ü Ðthe€formation€of€the€partiesðð€oral€contract€and€the€termsÐ ø!¨ Ðthereof.€€Ð ¤#T ÐÌà  àà ` àHaving€determined€that€the€testimony€regarding€theÐ ü&¬" Ðpartiesðð€agreement€was€properly€considered€by€the€trial€court,€weÐ ¨(X$ Ðnow€address€Frostððs€argument€that€the€evidence€preponderatesÐ T* & Ðagainst€the€trial€courtððs€finding€of€a€guaranteed€price.€€FrostÐ ,°!( Ðcontends€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€a€finding€of€aÐ ¬-\#* Ðguaranteed€price€because€(1)€his€version€of€the€conversation€isÐ X/%, Ðcorroborated€by€the€ð ðwritten€contractðð;€and€(2)€the€partiesððÐ 1´&. Ðconduct€was€not€consistent€with€a€contract€for€a€guaranteedÐ °2`(0 Ðmaximum€price.€€Ð \4 *2 ÐÐ 6¸+4 Ðà  àà ` àThe€trial€court€was€presented€with€the€testimony€of€Mr.Ð P  ÐDuncan,€Judy€Duncan,€and€Frost€regarding€their€discussions€onÐ ü ¬ ÐJanuary€20,€1996,€the€date€on€which€the€partiesðð€basic€agreementÐ ¨ X Ðwas€struck.€€The€parties€each€testified€to€their€version€of€theÐ T Ðconversation€that€ensued€when€Frost€presented€the€Duncans€withÐ ° Ðthe€estimate€for€$313,200.€€Mr.€Duncan€testified€as€follows:Ð ¬\  ÐÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€asked€Roy,€I€said,€Roy,€can€you€build€thisÐ ´  Ðbuilding€the€way€we€want€it€here€for€thisÐ ÚŠ  Ðamount€of€money?€€He€said,€yes,€I€can.а` ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€said,€we€didnððt€anticipate€spending€thisÐ \  Ðmuch€money.€€And€I€told€him,€I€said,€butÐ 2â Ðthings€always€run€a€little€more€than€what€youÐ ¸ Ðanticipate.€€And€he€said€yes.€€And€I€said€IÐ ÞŽ Ðwanted€to€spend€$300,000€on€doing€theÐ ´d Ðbuilding.Њ:` x` x Ðà  àÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àHe€said,€Jerry,€he€said,€I€donððt€think€I€canÐ 6æ Ðdo€that€for€300,000,€but€Iððll€tell€you€what€IÐ  ¼ Ðwill€do.€€He€said,€Iððll€try€to€get€you€outÐ â ’ Ðfor€300,000,€but€I€will€guarantee€you€that€itÐ ¸!h Ðwill€not€exceed€313,200.ÐŽ">` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAnd€I€said€at€that€point,€I€said€to€him,€now,Ð :$ê ÐRoy,€I€said,€how€are€you€going€to€do€theÐ %À  Ðbuying€and€so€on€and€so€forth?€€He€said,€youÐ æ%–! Ðall€can€buy€anywhere€you€want€to€as€long€asÐ ¼&l" Ðwe€agree€on€it.€€He€said,€Iððll€give€JudyÐ ’'B# Ðbudgeted€amounts€to€spend€in€certain€areas.€Ð h($ ÐAnd€I€said,€well,€I€understand€that.Ð>)î%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAnd€he€said€again€that€he€would€build€aÐ ê*š ' Ðbuilding€that€we€would€be€proud€of.€€And€IÐ À+p!( Ðsaid,€are€you€sure€you€can€build€thisÐ –,F") Ðbuilding€for€three„thirteen„two?€€Oh,€yes,€heÐ l-#* Ðsaid,€I€try€to€figure€my€jobs€a€little€high;Ð B.ò#+ ÐIððd€rather€come€in€a€little€high€as€to€comeÐ /È$, Ðin€low€and€then€have€to€go€up€on€the€person.Ðî/ž%-` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAnd€at€that€time€I€said€to€him,€I€said,€well,Ð š1J'/ ÐRoy,€sign€this€right€here.€€And€we€wereÐ p2 (0 Ðsitting€at€the€bar€at€the€house.ÐF3ö(1` x` x ÐÓ ~ÓÌJudy€Duncan€then€testified€as€follows:Ð È5x+4 ÐÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àOkay.€€Going€back€to€the€discussionsÐ  9Ð.8 Ðthat€you€and€Mr.€Duncan€had€with€Mr.€Frost€onÐ ö9¦/9 ÐJanuary€the€20th,€was€there€any€discussion€asÐ P  Ðto€the€contract€price,€the€entire€contractÐ & Ö Ðprice?Ðü ¬` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àYes,€very€much€so,€because€Jerry€and€IÐ ¨ X Ðhad€talked€privately€about€what€we€felt€likeÐ ~. Ðwe€could€do.€€And€when€Mr.€Frost€came€backÐ T Ðwith€the€price€that€was€somewhat€over€311€orÐ *Ú Ð312,000€or€300€or€311,000€or€whatever,€JerryÐ ° Ðkept€reiterating€ð!ð„€and€I€said€to€him€ð!ð„€IÐ Ö†  Ðsaid€to€Mr.€Frost€the€same€thing,€that€weÐ ¬\  Ðreally€wanted€to€stretch€that€out€for€theÐ ‚2  Ð300,000.€€And€Mr.€Frost€replied€to€me€thatÐ X  Ðð ðWhen€I€am€doing€a€project€contract,€writingÐ .Þ  Ðout€a€project€and€figuring€a€projectÐ ´  Ðcontract,€I€always€figure€those€high€becauseÐ ÚŠ  ÐI€always€like€to€come€in€low€on€my€contracts.€Ð °`  ÐThat€has€just€always€been€my€technique.ðð€€SoÐ †6 Ðhe€said,€ð ðI€feel€like€that€we€have€room€hereÐ \  Ðthat€we€can€very€well€come€in€within€theÐ 2â Ð300,000€or€below€that.ðð€€So,€then,€I€talkedÐ ¸ Ðto€him€about€lighting.€€And€ð!ð„€ÐÞŽ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àWait.€€Was€there€in€that€price,€thatÐ Š: Ð$313,200,€was€there€any€discussion€about€theÐ ` Ðsupervision€of€the€job€and,€if€so,€can€youÐ 6æ Ðdescribe€the€substance€of€thoseÐ  ¼ Ðconversations?Ðâ ’` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà8¸ ¸ àà8hÈÈà*à À à*à  à*ÐŽ">hphp ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àWhat€Mr.€Frost€said€to€us€over€and€overÐ :$ê Ðand€reiterated€to€us€is€that€he€took€greatÐ %À  Ðpride€in€his€work,€that€he€was€in€a€positionÐ æ%–! Ðthat€he€could€be€on€our€job€continuallyÐ ¼&l" Ðbecause€he€did€not€have€another€job€at€thatÐ ’'B# Ðtime,€and€that€he€would€see€to€it€thatÐ h($ Ðeverything€was€done€as€he€knew€we€wanted€itÐ >)î% Ðto€be€done,€that€we€were€ð!ð„€he€knew€we€wereÐ *Ä& Ðparticular€and€we€had€certain€things€in€mind,Ð ê*š ' Ðhe€wanted€to€adhere€to€those,€and€he€alsoÐ À+p!( Ðwanted€to€see€that€the€best€work€was€done.€Ð –,F") ÐSo€he€promised€us€at€that€time€and€uponÐ l-#* Ðsigning€that€contract,€that€he€would€be€onÐ B.ò#+ Ðthe€job€daily€overseeing.Ð/È$,` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àWas€there€any€agreement€as€to€theÐ Ä0t&. Ðcompletion€date€of€the€contract?К1J'/` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àYes.€€Mr.€Frost€told€us€that€he€would€beÐ F3ö(1 Ðfinished€by€June€1st.€€And€jerry€[sic]€said,Ð 4Ì)2 Ðð ðNow,€this€is€going€to€effect€[sic]€ourÐ ò4¢*3 Ðbusiness€because,€you€know,€when€you€tear€up,Ð È5x+4 Ðitððs€hard€to€do€business€around€that€and€itððsÐ ž6N,5 Ðcosting€you€money€on€a€daily€basis.ðð€€And€soÐ t7$-6 ÐJerry€was€emphatic€about€that€because€ofÐ J8ú-7 Ðâ âpossibility€of€losing€business.€€So,€becauseÐ  9Ð.8 Ðof€that,€Roy€said,€ð ðI€can€guarantee€you€thatÐ P  ÐI€can€complete€all€of€this€work€by€June€1st.ððÓñ†ÓÐ& Ö` x` x Ðâ âÌLater,€Judy€Duncan€was€again€questioned€about€the€contract€price:Ð ~. ÐÌÓV•Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:€à ¸ àAnd€can€you€tell€the€Court€again€theÐ Ö†  Ðtotal€contract,€because€I€think€that€wasÐ ¬\  Ðconfusing€you€a€few€minutes€ago.€€What€wasÐ ‚2  Ðthe€contract€amount?ÐX ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ à$313,000€and€ð!ð„€213,200.д ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àIn€thinking€back,€Ms.€Duncan,€to€thatÐ °`  Ðafternoon€when€you€were€going€over€thoseÐ †6 Ðfigures€and€discussing€that€contract€price,Ð \  Ðwere€the€words€ð ðguaranteedðð€ever€mentioned€toÐ 2â Ðyou€that€day€in€regard€to€that€contract€andÐ ¸ Ðthat€price?ÐÞŽ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àYes.€€More€than€once€Mr.€Frost€said€thatÐ Š: Ðhe€would€guarantee€us€that€it€would€notÐ ` Ðexceed€this€313,200,€but€that€he€would€do€hisÐ 6æ Ðbest,€his€very€best,€and€felt€very€confidentÐ  ¼ Ðthat€he€would€be€able€to€stay€within€theÐ â ’ Ð$300,000€range.и!h` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àIs€that€contract€signed?Ðd#` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àYes,€each€page,€because€Jerry€and€IÐ %À  Ðasked€that€he€sign€each€page€of€the€contractÐ æ%–! Ðð!ð„€Ð¼&l"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àIs€Roy€Frostððs€signature€ð!ð„€Ðh($` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àð!ð„„€and€date€it.€€Yes.€€And€he€dated€ð!ð„Ð *Ä& Ðand€he€dated€the€page€also.Óq–ÓÐê*š '` x` x ÐÌRoy€Frost€testified€as€follows:Ð B.ò#+ ÐÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àJerry€said,€well,€Iððd€like€to€get€by€forÐ š1J'/ Ð300,000€if€I€could,€and€I€told€him€ð!ð„€Ðp2 (0` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àDo€you€know€where€he€derived€the€figureÐ 4Ì)2 Ðof€300,000€in€that€discussion?Ðò4¢*3` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àThat€is€the€first€I€ever€heard€ofÐ ž6N,5 Ð300,000.€€I€never€heard€of€it,€but€he€said,€IÐ t7$-6 Ðwould€like€to€ð!ð„€I€would€like€to€get€by€withÐ J8ú-7 Ð$300,000€if€I€could.€€I€said,€well,€the€onlyÐ  9Ð.8 Ðthing€that€I€can€tell€you€is€that€weððll€go€toÐ ö9¦/9 Ðwork€like€we€agreed€upon€because€we€talkedÐ P  Ðabout€a€cost„plus€fee€basis.€€He€would€pay€myÐ & Ö Ðlabor€bills€from€timecards,€and€they€could€beÐ ü ¬ Ðfurnished€if€they€were€needed.ÐÒ ‚` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà8¸ ¸ àà8hÈÈà*à À à*à  àà À à*à  à*Ð~.hphp ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[Jerry€Duncan]€could€control€the€cost.€€TheyÐ *Ú Ðcould€help€control€the€cost,€and€weððll€spendÐ ° Ðwhatever€money€that€they€wanted€to€spend,€andÐ Ö†  Ðwhen€we€got€to€the€$300,000,€we€would€eitherÐ ¬\  Ðquit€ð!ð„€quit€at€any€time€they€wanted€to€quit.Ђ2 ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àWas€there€ever€a€discussion€by€you€andÐ .Þ  ÐMr.€Duncan€or€his€wife€when€you€took€thisÐ ´  Ðconstruction€cost€estimate€up€there€to€theirÐ ÚŠ  Ðhome€that€you€would€do€this€work€for€theÐ °`  Ðspecified€sum€of€three€hundred€thirteenÐ †6 Ðthousand€200€some€odd€dollars?Ð\ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àI€never€heard€of€that€figure€until€itÐ ¸ Ðcome€up€to€lawsuit€time.€€I€never€heard€that.ÐÞŽ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àAs€a€specified€sum?Њ:` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àAs€a€specified€sum,€never€had€any€idea.Ð6æ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àÐ ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àQ:à ¸ àDid€you€at€that€meeting€ever€guaranteeÐ â ’ Ðeither€one€of€them€that€you€would€do€thisÐ ¸!h Ðrenovated€project€for€the€specified€sum€ofÐ Ž"> Ðthree€hundred€thirteen€thousand€and€200€someÐ d# Ðodd€dollars?Ð:$ê` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA:à ¸ àNo.€€I€did€not.€€The€only€thing€that€wasÐ æ%–! Ðagreed€upon€at€this€time€when€we€started€thatÐ ¼&l" Ðjob€I€was€asked€the€question€about€when€IÐ ’'B# Ðcould€start,€and€I€told€him€weððd€start€itÐ h($ Ðimmediately.€€Jerry€and€I€discussed€about€hisÐ >)î% Ðdealership€having€to€be€open€and€first€oneÐ *Ä& Ðthing€and€another€and€the€difficulty€it€wouldÐ ê*š ' Ðbe€and€things€like€that.ÐÀ+p!(` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€told€him€that€we€could€start€immediately€onÐ l-#* Ðthe€project€and€that€we€would€work€around€allÐ B.ò#+ Ðthat€we€could€and€that€once€we€started€thatÐ /È$, Ðproject€that€Frost€Construction€Company,€notÐ î/ž%- ÐRoy€Frost,€would€never€leave€that€job.€€IÐ Ä0t&. Ðsaid€Frost€Construction€Company€will€not€quitÐ š1J'/ Ðon€this€job.€€We€will€not€stop€this€job€untilÐ p2 (0 Ðwe€are€completed.ÓÏÓÐF3ö(1` x` x ÐÌAfter€hearing€this€conflicting€testimony,€the€trial€courtÐ ž6N,5 Ðresolved€the€factual€issue€of€the€alleged€guarantee€in€favor€ofÐ J8ú-7 Ðthe€Duncans,€finding€that€Frostððs€testimony€was€not€credible:Ð ö9¦/9 ЇÓ­Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€had€no€way€of€resolving€any€of€this€disputeÐ P  Ðabout€the€guaranteed€maximum,€because€I€hadÐ & Ö Ðthe€Duncans€saying€one€thing,€at€least€inÐ ü ¬ Ðpart,€and€I€had€Mr.€Frost€swearing€to€theÐ Ò ‚ Ðexact€opposite.€€But€Mr.€Frost,€on€the€4thÐ ¨ X Ðday,€endured€what€can€only€be€described€as€aÐ ~. Ðrigorous€if€not€a€grueling€cross„examinationÐ T Ðin€which€he€did€very€badly,€I€will€have€toÐ *Ú Ðsay€for€Mr.€Frost.а` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€testimony€appeared€quite€often€to€be€veryÐ ¬\  Ðdeceptive,€to€be€not€credible€on€manyÐ ‚2  Ðfronts...ÐX ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà8¸ ¸ àà8hÈÈà*à À à*à  à*д hphp ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[A]t€the€conclusion€of€his€cross„examination,Ð °`  ÐI€had€lost€confidence€in€what€he€was€tellingÐ †6 Ðme.Ð\ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àHe€denied€that€Mr.€Duncan€ever€told€him€thatÐ ¸ Ðhe,€Mr.€Duncan,€wanted€to€know€what€theÐ ÞŽ Ðbuilding€was€going€to€cost€him.€€Well,€I€justÐ ´d Ðdonððt€believe€that.€€I€believe€Mr.€Duncan€didÐ Š: Ðwant€to€know€what€the€building€was€going€toÐ ` Ðcost€him.€€I€think€that€he€asked€him,€and€IÐ 6æ Ðthink€Mr.€Frost€made€some€statements€in€thatÐ  ¼ Ðregard.Ðâ ’` x` x ÐÓÙ­ÓÌFrost€argues€that€the€trial€courtððs€determination€of€hisÐ d# Ðcredibility€was€in€error€because€his€version€of€the€events€ofÐ %À  ÐJanuary€20,€1996,€is,€according€to€Frost,€corroborated€by€theÐ ¼&l" Ðestimate,€which€does€not€mention€a€guaranteed€price.€€While€itÐ h($ Ðcan€be€argued€that€the€failure€of€the€four„page€estimate€toÐ *Ä& Ðmention€the€concept€of€a€guarantee€is€consistent€with€FrostððsÐ À+p!( Ðtestimony,€the€trial€court€nonetheless€found€his€testimony€ð ðto€beÐ l-#* Ðvery€deceptiveðð€and€not€worthy€of€belief.€€The€determination€of€aÐ /È$, Ðwitnessðð€credibility€is€for€the€trial€court€and€suchÐ Ä0t&. Ðdeterminations€ð ðwill€not€be€disturbed€on€appeal€unless€realÐ p2 (0 Ðevidence€compels€a€contrary€conclusion.ðð€€ò òòòMcReynolds€v.€CherokeeÐ 4Ì)2 ÐIns.€Co.,ó óóó€815€S.W.2d€208,€210€(Ô_ÔTenn.Ct.AppÔ_Ô.€1991).€€The€four„pageÐ è5˜+4 Ðestimateððs€silence€on€the€question€of€a€guarantee€is€not€enoughÐ ´7d-6 Ðð ðto€compel[]€a€contrary€conclusion.ðð€€ò òòòIdó óóó.€€Thus,€we€will€notÐ `9/8 Ðdisturb€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€Frost€guaranteed€that€theÐ P  Ðcost€of€the€renovations€and€additions€would€not€exceed€$313,200.Ð ü ¬ ÐÌà  àà ` àFrost€contends€that€the€parties€did€not€act€in€a€mannerÐ T Ðconsistent€with€a€contract€for€a€fixed€price€because€(1)€Frost€Ð ° Ðwas€paid€on€a€cost„plus€basis;€and€(2)€because€Jerry€Duncan€Ford,Ð ¬\  Ðallegedly€without€Frostððs€knowledge,€paid€$92,857.09€directly€toÐ X  Ðsuppliers€and€subcontractors.€€Frost€argues€that€if€the€contractÐ ´  Ðhad€been€for€a€fixed€price,€he€would€have€exercised€stricterÐ °`  Ðcontrol€over€such€expenditures.€€Ð \  ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€find€that€the€partiesðð€actions€were€not€inconsistentÐ ´d Ðwith€a€guaranteed€maximum€price.€€There€is€no€dispute€that€theÐ ` Ðparties€agreed€that€the€work€would€be€performed€on€a€cost„plus€Ð  ¼ Ðbasis;€however,€the€parties€also€agreed€„„€as€found€by€the€trialÐ ¸!h Ðcourt€„„€that€the€total€cost,€including€the€ð ðplusðð€additions,Ð d# Ðwould€not€exceed€$313,200òò.óó€€Thus,€although€the€work€was€paid€forÐ %À  Ðon€a€cost„plus€basis,€the€evidence€preponderates€that€the€partiesÐ È&x" Ðwere€operating€under€a€guaranteed€maximum€budget.€€DentonÐ t($$ Ðtestified€that€he€heard€Frost€say€that€the€project€was€withinÐ  *Ð& Ðbudget.€€Both€Mr.€Duncan€and€Judy€Duncan€testified€that€beforeÐ Ì+|!( Ðselecting€any€supplies,€they€would€ask€Frost€whether€they€wereÐ x-(#* Ðwithin€the€budget,€and€that€Frost€always€replied€in€theÐ $/Ô$, Ðaffirmative.€€Steve€Kirkham,€the€owner€of€the€Rocky€Top€MarketÐ Ð0€&. Ðwhere€Frost€was€also€working€at€the€time,€testified€that€he€heardÐ |2,(0 ÐFrost€mention€that€he€was€below€budget€on€the€Jerry€Duncan€FordÐ (4Ø)2 Ðproject.€€We€find€that€the€existence€of€this€budget€is€notÐ Ô5„+4 Ðinconsistent€with€a€guaranteed€maximum€price.€€Ð €70-6 ÐÐ ,9Ü.8 Ðà  àà ` àMoreover,€the€fact€that€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€boughtÐ P  Ðsupplies€or€paid€some€suppliers€directly€for€their€services€doesÐ ü ¬ Ðnot€contradict€a€finding€of€a€guaranteed€price.€€First,€theÐ ¨ X Ðevidence€preponderates€that€the€parties€had€agreed€that€JerryÐ T ÐDuncan€Ford€could€purchase€materials€directly€so€long€as€FrostÐ ° Ðapproved€of€such€purchases.€€Both€Duncans€testified€that€theyÐ ¬\  Ðsought€and€obtained€Frostððs€approval€before€making€any€purchases.€Ð X  ÐAs€for€the€direct€payment€of€suppliers,€Jerry€Duncan€testifiedÐ ´  Ðthat€he€had€to€pay€some€suppliers€because€they€were€due€paymentÐ °`  Ðwhen€the€supplies€arrived€on€the€site,€and€Frost€was€not€there€toÐ \  Ðpay€for€them.€€Thus,€we€find€Frostððs€argument€on€this€point€to€beÐ ¸ Ðwithout€merit.€€Ð ´d ÐÌÓ  ÓIV.Ð  ¼ ÐÓ·ÅÓÌà  àà ` àFrost€next€argues€that€because€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€madeÐ d# Ðthe€first€material€breach€of€contract€by€failing€to€give€FrostÐ %À  Ðnotice€of€the€defects€in€the€construction€and€an€opportunity€toÐ ¼&l" Ðcure,€the€trial€court€erred€in€awarding€damages€to€Jerry€DuncanÐ h($ ÐFord.€€Frost€claims€that€he€is€entitled€to€damages€arising€fromÐ *Ä& ÐJerry€Duncan€Fordððs€breach.€€Ð À+p!( ÐÌà  àà ` àGenerally€speaking,€notice€and€an€opportunity€to€cureÐ /È$, Ðmust€be€given€before€a€party€may€terminate€a€contract€for€faultyÐ Ä0t&. Ðperformance.€€òòò òMcClain€v.€Kimbrough€Constr.€Co.,ó óóó€806€S.W.2d€194,Ð p2 (0 Ð198€(Tenn.Ct.App.€1990).€€Failure€to€give€such€notice€constitutesÐ <4ì)2 Ða€material€breach€of€the€contract€ò òòòó óóóand€entitles€the€party,€who€wasÐ è5˜+4 Ðdenied€the€opportunity€to€cure,€to€an€award€of€damages.€€ò òòòId.€ó óóóatÐ ”7D-6 Ð199.Ð `9/8 Їà  àà ` àFrost€and€several€members€of€his€crew,€including€theÐ P  Ðsupervisor€of€the€project,€Michael€Frost,€testified€that,€withÐ ü ¬ Ðfew€exceptions,€they€did€not€receive€any€complaints€about€theÐ ¨ X Ðquality€of€the€work.€€The€defendant€Frost€testified€that€aÐ T Ðcomplaint€was€made€about€a€door€being€out€of€square,€but€it€wasÐ ° Ðimmediately€corrected.€€He€also€stated€that€ð ðsome€statement€wasÐ ¬\  Ðmadeðð€concerning€the€wrong€kind€of€carpet€being€installed€in€theÐ X  Ðstorage€area,€but€that€it€was€not€a€ð ðbig€deal.ðð€€Frost€testifiedÐ ´  Ðthat€ð ðbubblesðð,€which€appeared€in€some€of€the€areas€covered€byÐ °`  Ðthe€wood€strips€and€plywood,€were€also€corrected.Ð \  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€Duncans€testified,€on€the€other€hand,€that€theyÐ ´d Ðmade€several€complaints€throughout€the€course€of€theÐ ` Ðconstruction.€€The€Duncans€complained€to€Frost€about€cracks€inÐ  ¼ Ðthe€concrete€in€the€service€area.€€They€complained€to€MichaelÐ ¸!h ÐFrost€about€the€drain€backing€up€in€the€shop€area.€€Mr.€DuncanÐ d# Ðcalled€Frostððs€attention€to€water€collecting€on€the€roof€aroundÐ %À  Ðthe€air€conditioner.€€An€employee€of€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€testifiedÐ ¼&l" Ðthat€he€pointed€out€to€Michael€Frost€that€the€exhaust€ports€wereÐ h($ Ðbeing€installed€too€close€to€the€wall.€€The€Duncans€complainedÐ *Ä& Ðabout€the€interior€painting€in€several€areas€of€the€dealership.€Ð À+p!( ÐAlso,€the€metal€roof€began€leaking€while€Frostððs€crew€was€stillÐ l-#* Ðon€the€job,€and€thus€would€have€been€an€obvious€defect€thatÐ /È$, Ðneeded€correction.€€Ð Ä0t&. ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€record€further€shows€that€Frost€received€noticeÐ 4Ì)2 Ðapproximately€one€month€prior€to€his€termination€that€the€DuncansÐ È5x+4 Ðwere€very€dissatisfied€with€his€performance.€€In€late€April,Ð t7$-6 Ð1996,€Mr.€Duncan€confronted€Frost€at€the€Rocky€Top€Market.€€Mr.Ð  9Ð.8 ÐDuncan€told€Frost€that€he€would€pull€Frostððs€men€off€the€jobÐ P  Ðunless€Frost€returned€to€the€job€site.€€This€confrontationÐ ü ¬ Ðnotified€Frost€of€Mr.€Duncanððs€dissatisfaction€with€theÐ ¨ X Ðprogression€of€the€work€and€Mr.€Duncanððs€belief€that€Frostððs€lackÐ T Ðof€attendance€was€contributing€to€the€defective€workmanship.€Ð ° ÐAlthough€Frost€returned€to€the€job€site€the€next€week,€hisÐ ¬\  Ðattendance€declined€thereafter.€€By€June,€1996,€Duncan€was€stillÐ X  Ðfaced€with€numerous€defects€in€the€construction€that€wereÐ ´  Ðunresolved;€also,€Frost€was€not€appearing€on€the€job€site.€€ItÐ °`  Ðwas€at€this€point€that€Mr.€Duncan€told€Frostððs€crew€to€leave€theÐ \  Ðjob€site.€€Ð ¸ ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€find€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€againstÐ ` Ða€finding€that€both€notice€and€an€opportunity€to€cure€wereÐ  ¼ Ðprovided€to€Frost€prior€to€the€termination€of€the€contract.€Ð ¸!h ÐAgain,€the€trial€court€was€presented€with€conflicting€testimonyÐ d# Ðfrom€the€parties.€€Although€the€trial€court€did€not€specificallyÐ %À  Ðaddress€the€issue€of€notice€in€its€opinion,€the€court€did€discussÐ ¼&l" Ðat€length€the€credibility€of€the€witnesses.€€The€trial€courtÐ h($ Ðclearly€gave€little€credence€to€Frostððs€testimony,€which€wasÐ *Ä& Ðseverely€discredited€on€cross„examination.€€Thus,€we€cannot€sayÐ À+p!( Ðthat€the€evidence€preponderates€against€a€finding€that€Frost€andÐ l-#* Ðhis€crew€were€provided€sufficient€notice€and€an€opportunity€toÐ /È$, Ðcure€the€defects€that€arose€during€the€construction.€€Ð Ä0t&. ЀÌÓ  ÓV.Ð 4Ì)2 ÐÓ4ÚÓÌà  àà ` àCustomer€Service€appeals€the€dismissal€of€its€claim€forÐ t7$-6 Ðdamages€against€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€and€the€Duncans,€arguing€thatÐ  9Ð.8 Ðan€express€contract€for€the€exterior€light€fixtures€existedÐ P  Ðbetween€the€parties.€€In€the€alternative,€Customer€Service€arguesÐ ü ¬ Ðthat€it€should€recover€òòquantum€meruitóó€because€an€implied€contractÐ ¨ X Ðexisted€between€the€parties.€€In€support€of€both€arguments,Ð ` ÐCustomer€Service€contends€that€Mr.€Duncan,€acting€on€behalf€ofÐ  ¼ ÐJerry€Duncan€Ford,€ordered€the€light€fixtures€for€which€CustomerÐ ¸h  ÐService€was€not€paid.€€Ð d  ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€find€that€the€trial€court€correctly€dismissedÐ ¼l  ÐCustomer€Serviceððs€claim.€€The€evidence€overwhelmingly€indicatesÐ h Ðthat€an€express€contract€for€the€exterior€lights€existed€betweenÐ Ä ÐòòFrostóó€and€Customer€Service.€€Mike€Edwards,€co„owner€and€vice„Ð Àp Ðpresident€of€Customer€Service,€testified€that€Frost€initiallyÐ x( Ðordered€the€exterior€light€fixtures.€€The€next€day,€Frost€calledÐ $ Ô Ðand€cancelled€the€order.€€One€week€later,€a€meeting€occurredÐ Ð!€ Ðbetween€Edwards,€Frost,€Mr.€Duncan,€and€the€electricalÐ |#, Ðsubcontractor€for€the€purpose€of€selecting€exterior€lightÐ (%Ø  Ðfixtures.€€Although€at€that€meeting€Duncan€selected€the€type€ofÐ Ô&„" Ðfixtures€to€be€installed,€it€was€Frost€who€later€called€EdwardsÐ €(0$ Ðand€placed€the€order.€€Moreover,€the€manner€in€which€CustomerÐ ,*Ü& ÐService€had€been€paid€prior€to€the€submission€of€the€June€15,Ð Ø+ˆ!( Ð1996,€invoice€also€reflects€an€express€contract€between€Frost€andÐ „-4#* ÐCustomer€Service.€€Helen€Neal,€an€employee€of€Jerry€Duncan€Ford,Ð 0/à$, Ðtestified€that€the€Customer€Service€invoices€were€billed€toÐ Ü0Œ&. ÐFrost.€€Frost€would€then€turn€in€the€invoices,€including€a€chargeÐ ˆ28(0 Ðfor€the€ð ðplusðð€additions,€to€Jerry€Duncan€Ford.€€A€check€wouldÐ 44ä)2 Ðthen€be€issued€payable€to€òòFrostóó€to€cover€the€amount€of€theÐ à5+4 Ðâ âinvoice€as€well€as€the€percentages€added€for€the€ð ðplusðð€items.Ð ˜7H-6 ÐThus,€the€partiesðð€conduct€demonstrates€that€an€express€contractÐ P  Ðexisted€between€Frost€and€Customer€Service.€Ð ü ¬ Ðâ âÌà  àà ` àCustomer€Serviceððs€argument€that€it€should€recoverÐ T Ðagainst€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€or€the€Duncans€on€an€implied€contractÐ ° Ðtheory€is€also€without€merit.€€An€implied€contract€or€òòquantumÐ ¬\  Ðmeruitóó€action€is€an€equitable€remedy€that€allows€a€party€who€hasÐ d  Ðprovided€goods€and€services€to€recover€the€reasonable€value€ofÐ Ì  Ðthose€goods€and€services€if€the€following€five€factors€are€met:Ð Èx  ÐÌÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€there€must€be€no€existing,€enforceableÐ  Ð Ðcontract€between€the€parties€covering€theÐ ö¦ Ðsame€subject€matter;ÐÌ|` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€the€party€seeking€recovery€must€proveÐ x( Ðthat€it€provided€valuable€goods€and€services;ÐNþ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)€the€party€to€be€charged€must€haveÐ ú ª Ðreceived€the€goods€and€services;ÐÐ!€` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(4)€the€circumstances€must€indicate€that€theÐ |#, Ðparties€involved€in€the€transaction€shouldÐ R$ Ðhave€reasonably€understood€that€the€personÐ (%Ø  Ðproviding€the€goods€or€services€expected€toÐ þ%®! Ðbe€compensated;€andÐÔ&„"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(5)€the€circumstances€must€also€demonstrateÐ €(0$ Ðthat€it€would€be€unjust€for€the€partyÐ V)% Ðbenefitting€from€the€goods€or€services€toÐ ,*Ü& Ðretain€them€without€paying€for€them.€€Ó—æÓÐ+² '` x` x ÐÌò òòòCastelli€v.€Lien,€ó óóó910€S.W.2d€420,€427€(Tenn.Ct.App.Ð Z. $+ Ð1995)(citations€omitted).€€A€recovery€for€òòquantum€meruitóó€isÐ &0Ö%- Ðlimited€to€the€actual€value€of€the€goods€or€services€received,Ð Þ1Ž'/ Ðnot€the€contract€price.€€ò òòòId.€€ó óóóThus,€a€party€seeking€òòquantumÐ Š3:)1 Ðmeruitóó€must€prove€the€reasonable€value€of€the€goods€or€services.Ð V5+3 Ðò òòòId.ó óóó€at€428;òòò ò€Bokor€v.€Holder,ó óóó€722€S.W.2d€676,€681€(Tenn.Ct.App.Ð 7¾,5 Ð1986).ò òòòó óóó€ò òòòóóó ó€Ð Ú8Š.7 Їà  àà ` àCustomer€Service€presented€no€proof€concerning€theÐ P  Ðreasonable€value€of€the€fixtures.€€Counsel€attempted€to€elicitÐ ü ¬ Ðtestimony€in€regard€to€the€òòcontract€priceóó€of€the€fixtures,€butÐ ¨ X Ðmade€no€attempt€to€establish€the€fixturesðð€reasonable€value.€Ð ` ÐCustomer€Service€argues€that€the€trial€court€ð ðthwartedðð€itsÐ  ¼ Ðattempt€to€prove€reasonable€value;€however,€we€find€no€merit€inÐ ¸h  Ðthis€claim.€€The€trial€court€merely€sustained€an€objection€madeÐ d  Ðto€repetitive€questions€asked€by€Customer€Serviceððs€counselÐ À  Ðconcerning€the€òòcontractóó€òòpriceóó€for€the€fixtures.€€The€record€showsÐ ¼l  Ðno€attempt€by€Customer€Service€to€establish€the€reasonable€valueÐ t$ Ðof€the€goods.€€Thus,€the€trial€court€correctly€dismissed€CustomerÐ  Ð ÐServiceððs€implied€contract€claim€against€Jerry€Duncan€Ford€andÐ Ì| Ðthe€Duncans.Ð x( ÐÌÓ  ÓVI.Ð Ð!€ ÐÓÐñÓÌà  àà ` àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€in€all€respectsÐ (%Ø  Ðaffirmed.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€appellants.€€ThisÐ Ô&„" Ðcase€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€enforcement€of€thatÐ €(0$ Ðcourtððs€judgment€and€for€collection€of€costs€assessed€below,€allÐ ,*Ü& Ðpursuant€to€applicable€law.Ð Ø+ˆ!( ÐÌÓÓà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à__________________________Ð 0/à$, Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.Ð 0¶%- ÐÌÌÌCONCUR:Ð ^3)1 ÐÌÌÌ______________________Ð ¶6f,5 ÐHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.Ð Œ7<-6 ÐÌÌÐ :¾/9 Ð______________________Ð P  ÐÓóÓD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.à h à