ÿWPC‹k Ýú1ý+è  !ð±ƒ=8[n¡j¨ j½ºwض#H>¼=EcÚÍyåÒG$Ô}R%Ñê]2òlãgн»À®<¬“þ´ÐiÅFÆ‚I?Ĉ@žÚíjÍ©‘\S6°¿>Ì?çtˆð²?ÒÓƒQƒÿO½ÓÙÜ @‡ûZ¥"J_*ô„g¥ÈÙ0uí!C¤"ûx÷½~Úu¥´"¢=¹TA=d¿oõêüR0„¶o@¦¨% '"üýÁs¼ C*®(—ôMlõp/Ò` mæ91Ì(±¢Òó|N B~Šw²~h*Óö®±KÒŽ_’c«uÇ€“.§[3n»Qô˜ÕCÊÙ—'ä ”ÿ›JRýê¶$ô¤œJ œ“¯¡S»à´îR˜$ÎÝI ¦‡ÁœÝð¡‰:|eO¸l¥Af®F>¹gb®;¦Ehîô¾ˆ]GŽœnp.x<]nÀWUãP`æ í®QÎð¼ Ç»þÕ ƒ7|yÁIïÔ÷5±#xªljÒ‰ähTÿÂN£×øÎú]ÓZ}58RÑn0Ú E>š4‹°D¯ 'Ùñ»h,`ŸW/zÏ}š© ni¾Yi]ðìÐ ‚(Éêy›.¼È#hàY¹Ö»û*žêÏÖGJ# à UVNë %9 04? 0)Ïs bB UNJ ˜ U >¯^ íw@ù49wM 0(DÄ¢ªÃ÷Ò_ÉUN(fv™Üruuç «\$N&s &X|'šÔ)Mn-r-Mt-.x-‘¦- AQ7/#ˆ/Æ«2iq3Ú5Š[8 å9/î;é?.B4B 0D ÐHowever,€when€a€contract€contains€ambiguous€or€vague€provisions,€these€provisions€willÏbe€construed€against€the€party€responsible€for€drafting€them.€€òòSee€Hanover€Ins.€Co.€v.€Haneyóó,Ð 06€1B Ð221€Tenn.€148,€153„54,€425€S.W.2d€590,€592„93€(1968);€òòBurks€v.€Belz„Wilson€Propertiesóó,Ð °73D Ð958€S.W.2d€773,€777€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).€€ÌÐ °:6H Ðà@àà.Dàò òB.ó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà ` àWe€turn€to€the€option€agreement€for€the€answer€to€the€first€legal€issue€ð!ð€whether€theÏbase€price€of€the€SENASH€stock€may€be€increased€only€by€written€change€order.€€TheÏagreement€contains€only€two€mechanisms€for€increasing€the€base€price€of€the€stock.€€First,Ïthe€agreement€provides€that€the€base€price€of€the€stock€may€be€increased,€€without€a€writtenÏchange€order,€by€the€ð ðaggregate€actual€cost€of€all€items€set€forth€under€the€category€ofÏððIndirect€Cost€Allowanceðð€as€shown€on€the€Project€Cost€Budget.ðð€€Second,€the€agreementÏprovides€that€the€base€price€of€the€stock€may€be€increased€byÌÓ€Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` (#` (#àany€changes€made€to€the€Project€during€the€construction€periodÏthat€add€to€the€scope€of€the€Project€over€that€contemplatedÏpursuant€to€the€Base€Price€.€.€.€as€and€to€the€extent€that€suchÏchanges€are€identified€in€written€change€orders€therefor€andÏwhich€are€agreed€to€and€signed€by€both€Parties.Ð ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌÓ€ÓPlainly,€the€option€agreement€requires€that€increases€in€the€base€price€of€the€SENASH€stockÏresulting€from€additions€to€the€ð ðscope€of€the€Projectðð€must€be€supported€by€written€changeÏorders.ÌÌà ` àThe€phrase€ð ðscope€of€the€Projectðð€is€not€defined€in€the€option€agreement.€€On€severalÏoccasions€during€construction,€Mr.€Street€questioned€Clarkððs€interpretation€of€the€term.€€ToÏthe€extent€that€the€lack€of€a€definition€of€ð ðscope€of€the€Projectðð€created€an€ambiguity,€theÏburden€must€be€borne€by€The€Realty€Shop€because€the€option€agreement€was€drafted€by€Mr.ÏStreetððs€lawyers.ÌÌà ` àIn€the€context€of€this€case,€the€phrase€ð ðscope€of€the€projectðð€most€sensibly€refers€toÏthe€ð ðworkðð€as€that€term€is€defined€in€the€December€14,€1992€construction€contract€betweenÏSENASH€and€Clark.€€In€the€construction€industry,€the€term€ð ðworkðð€is€commonly€understoodÏto€refer€to€the€construction€being€performed€by€a€contractor€in€accordance€with€a€particularÏset€of€contract€documents.׃*×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú23Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€December€14,€1992€construction€contract€defined€the€workÐ 0-€(4 Ðas€ð ðall€the€Work€to€be€performed€as€required€by€the€Contract€Documents€for€the€constructionÏof€Thompson€Station€Shopping€Center€consisting€of€a€107,320€SF€Loweððs€Hardware€StoreÏâ âand€a€__2,€316€[unintelligible]€SF€Food€Lion€Store.ðð€€In€addition,€Article€20€of€the€contractÐ °1-: Ðidentified€twelve€items€specifically€included€within€the€scope€of€the€ð ðwork,ðð€and€Article€21Ïidentified€nineteen€items€specifically€excluded€from€the€scope€of€the€ð ðwork.ðð׃+×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú24Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð 0€ Ðâ âÌà ` àNeither€the€construction€contract€nor€the€option€agreement€addresses€whether€otherÏitems€that€can€cause€construction€costs€to€increase€should€be€included€or€excluded€from€theÏscope€of€the€project.€€For€example,€neither€agreement€addresses€cost€increases€stemmingÏfrom€(1)€unforeseen€conditions€on€the€site,€(2)€delays€in€clearing€the€site,€(3)€defective€plans,Ï(4)€delays€in€obtaining€completed€plans,€or€(5)€delays€in€tenant€approval€of€building€plans.€ÏWhile€the€construction€contract€specifically€provides€that€the€contractor€is€entitled€to€anÏð ðequitable€adjustment€in€the€Contract€Priceðð€for€delays€in€the€work€that€are€ð ðnot€theÏresponsibility€of€the€Contractor,ðð€it€contains€no€explicit€requirement€that€this€ð ðequitableÏadjustmentðð€take€the€form€of€a€written€change€order.ÌÌà ` àThe€terms€of€separate€contracts€forming€integral€parts€of€a€single€transaction€may€beÏconsidered€together.€€òòSee€McCall€v.€Towne€Square,€Inc.óó,€503€S.W.2d€180,€182„83€(Tenn.Ð ° Ð1973);€òòStovall€v.€Dattelóó,€619€S.W.2d€125,€127€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1981).€€In€this€case,€theÐ 0€ ÐDecember€14,€1992€construction€contract€and€all€the€contracts€executed€on€March€11,€1993Ïmay€be€construed€together€because€they€are€integral€ingredients€to€the€development€andÏconstruction€of€the€Thompson€Station€project.€€ÌÌà ` àThe€option€agreement,€construed€in€light€of€the€construction€contract,€requires€changeÏorders€for€work€not€included€in€the€work€described€in€the€ð ðspecific€inclusionsðð€in€Article€20Ïof€the€construction€contract.€€This€work€consists€of€the€ð ðspecific€exclusionsðð€listed€in€ArticleÏ21,€as€well€as€any€other€work€not€directly€part€of€one€of€the€ð ðspecific€inclusionsðð€in€ArticleÏ20.€€Thus,€if€RR€Westminster€desired€to€increase€the€base€price€of€the€SENASH€stock€by€theÏcost€of€any€work€not€directly€part€of€one€of€the€ð ðspecific€inclusionsðð€in€Article€20,€it€had€toÏobtain€a€written€change€order€signed€by€The€Realty€Shop.€€RR€Westminster€was€not,Ïhowever,€required€to€obtain€a€written€change€order€to€obtain€an€ð ðequitable€adjustmentðð€forÏdelays€in€the€work€that€were€not€its€responsibility€or€to€recover€increased€construction€costsÏcaused€by€delays€or€errors€in€the€projectððs€plans€and€specifications,€including€the€plans€forÏthe€two€stores.€€ÌÐ 03€.> Ðà@ÚÚ.Dàò òC.ó óˆà p àÐ ° ÐÌà ` àThe€second€legal€issue€is€whether€the€parties€to€the€option€agreement€may,€either€byÏagreement€or€by€conduct,€waive€the€agreementððs€provision€for€written€change€orders€toÏincrease€or€decrease€the€base€price€of€the€SENASH€stock.€€Again,€we€must€turn€to€theÏcontract€documents€and€the€partiesðð€roles€in€the€construction€of€the€Thompson€StationÏproject.ÌÌà ` àThe€construction€contract€executed€by€SENASH€and€Clark€designated€Mr.€Street€asÏthe€ð ðownerððs€representative.ðð€€Article€9.5€of€the€contract€provides:ÌÓ€Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` (#` (#àà  àIn€order€to€expedite€the€project,€it€may€be€necessary€forÏthe€Contractor€to€proceed€with€changes€in€the€Work€based€onÏverbal€authorization€from€the€owner€[SENASH]€or€ownerÏrepresentative€[Mr.€Street].€€As€soon€as€practical,€the€ContractorÏwill€notify€the€Owner€in€writing€of€the€cost€of€the€change€in€theÏWork€and€the€additional€time,€if€any,€necessary€to€complete€saidÏchange€in€the€Work.Ð ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌÓ€ÓAccording€to€this€provision,€Mr.€Street€was€empowered€to€authorize€Clark€to€performÏadditional€work€not€included€in€the€original€contract€without€first€obtaining€a€written€changeÏorder.ÌÌà ` àEven€though€the€construction€contract€empowered€Mr.€Street€to€authorize€Clark€toÏperform€additional€construction€work€without€first€obtaining€a€change€order,€paragraph€twoÏof€the€option€agreement€specifically€links€the€base€price€of€the€SENASH€stock€to€changeÏorders€signed€by€Mr.€Street€and€RR€Westminister.€€In€addition,€paragraph€thirteen€of€theÏoption€agreement€provides€that€ð ð[n]o€change€or€modification€of€this€Agreement€shall€beÏvalid€unless€the€same€is€in€writing€and€signed€by€the€parties€to€this€Agreement.ðð€€Similarly,Ïparagraph€sixteen€states:ÌòòóóÓ€Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` (#` (#àà  àNo€delay€or€omission€on€the€part€of€either€party€hereto€inÐ 0,€'2 Ðexercising€any€right€hereunder€shall€operate€as€a€waiver€of€suchÏright€or€any€other€right€under€this€Agreement;€however,€any€ofÏthe€terms€or€conditions€of€this€Agreement€may€be€waived€inÏwriting€at€any€time€by€the€party€hereto€which€is€entitled€to€theÏbenefit€thereof.Ð ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌÓ€ÓOn€their€face,€these€paragraphs€permit€the€modification€or€waiver€of€any€provision€of€theÏoption€agreement€as€long€as€the€waiver€or€modification€is€in€writing€and€is€signed€by€theÏparty€entitled€to€the€benefit€of€the€provision€being€waived.Ìâ âÐ °73? Ðà ` àThe€trial€court€specifically€found€that€Mr.€Street€authorized€additional€work€withoutÏfirst€obtaining€written€change€orders€signed€by€all€the€parties.׃0×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú25Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€It€also€concluded€thatÐ 0€ Ðâ â$73,913€of€the€cost€of€this€additional€work€should€be€added€to€the€base€price€of€theÏSENASH€stock€because€ð ðThe€Realty€Shop€was€obligated€to€execute€a€change€order€with€RRÏWestminster€in€.€.€.€[that]€amount.ðð׃4P×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú26Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Thus,€the€trial€court€concluded€that€the€base€price€ofÐ °  Ðthe€SENASH€stock€could€be€increased€to€reflect€the€cost€of€additional€work€even€though€theÏadditional€work€was€not€supported€by€written€change€orders€signed€by€The€Realty€Shop€andÏRR€Westminster.ÌÌà ` àNotwithstanding€its€decision€to€increase€the€price€of€the€SENASH€stock€by€$73,913,Ïeven€in€the€absence€of€a€written€change€order,€the€trial€court€declined€to€increase€the€baseÏprice€of€the€SENASH€stock€to€reflect€the€cost€of€other€work€for€which€there€was€no€writtenÏchange€order€signed€by€The€Realty€Shop€and€RR€Westminster.€€The€trial€court€did€not€baseÏits€decision€on€a€finding€that€the€work€was€included€in€the€original€work€or€that€the€workÏwas€unnecessary€or€otherwise€incompensable.€€Rather,€the€trial€court€concluded€(1)€that€theÏrequirements€of€the€option€agreement€could€not€be€waived€by€the€parties€except€in€writingÏand€(2)€that,€even€if€informal€waiver€was€permitted,€€Mr.€Streetððs€conduct€did€not€amountÏto€a€waiver€of€the€written€change€order€requirement.ÌÌà ` àThe€trial€court€concluded€as€a€matter€of€law€that€neither€party€to€the€option€agreementÏcould€waive€the€written€change€order€requirement€either€in€words€or€by€conduct.€€ThisÏdecision€rested€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c)€(1995),€as€interpreted€by€òòBarnett€v.Ð 0$€* ÐWillisóó,€No.€89„361„II,€1990€WL€186697€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€June€13,€1990),€òòperm.€app.€deniedóóÐ °%!, Ð(Tenn.€Nov.€5,€1990)€(opinion€designated€ð ðnot€to€be€publishedðð).€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„¼112(c)€prevents€courts€from€giving€effect€to€any€waiver€that€is€not€in€writing€if€the€ð ðcontractÏcontains€a€provision€to€the€effect€that€no€waiver€or€any€terms€or€provisions€thereof€shall€beÏvalid€unless€such€waiver€is€in€writing.ðð€€In€òòBarnett€v.€Willisóó,€this€court€found€that€Tenn.€CodeÐ °+'4 ÐAnn.€ðð€47„50„112(c)€superceded€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Courtððs€holding€in€òòV.L.€NicholsonÐ 0-€(6 ÐCo.€v.€Transcon€Inv.€&€Fin.€Ltd.,€Inc.óó,€595€S.W.2d€474,€482€(Tenn.€1980)€that€an€ownerÐ °.*8 Ðcould€be€held€liable€for€the€costs€of€extra€work€performed€by€a€contractor€even€when€theÏparties€had€not€executed€the€written€change€orders€required€by€their€contract.€Ð °1-< Їà ` àThere€are€three€reasons€why€the€trial€court€should€not€have€relied€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ïðð€47„50„112(c)€and€òòBarnett€v.€Willisóó.€€First,€òòBarnett€v.€Willisóó€should€not€have€been€accordedÐ 0€ Ðprecedential€weight€because€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€directed€that€it€should€not€beÏpublished׃5×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú27Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€because€this€court€withdrew€it€from€publication€on€January€11,€1991.€Ð 0 € ÐSecond,€the€option€agreement€does€not€explicitly€state€that€waivers€must€be€in€writing€to€beÏvalid.€€Third,€even€if€the€terms€of€the€option€agreement€could€only€be€waived€in€writing,€theÏrecord€contains€at€least€three€writings€in€which€Mr.€Street€stated€that€the€parties€wouldÏundertake€a€ð ðfair€and€equitableðð€adjustment€of€both€the€construction€contract€and€the€optionÏagreement€in€light€of€the€increased€construction€costs.€€ÌÌà ` àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c)€has€not€figured€prominently€in€many€cases€since€itsÏenactment€sixteen€years€ago.€€While€one€court€has€analogized€the€statute€to€the€parolÏevidence€rule,€òòsee€Tidwell€v.€Morgan€Bldg.€Sys.,€Inc.óó,€840€S.W.2d€373,€376€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ° Ð1992),€few€other€courts€have€relied€on€the€statute€for€more€than€the€proposition€thatÏTennessee€courts€will€enforce€written€contracts€according€to€their€terms.€€òòSee€Lawhorn€&Ð ° ÐAssocs.,€Inc.€v.€Patriot€Gen.€Ins.€Co.óó,€917€F.€Supp.€538,€542€(E.D.€Tenn.€1996);€òòIn€reÐ 0€ ÐRachels€Indus.,€Inc.óó,€109€B.R.€797,€804€(Bankr.€W.D.€Tenn.€1990).€Ð °  ÐÌà ` àIn€circumstances€analogous€to€those€of€this€case,€the€courts€of€this€State€haveÏpermitted€parties€who€have€performed€additional€work€to€recover€even€in€the€absence€of€aÏcontractually€required€written€change€order.€€In€doing€so,€the€courts€have€relied€on€severalÏdifferent€theories€to€support€their€decisions.€€The€most€common€basis€for€permitting€recoveryÏfor€extra€work€without€a€written€change€order€is€that€the€parties,€by€their€conduct€on€the€job,Ïâ âwaived€the€requirement.׃B0×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú28Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Other€courts€have€reached€similar€results€by€relying€on€theÐ 0'€". Ðð ðimplied„in„fact€contractðð€theory,׃C×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú29Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€the€oral€recission€theory,׃D€×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú30Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€the€estoppel€theory,׃E8×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú31Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×òòóó€and€theÐ ° Ðâ âquantum€meruit€theory.׃FÐ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú32Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð 0€ ÐÌà ` àThe€search€for€the€meaning€of€a€statute€is€a€judicial€function.€€òòSee€Roseman€v.Ð 0 € ÐRosemanóó,€890€S.W.2d€27,€29€(Tenn.€1994);€€òòBellSouth€Telecomms.,€Inc.€v.€Greeróó,€972Ð °  ÐS.W.2d€663,€672€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1997).€€When€construing€a€statute,€a€courtððs€goal€is€toÏascertain€and€to€give€effect€to€the€statuteððs€purpose€without€unduly€restricting€it€or€expandingÏit€beyond€its€intended€scope.€€òòSee€Consumer€Advocate€Div.€v.€Greeróó,€967€S.W.2d€759,€761Ð 0€  Ð(Tenn.€1998);€òòPerry€v.€Sentry€Ins.€Co.óó,€938€S.W.2d€404,€406€(Tenn.€1996);€òòKultura€v.Ð °  ÐSouthern€Leasing€Corp.óó,€923€S.W.2d€536,€539€(Tenn.€1996).Ð 0€  ÐÌà ` àThe€search€for€a€statute's€purpose€begins€with€the€words€of€the€statute€itself.€€òòSee€NeffÐ 0€ Ðv.€Cherokee€Ins.€Co.óó,€704€S.W.2d€1,€3€(Tenn.€1986);€òòWinter€v.€Smithóó,€914€S.W.2d€527,€538Ð ° Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€If€the€statute€is€unambiguous,€the€courts€need€only€enforce€theÏstatute€as€written.€€òòSee€Hawks€v.€City€of€Westmorelandóó,€960€S.W.2d€10,€16€(Tenn.€1997);Ð ° ÐòòCarson€Creek€Vacation€Resorts,€Inc.€v.€Stateóó,€865€S.W.2d€1,€2€(Tenn.1993);€òòJackson€v.Ð 0€ ÐJacksonóó,€186€Tenn.€337,€342,€210€S.W.2d€332,€334€(1948).€€The€courts€must€consider€theÐ °  Ðstatute€as€a€whole,€òòseeóó€òòState€v.€Cauthernóó,€967€S.W.2d€726,€735€(Tenn.€1998);€òòCohen€v.Ð 0€" ÐCohenóó,€937€S.W.2d€823,€827€(Tenn.€1996),€and€in€doing€so,€they€must€give€the€words€in€theÐ °$ Ðstatute€their€natural€and€ordinary€meaning.€€òòSee€Davis€v.€Reaganóó,€€951€S.W.2d€766,€768Ð 0!€& Ð(Tenn.€1997);€òòWestland€West€Community€Assððn€v.€Knox€Countyóó,€948€S.W.2d€281,€283Ð °"( Ð(Tenn.€1997).€€ÌÌà ` àCourts€should€also€be€mindful€of€existing€law€when€they€construe€a€statute.€€òòSee€StillÐ 0'€". Ðv.€First€Tenn.€Bank,€N.A.óó,€900€S.W.2d€282,€284€(Tenn.€1995);€òòFirst€Nat'l€Bank€of€Fulton€v.Ð °($0 ÐHowardóó,€148€Tenn.€188,€194,€253€S.W.€961,€962€(1923).€€They€should€also€avoid€displacingÐ 0*€%2 Ðexisting€statutory€or€common„law€rules€and€principles€any€further€than€the€plain€meaning€ofÏthe€statute€expressly€declares€or€necessarily€implies.€€òòSee€In€re€Deksinsðð€Estatesóó,€214€Tenn.Ð 0-€(6 Ðâ â608,€611,€381€S.W.2d€921,€922€(1964);€òòHarbison€v.€Briggs€Bros.€Paint€Mfg.€Co.óó,€209€Tenn.Ð °.*8 Ð534,€546,€354€S.W.2d€464,€470€(1962);€òòSteele€v.€Ft.€Sanders€Anesthesia€Group,€P.C.óó,€897Ð ° ÐS.W.2d€270,€282€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994).€€Ìâ âÌà ` àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c)€requires€little€construction€because€its€words€areÏunambiguous€and€its€meaning€clear.€€It€prohibits€oral€waivers€or€waivers€by€conduct€of€anyÏprovision€of€a€written€contract€that€contains€a€ð ðprovision€to€the€effect€that€no€waiver€of€anyÏterms€or€provisions€.€.€.€[of€this€contract]€shall€be€valid€unless€such€waiver€is€in€writing.ðð€ÏThe€phrase€ð ðto€the€effectðð€signals€the€General€Assemblyððs€decision€that€the€statute€could€beÏtriggered€by€provisions€that€did€not€incorporate€the€exact€language€in€the€statute.€€òòSee€In€reÐ °  ÐWileyððs€Estateóó,€40€A.€980,€981€(Pa.€1898).€€Rather,€the€General€Assembly€decided€thatÐ 0€  Ðprovisions€having€the€same€import,€significance,€or€meaning€should€be€given€the€same€legalÏeffect.€€òòSeeóó€5€Oxford€English€Dictionary€79€(2d€ed.€1989).€€Ð 0€ ÐÌà ` àThe€question€becomes€whether€the€option€agreement€contains€a€provision€sufficientlyÏsimilar€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c)€that€it€prevents€the€parties€from€waiving€anyÏcontractual€provision€unless€the€waiver€itself€is€in€writing.€€The€answer€to€this€question€isÏno.€€ÌÌà ` àInstead€of€restricting€waivers€of€contractual€provisions€to€written€waivers,€paragraphÏsixteen€of€the€option€agreement€provides€only€that€the€party€to€the€agreement€who€is€entitledÏto€the€benefit€of€a€particular€contractual€provision€ð ðmayðð€waive€the€term€or€condition€inÏwriting.€€Paragraph€sixteen€does€not€restrict€valid€waivers€only€to€those€that€are€in€writingÏand€does€not€provide€that€the€parties€cannot€waive€their€contract€rights€in€any€other€way.€ÏThus,€the€language€of€paragraph€sixteen€of€the€option€agreement€does€not€have€the€sameÏlegal€significance€as€the€language€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c).€€The€language€ofÏparagraph€sixteen€is€not€sufficiently€similar€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c)€to€preventÏthe€parties€from€waiving€the€written€change€order€requirement€in€the€option€agreement€eitherÏorally€or€by€their€conduct.€€Accordingly,€the€trial€court€erred€as€a€matter€of€law€when€it€foundÏthat€paragraph€sixteen€of€the€option€agreement€triggered€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c).ÌÌà@ÚÚ.Dàò òD.ó óˆÐ °1-< ÐÌà ` àEven€if€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c)€prevented€RR€Westminster€from€claimingÏthat€the€parties€waived€the€written€change€order€requirement€either€by€their€words€or€by€theirÏconduct,€RR€Westminster€had€two€other€independent€bases€for€insisting€that€The€RealtyÏShop€had€agreed€to€increase€the€base€price€of€the€SENASH€stock.€€First,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ïðð€47„50„112(c),€by€its€own€terms,€does€not€prevent€RR€Westminster€from€seeking€to€recoverÐ °:6H Ðthe€increased€construction€costs€using€the€other€recognized€grounds€for€recovery.€€Second,Ïthe€record€contains€writings€by€Mr.€Street€that€amount€to€written€waivers€of€the€optionÏagreementððs€written€change€order€requirement.€ÌÌà@!!Dàòòò òAlternative€Theories€of€Recoveryó óóóˆÐ °  ÐÌà ` àWe€need€not€recite€in€detail€the€elements€of€claims€based€on€estoppel,€quantum€merit,Ïor€implied„in„fact€contract.׃7×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú33Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€largely€undisputed€facts€support€recoveries€under€theseÐ 0€  Ðtheories.€€Mr.€Street€knew€that€the€extra€work€was€being€performed.€€While€he€disagreedÏwith€the€price€for€portions€of€the€work,€he€never€disputed€the€necessity€of€the€work.€€In€fact,Ïhe€ð ðapprovedðð€most€of€the€extra€work,€although€he€later€insisted€that€he€did€so€believing€thatÏhe€would€not€be€called€upon€to€pay€for€the€work.׃;P×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú34Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Mr.€Street€has€never€disputed€that€theÐ 0€ Ðextra€work€was€actually€performed€or€that€the€extra€work€benefitted€the€project.ÌÌà@!Dàòòò òMr.€Streetððs€Written€Waiversó óóóˆÐ ° ÐÌà ` àIf€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c)€prevented€the€parties€from€waiving€the€writtenÏchange€order€requirement€without€a€written€waiver,€the€first€factual€issue€is€whether€TheÏRealty€Shop€waived€in€writing€its€prerogative€to€insist€on€written€change€orders€to€alter€theÏbase€price€of€the€SENASH€stock.€€The€trial€court€found€that€ð ðRR€Westminster€failed€toÏprove€that€The€Realty€Shop€intended€to€waive€the€written€change€order€requirement.ðð€€TheÏevidence€preponderates€against€this€finding€of€fact.€€The€record€contains€at€least€threeÏinstances€in€which€Mr.€Street€acknowledged€in€writing€that€the€parties€had€agreed€to€adjustÏthe€final€amount€of€the€construction€contract€and€also€the€price€of€the€SENASH€stockÏwithout€requiring€written€change€orders.ÌÌà ` àMr.€Street€was€directly€and€intimately€involved€with€this€project€from€its€inceptionÏto€its€completion.€€According€to€the€contract€documents,€he€served€not€only€as€theÏð ðdeveloperðð€but€also€as€the€ð ðownerððs€representative.ðð€€The€contract€required€him€ð ðtoÏcoordinate€and€furnish€all€designðð€and€to€ð ðbe€responsible€for€monitoring€the€requirementsÐ 00€+: Ðrelating€to€the€effectiveness€of€the€leases.ðð€€The€latter€responsibility€required€Mr.€Street€toÏsee€to€it€that€the€construction€milestones€in€the€Food€Lion€and€Loweððs€leases€were€met.€€ItÏis€not€irrelevant€to€note€at€this€juncture€that€the€trial€court€found€that€most€of€the€disputedÏcosts€arose€from€delays€or€deficiencies€in€the€projectððs€plans€ð!ð€areas€for€which€Mr.€StreetÏwas€contractually€responsible.€€Mr.€Streetððs€heated€correspondence€to€the€projectððs€architectÏand€engineer€in€February€and€April€1993€reflect€his€understanding€of€his€role.ÌÌà ` àThe€record€likewise€contains€clear€evidence€that€the€parties€understood€that€the€priceÏof€the€SENASH€stock€was€directly€related€to€Thompson€Stationððs€final€construction€costs.€ÏMr.€Streetððs€own€correspondence€belies€his€later€assertion€that€he€was€simply€acting€as€someÏsort€of€Good€Samaritan€after€the€March€1993€closing.€€He€knew€full€well€that€the€increasedÏconstruction€costs€would€affect€his€anticipated€earnings€on€the€project.€€For€example,€onÏJune€4,€1993,€Mr.€Street€demanded€the€grading€subcontractorððs€revised€cost€figures,€statingÏthat€ð ð[w]e€must€have€the€figures€if€you€are€messing€with€our€money.ðð€€Likewise,€on€July€7,Ï1993,€he€complained€that€Clark€was€not€holding€the€grading€subcontractor€accountable€toÏits€original€estimates€because€the€additional€costs€were€not€going€to€be€paid€by€Clark€butÏrather€by€him.׃<×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú35Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Mr.€Streetððs€correspondence€and€conduct€throughout€the€entire€project€areÐ °  Ðconsistent€with€a€person€having€contractual€responsibilities€for€and€a€financial€interest€in€theÏtimely€completion€of€the€project.ÌÌà ` àThe€record€contains€at€least€three€instances€in€which€Mr.€Street€stated€in€writing€thatÏthe€price€of€the€SENASH€stock€would€be€adjusted€without€a€written€change€order.€€The€firstÏis€a€letter€Mr.€Street€wrote€to€Clark€on€February€8,€1993€because€he€desired€a€share€of€theÏsavings€on€the€site€preparation€costs.€€Mr.€Street€proposed€to€Mr.€Venable€that€they€ð ðhaveÏan€understanding€which€would€be€fair€and€equitable€to€both€of€us€before€going€to€the€closingÏtable.ðð€€The€second€is€an€April€27,€1993€letter€responding€to€Mr.€Venableððs€request€that€theÏparties€resolve€the€issues€concerning€the€responsibility€for€the€increased€construction€costsÏas€soon€as€possible.€€Mr.€Street€again€acknowledged€in€his€letter€that€the€parties€had€agreedÏto€go€forward€with€the€construction€ð ðwith€the€understanding€we€could€settle€later€in€a€wayÏfair€to€everyone.ðð€€Ìñ¼ñÌñ¼ñà ` àThe€third€writing€is€a€December€23,€1993€letter€responding€to€Mr.€Venableððs€earlierÏletter€providing€a€detailed€accounting€of€the€increased€construction€costs€that€Clark€proposedÏto€use€ð ðin€determining€the€price€to€be€paid€for€the€SENASH€stock.ðð€€This€accountingÐ 06€1B Ðincluded€the€costs€for€the€extra€work€covered€by€the€first€eight€change€orders€between€ClarkÏand€SENASH.€Mr.€Street€never€mentioned€that€neither€Clark,€SENASH,€nor€RRÏWestminster€had€asked€him€to€sign€change€orders€for€this€work,€and€he€never€asserted€thatÏhe€was€not€responsible€for€the€increased€construction€cost€for€lack€of€properly€signed€changeÏorders.€€Instead,€he€told€Mr.€Venable:€ð ðI€trust€we€can€enter€into€these€final€cost€negotiationsÏon€Nashville,€both€remaining€totally€fair€and€equitable€to€each€other€in€order€to€maintain€ourÏrelationship€and€keep€moving€forward€together€for€years€to€come.ðð€€ÌÌà ` àMr.€Streetððs€three€letters€acknowledging€the€partiesðð€agreement€to€enter€into€ð ðfinalÏcost€negotiationsðð€involving€the€increased€construction€costs,€including€the€costs€for€theÏextra€work,€are€written€waivers€for€the€purpose€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c).€€Thus,Ïthe€trial€court€erred€as€a€matter€of€fact€and€of€law€when€it€concluded€that€RR€WestminsterÏhad€no€basis€for€increasing€the€price€of€the€SENASH€stock€and€that€RR€WestminsterÏbreached€the€option€agreement€by€refusing€to€sell€the€SENASH€stock€to€The€Realty€ShopÏfor€$6,681,530.€ÌÌà@àà.Dàò òE.ó óˆÐ °  ÐÌà ` àWe€summarize€our€conclusions€as€follows:ÌÌÓ€Óà ` à(1)à0 ¸ àThe€option€agreement€requires€the€use€of€written€change€orders€to€increase€theÐ °"( Ðbase€price€of€the€SENASH€stock€due€to€increased€construction€costs€for€extraÏwork€not€part€of€the€ð ðspecific€inclusionsðð€in€Article€20€of€the€constructionÏcontract.Ð ¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à(2)à0 ¸ àThe€option€agreement€does€not€require€written€change€orders€for€(1)€ð ðindirectÐ °'#- Ðcost€allowanceðð€items€as€shown€on€the€budget,€(2)€equitable€adjustments€forÏdelays€in€the€work€not€caused€by€the€contractor,€or€(3)€increased€constructionÏcosts€caused€by€delays€and€errors€in€the€plans€and€specifications.Ð ¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à(3)à0 ¸ àParagraph€sixteen€of€the€option€agreement€permitting€the€parties€to€the€optionÐ °,(2 Ðagreement€to€waive€provisions€of€the€option€agreement€in€writing€does€notÏtrigger€the€restriction€against€informal€waivers€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„¼112(c).Ð ¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à(4)à0 ¸ àEven€if€paragraph€sixteen€triggered€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c),€theÐ °1-7 Ðstatute€does€not€prevent€Clark€or€RR€Westminster€from€recovering€theÏincreased€construction€costs€using€theories€of€recovery€other€than€waiver.Ð ¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌà ` à(5)à0 ¸ àEven€if€paragraph€sixteen€triggered€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„50„112(c),€theÐ °51; Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€demonstrates€that€Mr.€Streetððs€correspondenceÏduring€the€construction€amounted€to€written€waivers€of€The€Realty€ShopððsÏright€to€insist€on€using€written€change€orders€to€increase€the€base€price€of€theÏSENASH€stock.Ð ¸ €%¸ €% ÐÐ °:6@ Ðà ` à(6)à0 ¸ àRR€Westminster€did€not€breach€the€option€agreement€by€not€agreeing€to€sellÐ ° Ðthe€SENASH€stock€to€The€Realty€Shop€for€$6,681,530.Ð ¸ €%¸ €% ÐÌÓ€ÓBased€on€these€conclusions,€we€vacate€the€judgment€awarding€The€Realty€Shop€$1,089,674Ïin€compensatory€damages€and€$277,€866€in€prejudgment€interest.€€ÌÌà@±±.Dàò òIV.ó óˆÐ 0 €  ÐÌà ` àThe€deadlines€in€the€Loweððs€and€Food€Lion€leases€forced€the€parties€to€beginÏconstruction€before€the€site€had€been€cleared€and€before€the€site€plans€and€building€plans€hadÏbeen€prepared€and€approved.€€Later,€errors€in€the€site€plan€and€delays€in€obtaining€approvedÏbuilding€plans€threatened€the€timely€completion€of€the€work€and€caused€construction€costsÏto€increase.€€While€the€parties€agreed€on€the€work€that€needed€to€be€done,€they€disagreed€onÏhow€the€increased€costs€would€be€apportioned.€€Instead€of€risking€the€entire€project€overÏtheir€disagreement,€they€decided€that€they€would€complete€the€project€as€best€they€could€andÏthen,€in€Mr.€Streetððs€words,€ð ðsettle€[up]€later€in€a€way€fair€to€everyone.ðð€€ÌÌà ` àThe€parties€had€lost€the€spirit€of€cooperation€by€the€end€of€the€project€in€1994.€€BitterÏdisagreements€over€the€causes€of€the€construction€delays,€the€cost€of€the€extra€work,€and€theÏresponsibility€for€paying€for€the€extra€work€had€fostered€an€adversarial€relationship.€€AllÏparties€called€in€their€lawyers€and€began€posturing€in€order€to€gain€some€sort€of€tacticalÏadvantage€as€the€situation€deteriorated.€€Mr.€Street€became€convinced€that€Clark€and€RRÏWestminster€were€plotting€to€steal€the€project€from€him;€while€Clark€and€RR€WestminsterÏbelieved€that€Mr.€Street€was€trying€to€avoid€paying€for€additional€work€that€he€either€orderedÏor€authorized.€€In€this€environment,€it€is€not€surprising€that€the€parties€never€completed€theÏð ðfinal€cost€negotiationsðð€in€order€to€arrive€at€an€equitable€allocation€of€the€increased€costs.€ÏThis€lengthy€litigation€took€the€place€of€the€negotiations.ÌÌà ` àWe€have€determined€that€the€proper€resolution€of€this€dispute€is€to€hold€the€partiesÏto€their€oral€agreement€to€allocate€the€increased€costs€of€the€Thompson€Station€project€in€anÏequitable€manner.׃>×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú36Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€We,€therefore,€find€that€the€increased€costs€incurred€in€completing€theÐ 00€+9 Ðproject€should€have€been€reflected€in€the€option€price€of€the€SENASH€stock.€€We€also€findÏthat€The€Realty€Shop€is€entitled€to€receive€an€amount€equal€to€the€difference€between€theÐ 03€.= Ðadjusted€purchase€price€of€the€Thompson€Station€project€and€the€original€base€price€of€theÏSENASH€stock€plus€the€increased€costs€incurred€in€completing€the€project.€€This€amountÏshould€be€reduced€by€the€actual€closing€costs€and€the€rent€that€Food€Lion€paid€to€Mr.€StreetÏthat€should€have€been€paid€to€SENASH.׃?×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú37Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð 0 € ÐÌà ` àWe€find€that€the€adjusted€base€price€of€the€Thompson€Station€project€paid€byÏTennessee€Equity€Fund€was€$8,035,000.׃@P×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú38Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€We€also€find€that€the€original€base€price€of€theÐ °  ÐSENASH€stock€($6,489,105)€should€be€adjusted€based€on€the€increased€construction€costsÏreflected€in€the€ten€change€orders€prepared€by€Clark€and€approved€by€SENASH€($848,772)׃Hè×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú39Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð °  Ðand€the€additional€indirect€costs.€€In€addition,€we€find€that€the€actual€closing€costs€incurredÏin€the€sale€of€the€project€to€Tennessee€Equity€Fund€amounted€to€$361,586€and€that€eachÏcomponent€of€these€costs€is€fair€and€reasonable.€€Finally,€we€find€that€Mr.€Street€collectedÏ$50,023€in€rent€from€Food€Lion€that€should€have€been€paid€to€SENASH.ÌÌà ` àAccordingly,€we€calculate€the€award€to€The€Realty€Shop€as€follows:ÌÌÔ‡XX‹ŠµØÔÓ€Óà ` àAdjusted€purchase€price€of€Thompson€Station€à È àà  àà x àà Ð à$8,035,000Ð °  ÐÌà ` àBase€price€of€SENASH€stockà À àà  àà p àà È à$6,489,105Ð ˆØ" Ðà ` àIncreased€construction€costsà À àà  àà p àà È à€€€€€848,772Ð tÄ# Ðà ` àIncreased€indirect€costsà À àà  àà p àà È àòò€€€€€107,897óó€Ð ` °$ ÐÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àTotalà È àà  àà x àà Ð àòò€7,445,774óóÐ 8"ˆ& ÐÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àSubtotalà  àà x àà Ð à€€€€589,226Ð $`( ÐÌà ` àActual€closing€costsà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à€€€€361,586Ð è%8!* ÐÌà ` àFood€Lion€rent€due€to€SENASHà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à€òò€€€€€50,023óóÐ À'#, ÐÌÓ€Óà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àTotal€Recoveryà x àà Ð à$€€177,617Ð ˜)è$. ÐÔ#†ŠµØ‹XXÆr#ÔÌà ` àBased€on€this€computation,€we€award€The€Realty€Shop€a€$177,617€judgment€againstÏRR€Westminster.€€If€RR€Westminister€has€already€obtained€the€Food€Lion€rent,€the€judgmentÐ ú-J)4 Ðshall€be€increased€to€$227,640.€€We€also€find€that€The€Realty€Shop€is€not€entitled€toÏprejudgment€interest€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„14„123€(1995)€for€two€reasons.€€First,€theÏamount€due€The€Realty€Shop€was€subject€to€reasonable€dispute€and€was€not€certain.€€òòSeeóóÐ ° ÐòòMyint€v.€Allstate€Ins.€Co.óó,€970€S.W.2d€920,€927€(Tenn.€1998);€òòMitchell€v.€Mitchellóó,€876Ð 0 € ÐS.W.2d€830,€832€(Tenn.€1994).€€€Second,€The€Realty€Shop€must€shoulder€the€responsibilityÏfor€the€partiesðð€failure€to€complete€their€post„construction€negotiations€aimed€at€allocatingÏthe€increased€construction€costs€in€a€fair€and€equitable€manner.€€ÌÌà@ÛÛ.Dàò òV.ó óˆÐ °  ÐÌà ` àWe€affirm€the€judgment€dismissing€the€malicious€interference€with€contract€claimsÏagainst€Clark€and€Clarendon.€€We€modify€the€judgment€by€vacating€the€awards€to€The€RealtyÏShop€for€$1,089,674€in€compensatory€damages€and€$277,866€in€prejudgment€interest€andÏdirecting€the€trial€court,€on€remand,€to€enter€a€judgment€in€favor€of€The€Realty€Shop€andÏagainst€RR€Westminster€for€$177,617€or€for€$227,640€if€RR€Westminster€has€alreadyÏreceived€the€Food€Lion€rent.€€The€trial€court€may€grant€either€party€whatever€other€reliefÏconsistent€with€this€opinion€that€may€be€warranted.€€We€tax€the€costs€in€equal€proportionsÏto€The€Realty€Shop,€Inc.€and€to€RR€Westminster€Holding,€Inc.€and€its€surety€for€whichÏexecution,€if€necessary,€may€issue.ÌÔ#†Šp¥‹‹ŠµØzä#ÔÌÓ€Óà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌ_________________________________ÌSAMUEL€L.€LEWIS,€JUDGE€ÌÌÌ_________________________________ÌBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€JUDGEñÇñÐ  /Q*4 ÐñÇñ¹Ñ„ÑÔ€ ›!‹Šp¥ÔÑ8€»Y»»dˆˆd8ÑñÆñà@  Dàò òIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@ZZ)DàAT€NASHVILLEó óˆÐ òB ÐÌÔ‡¼»Y»! ›ÔTHE€REALTY€SHOP,€INC.,à À àà  àà p à)Ð vÆ Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)Ìà ` àPlaintiff/Appellee,à h àà0 À àà  àà p à)Ц öÀ€%À€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)ÌVS.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)Ð Ö & Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)ÌRR€WESTMINSTER€HOLDING,€INC.,à p à)à È àDavidson€ChanceryÐ V  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)à È àNo.€94„293„IÐ n  Ðà ` àDefendant/Appellant,à À àà  àà p à)Ð 6†  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)Ìandà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)Ð f¶  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)à È àAppeal€No.Ð ~Î ÐJOHN€S.€CLARK€CO.,€INC.;à À àà  àà p à)à È à01A01„9609„CH„00418Ð –æ ÐSENASH,€INC.;€andà h àà À àà  àà p à)Ð ®þ ÐCLARENDON€NATIONAL€INS.€CO.,à p à)Ð Æ Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)Ìà ` àDefendants.à  àà h àà À àà  àà p à)Ð öF ÐÔ#† ›!»¼»YA#ÔÌò òà@cc(DàòòJ€U€D€G€M€E€N€Tóóó óˆÐ P  ÐÌÔ€Šp¥‹! ›ÔÓ€Óà ` àThis€cause€came€on€to€be€heard€upon€the€record€on€appeal€from€the€Davidson€CountyÐ Ô$ ÐChancery€Court,€the€briefs€of€the€parties,€and€arguments€of€counsel.€€Upon€consideration€ofÏthe€entire€record,€this€court€finds€and€concludes€that€the€trial€judge's€judgment€should€beÏaffirmed€in€part;€modified€in€part;€and€remanded.ÌÌà ` àIn€accordance€with€the€opinion€filed€contemporaneously€with€this€judgment,€it€is,Ïtherefore,€ordered,€adjudged,€and€decreed€that€the€trial€court's€judgment€be€and€is€herebyÏaffirmed€in€part€and€modified€in€part,€and€that€the€cause€be€remanded€to€the€trial€court€forÏfurther€proceedings€consistent€with€this€court's€opinion.ÌÌà ` àIt€is€further€ordered€that€the€costs€of€this€appeal€be€taxed€in€equal€proportions€to€TheÏRealty€Shop,€Inc.€and€to€RR€Westminster€Holding,€Inc.,€principal,€and€Branham€&€Day,€P.C.,Ïand€Clarendon€National€Insurance€Company,€sureties,€for€which€execution€may€issue€ifÏnecessary.ÌÓ€ÓÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à_______________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àSAMUEL€L.€LEWIS,€JUDGE€ÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à_______________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€JUDGE€ÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à_______________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGE€ñÆñ