ÿWPCx ¼?¦î¬W%øщøêM„¤KõØ2üí„’SÄ5Z|Ô…[N$ˆQ¢²»µd­"âõ6u“Ü!`Kö.W«ð5I`žøÁ+‘é7€—9[¨ 93"6Æ^^•3·×å áØ–?–MŽÚ£ðôÍÓ³Æ L3ŸË²Šøn‡üò½_ð€€ér n<ªVv£û3vÃ(Å.9 µÛ×µq{ ¼iÿþéàŠýS@ŽÌ|Êæà_)4 ÿívb-ÅGþ=í‘ iæPÈçöëØ~Å6智¶ ‰šä¤SØÆ_c¼]Ì2¡jXpBÇq!;ÙݻһᱭhsËÞ5ßœE¡öëf^¢y­-Ðô¿ñ£‚j§6ZqaŠŽÑXÓ‚Ú[Ï}ÿºÓx…¹Â'p¾”¢à2àtœVÂ?u{/Æõî½Ë#å‘úËxêõ;gaU!™Ïà•›×&÷¨SñåAÑ#5„Q(²B“Yuôöe¤}ݘp]´|¥ßê´é–Tá*På.2œÖÿñ“£c(¡^"ºWL«²>†^„|*Wm¾^%¶_\+[f• V¨ ÛDݘLß;º2ȺshähE·MW<+U¢´üž1%_šÉJ \yúØb %\^ b 0ˆnU1NöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÁÐ ú‘ Æ‹ ÆQ ÆÆÝ 0D£Nç÷éöàEÖUNØf&ÃŒOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWbmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 0ëuuuu B`` 0¤} D3! D-T 0K ASÌÆ 0¤å 0D‰ A«Í»’,L (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular÷L,+þÿÿÿ3|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4,ü,,,,,ü0 ðÝ ƒRá¸$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô•´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€At€the€time€of€the€contract,€the€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€were€married,€but€now€they€are€divorced.€€Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó íÝ ƒRá¸$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô•´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€judgment€is€in€favor€of€the€estate€of€Brooks€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô,€James€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ôððs€father,€because€the€original€plaintiff,Ð ° ÐÔ_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€Construction€Company,€assigned€its€interest€in€the€suit€to€Brooks€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô,€who€is€now€deceased.€€ ìÝ ƒRá¸$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô•´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThese€include€several€items€previously€discussed€in€this€Opinion,€such€as€the€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô€that€was€not€furnished,Ð e Ðtrash€on€the€site,€the€payments€to€Ô_ÔHimmerÔ_Ô€for€completing€the€ð ðpunch€list,ðð€repairing€the€intercom€system,€and€theÐ -È Ðcabinets€that€were€not€stained.(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular \Ý ƒRá¸$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô•´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€This€total€amount€of€change€orders€is€consistent€with€the€masterððs€finding€number€2.€€Apparently,€the€changeÐ e Ðorder€amount€was€mistakenly€listed€as€$27,887€in€the€masterððs€finding€number€20.€€€€€€ ¹Ý ƒRá¸$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô•´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Fuller€was€also€the€Ownersðð€neighbor€on€Airline€Road.€€  Ñ e Ñ- ù-(|G2á¸$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ê »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô•´ò»»Ô d(|39$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ê »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|39$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ê »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ê »»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼ê »»»ÔÑ8€êXXdð»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÑ€ïOÑ€à@ü ü ìàÔ‡î¨Wê ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼ê »îî¨W#ԈРÜ, ÐÓ  ÓJUNE€18,€2001€SessionÐ X ÐÔ‡XêX»¼ê ÔÌò òÔ#†¼ê »XXê#ÔÔ_ÔVARNERÔ_Ô€CONSTRUCTION€COMPANY,€INC.,€and€THE€ESTATE€OFÐ  ` ÐBROOKS€Ô_ÔVARNERÔ_Ô€òòóóv.€DAVID€M.€Ô_ÔMARRSÔ_Ô€AND€Ô_ÔLATITIAÔ_Ô€M.€Ô_ÔMARRSÔ_ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê Ôó óÐ ( x ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òAn€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Shelby€CountyÐ 0 € Ðà@@øøìàNo.€90765„2€€€€€€Floyd€Ô_ÔPeeteÔ_Ô,€ChancellorÐ  p ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<ï` AßÐ ð@  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W„2000„01029„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€April€18,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ï?  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<Î` AßÐ Ï Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€is€a€construction€case.€€In€1981,€the€defendant€owners€hired€the€plaintiff€construction€companyÐ Î Ðto€build€a€custom€home.€€Over€the€course€of€construction,€the€parties€disagreed€over€many€things,Ð ¾ Ðand€their€relationship€ended€in€July€or€August€1983.€€The€construction€company€sued€the€owners,Ð ®þ Ðalleging€that€the€owners€had€not€paid€the€full€amount€due€under€the€contract.€€The€owners€filed€aÐ žî Ðcounterclaim,€alleging€that€the€construction€company€owed€them€for€amounts€expended€inÐ ŽÞ Ðcompleting€the€project€and€for€estimated€amounts€to€cure€remaining€defects.€€The€chancellor€referredÐ ~Î Ðthe€case€to€a€special€master€who,€after€taking€the€case€under€advisement€for€a€lengthy€time,€issuedÐ n¾ Ðfindings€which€favored€the€construction€company.€€The€chancellor€adopted€the€findings€of€the€masterÐ ^® Ðand€awarded€the€construction€company€damages€plusÔ#†¼ê »XXêk#ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê Ô€prejudgment€interest.€€The€owners€now€appeal.€Ð Nž ÐWe€affirm€in€part,€reverse€in€part€and€modifyÔ#†¼ê »XXêÚ #ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê Ô.€Ð >Ž ÐÔ#†¼ê »XXê #ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê ÔÓÍÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€in€the€Chancery€Court€is€Affirmed€inÐ n ÐPart,€Reversed€in€Part€and€Modified.€ó óÐ ^ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼ê »àXêæ #ÔÔ‡XêX.¼ê ÔHolly€K.€Lillard,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.€Ô_ÔHighersÔ_Ô,€J.,€óóand€òòDavidÐ î > ÐR.€Farmeróó,€joined.Ð Þ!.  ÐÌJohn€J.€Ô_ÔHeflinÔ_Ô,€III,€and€Kenneth€P.€Jones,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellants,€David€M.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_ÔÐ ¾#" Ðand€Ô_ÔLatitiaÔ_Ô€M.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô.Ð ®$þ# ÐÌJ.€Frank€Hall,€Memphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€Construction€Company€and€the€EstateÐ Ž&Þ!% Ðof€Brooks€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô.€Ð ~'Î"& ÐÓà ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼ê »XXêò #ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê ÔÐ ^)®$( ÐÓ Óà @ àà @ àÔ#†¼ê »XXê#ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê ÔÓ  Óà  àThis€is€a€construction€case.€€About€twenty€years€ago,€defendants€David€M.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔLatitiaÔ_ÔÐ N*ž%) ÐMontague€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€(collectively€ð ðOwnersðð)€hired€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€Construction€Company€(ð ðContractorðð),Ð >+Ž&* Ðâ âowned€by€James€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô,€to€build€a€custom„designed,€concrete,€partially„underground€residence€atÐ .,~'+ý¾ Ð3191€Airline€Road€in€Ô_ÔEadsÔ_Ô,€Tennessee.Ô_Ô׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€€On€November€24,€1981,Ô#†¼ê »XXê›#ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê Ô€the€parties€signed€a€standardÐ ° Ðâ âÔ_ÔAmercanÔ_Ô€Institute€of€Architects€Contract€(ð ðAIA€Contractðð),€which€detailed€the€specifications€of€theÐ  ð Ðresidence€and€set€the€contract€price€at€$328,000.€€Over€the€course€of€construction,€approximatelyÐ à Ðtwenty„eight€change€orders€were€issued€relating€to€a€variety€of€details€ranging€from€ice„makers€toÐ €Ð Ðspiral€ducts.€€The€changes€resulted€in€approximately€$30,000€more€due€under€the€contract.€Ô#†¼ê »XXêÏ#ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê ÔÐ pÀ Ðà  àÌà  àAll€of€the€work€performed€on€the€home€took€place€in€1982€and€1983.€€It€is€undisputed€thatÐ @  Ðthe€parties€disagreed€over€many€things€including,€but€certainly€not€limited€to,€the€timeliness€andÐ 0 € Ðquality€of€the€Contractorððs€work,€the€Ownersðð€failure€to€make€progress€payments€to€the€ContractorÐ  p  Ðin€a€complete€and€timely€manner,€and€the€Contractorððs€failure€to€pay€subcontractors.€€OnÐ `  Ðapproximately€July€14,€1983,€James€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€and€David€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€engaged€in€a€ð ðfist€fight,ðð€apparentlyÐ P  Ðstemming€from€Mr.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ôðð€belief€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€had€a€romantic€interest€in€Mrs.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô.€€Ô#†¼ê »XXê3#ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê ÔMr.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_ÔÐ ð@  Ðtold€Mr.€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€not€to€come€back€on€the€property.€€Mr.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€changed€the€locks€on€his€residence,Ð à0  Ðand€the€altercation€apparently€marked€the€end€of€James€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ôððs€work€on€the€job.€€Ð Ð  ÐÓ Óà  àIn€a€letter€dated€August€22,€1983,€the€architect€on€the€job,€Bill€Fuller€(ð ðFullerðð),׃X×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô#†¼ê »XXêé#ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê Ô€wrote€aÐ ° Ðletter€to€the€Contractor€detailing€twenty„two€items€on€the€project€that€needed€to€be€completed:Ô#†¼ê »XXêu#ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê Ô€€Ð  ð ÐÌà8  àOn€all€exterior€conc.€drill€holes€missing€so€as€to€continue€the€pattern€left€by€the€tieÐ €Ð Ðrods.ÐpÀÐ Ð  Ðà8  àCaulk€over€the€backer€rod€at€the€Ô_ÔskyliteÔ_Ô€[sic].Ð`°Ð Ð  Ðà8  àClean€the€Ô_ÔskyliteÔ_Ô€[sic]€on€the€east€side€between€the€two€plastic€panels.ÐP Ð Ð  Ðà8  àinstall€[sic]€cover€flanges€at€the€solar€system€Ô_ÔconectionÔ_Ô€[sic]€of€the€PVC€and€metalÐ @ Ðduct€at€the€roof.Ð0€Ð Ð  Ðà8  àTighten€the€fire€place€flue€head.Ð pÐ Ð  Ðà8  àTighten€the€ððcðð€anchors€that€hold€the€solar€panels€to€the€frame.Ð`Ð Ð  Ðà8  àClean€the€tape€marks€off€the€solar€panels.ÐPÐ Ð  Ðà8  àInstall€the€Ô_ÔKitchÔ_Ô.€Exhaust€fan€on€the€roof.Ðð@Ð Ð  Ðà8  àClean€and€polish€all€door€knobs.Ðà0Ð Ð  Ðà8  àTouch€up€paint€at€the€metal€hand€rails.ÐÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àAt€the€upper€Ô_ÔgtassÔ_Ô€[sic]€between€the€M.€€bedroom€and€the€garden€clean€the€whiteÐ À! Ðpaint€off€of€the€Ô_ÔmetalsoÔ_Ô€[sic]€as€to€have€a€straight€line.а" Ð Ð  Ðà8  àInstall€the€hand€sprayer€on€the€sink€at€the€Ô_ÔN.W.Ô_Ô€bathroom.Р#ð!Ð Ð  Ðà8  àRepair€the€leaks€at€the€Ô_ÔdownstairesÔ_Ô€[sic]€mech.€room€at€the€mech.€system€and€at€theÐ $à" Ðsolar€system.Ѐ%Ð #Ð Ð  Ðà  àAnchor€and€level€commode€in€the€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€bathroom.Ð p&À!$ Ðà  àAt€the€downstairs€mech€room€use€wire€nuts€at€the€splices€of€wires€for€the€intercom€system.Ð `'°"% Ðà8  àInstall€relief€valves€at€the€water€tanks€and€water€storage€tanks.ÐP( #&Ð Ð  Ðà8  àrepair€[sic]€the€steam€shower€head€leak.аРР Ðà8  àInstall€the€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô€with€pump€at€the€bar.РðÐ Ð  Ðà8  àÔ_ÔRestainÔ_Ô€the€bridge€floor.ÐàÐ Ð  Ðà8  àClean€all€[the]€trash€from€site.ЀÐÐ Ð  Ðà8  àComplete€cabinets.ÐpÀÐ Ð  Ðà8  àInstall€intercom€system€in€livingroom.Ð` °Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ Ó(ð ðAugust€22€letterðð).€€In€the€letter,€Fuller€stated€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôw]henÔ_Ô€the€.€.€.€list€is€complete€to€myÐ @  Ðsatisfaction€I€shall€issue€a€certificate€of€substantial€completion.ðð€€Ô#†¼ê »XXê3#ÔÔ‡XêX»¼ê ÔBrooks€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô,€James€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_ÔððsÐ 0 € Ðfather€who€had€joined€his€son€in€working€on€the€job,€testified€that€he€and€his€subcontractors€wentÐ  p  Ðback€to€the€site€four€or€five€times€to€complete€the€items€on€the€architectððs€list.€€On€September€13,Ð `  Ð1983,€however,€Mr.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€filed€a€Notice€of€Completion€in€the€Shelby€County€Registerððs€Office€inÐ P  Ðwhich€he€stated€that€he,€rather€than€the€Contractor,€substantially€completed€the€work.€€Whether€theÐ ð@  ÐContractor€or€the€Owners€should€receive€credit€for€completing€different€parts€of€the€project€is€theÐ à0  Ðsubject€of€much€dispute.€€Over€the€course€of€construction,€the€Owners€paid€the€Contractor€at€leastÐ Ð  Ð$313,868€and€paid€the€Contractorððs€subcontractors€at€least€$19,789.Ð À Ðà  àIn€late€August€1983,€the€owners€moved€into€their€new€house.€€On€January€Ô#†¼ê »XXêÆ'#ÔÔ€XêX»¼ê Ô10,€1984,€theÐ  ð ÐContractor€filed€suit€against€the€Owners,€claiming€that€the€Owners€still€owed€money€under€theÐ à Ðconstruction€contract.€€The€case€was€not€pursued,€however,€until€1990,€when€the€Owners€answeredÐ €Ð Ðthe€complaint€and€asserted€their€counterclaim€for€costs€incurred€in€completing€the€construction€ofÐ pÀ Ðtheir€residence.€€In€October€1990,€the€chancellor€entered€an€order€referring€the€case€to€a€master€andÐ `° Ðdirecting€the€master€to€answer€twenty„five€specific€questions€pertaining€to€the€partiesðð€claims.€€TheÐ P  Ðmaster€held€hearings€on€February€5€and€6,€1991,€and€continued€on€July€2,€1991.€€Ð @ Ðà  àFor€reasons€not€apparent€in€the€record,€the€masterððs€report€was€not€issued€until€approximatelyÐ  p Ðseven€years€later,€on€April€24,€1998.€€The€report€answered€all€of€the€chancellorððs€inquiries€andÐ ` Ðultimately€recommended€a€finding€in€favor€of€the€Contractor.€€The€Contractor€filed€a€motion€toÐ P Ðconfirm€the€masterððs€report,€and€the€Owners€filed€an€objection€the€report.€€Following€oral€argument,Ð ð@ Ðon€April€3,€2000,€the€chancellor€entered€a€final€judgment€adopting€all€of€the€masterððs€conclusions,Ð à0 Ðincluding€the€finding€that€the€Owners€owed€the€Contractor€$21,838€on€the€construction€contract€andÐ Ð  Ð$12,000€in€prejudgment€interest,€for€a€total€judgment€of€$33,838.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€accordance€with€theÐ À! Ðrecommendation€in€the€masterððs€report,€the€trial€court€dismissed€the€Ownersðð€counterclaims.€€TheÐ °"  ÐOwners€now€appeal,€challenging€the€chancellorððs€order€adopting€the€findings€in€the€masterððs€report.€Ð  #ð! Ðà  àWe€review€this€case€in€accordance€with€the€concurrent€finding€rule.€€Under€that€rule,Ð €%Ð # Ðconcurrent€findings€of€the€master€and€the€chancellor€are€conclusive€and€binding€on€the€appellateÐ p&À!$ Ðcourt,€except€where€the€finding€under€scrutiny€is€(1)€upon€an€issue€not€proper€to€be€referred;€(2)Ð `'°"% Ðbased€on€an€error€of€law;€(3)€based€on€a€mixed€question€of€law€and€fact;€or€(4)€not€supported€by€anyÐ P( #& Ðmaterial€evidence.€€òòò òSee€Ô_ÔStaggsÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔHerffÔ_Ô€Motor€Co.ó óóó,€390€S.W.2d€245,€251€(Tenn.€1965);ò òòò€Ô_ÔAussenbergÔ_ÔÐ ° Ðv.€Krameró óóó,€944€S.W.2d€367,€370€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996);€òòò òShepherd€v.€Griffinó óóó,€929€S.W.2d€336,€344Ð  ð Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995);€òòò òsee€alsoó óóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€27„1„113€(2000)€(stating€that€ð ðthe€court€ofÐ à Ðappeals€shall€not€have€the€right€to€disturbðð€a€concurrent€finding€of€the€master€and€chancellor).€€TheÐ €Ð ÐContractor€alleges€numerous€errors€in€the€masterððs€report€and€in€the€chancellorððs€subsequent€order.€Ð pÀ ÐWe€will€address€each€argument€in€turn.Ð ` ° Ðà  àThe€Contractor€initially€makes€the€argument€that€we€must€vacate€the€chancellorððs€order€inÐ @  Ðtotal,€or€at€least€give€his€findings€closer€scrutiny,€because€the€record€shows€that€he€did€not€exerciseÐ 0 € Ðhis€independent€judgment€in€adopting€the€masterððs€report.€€Rather,€the€Contractor€alleges,€theÐ  p  Ðchancellor€simply€ð ðrubber„stampedðð€the€report€without€making€any€deliberate€analysis.€€òòò òSeeÐ `  ÐÔ_ÔBlankenshipÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔBlankenshipÔ_Ôó óóó,€No.€02A01„9603„CH„00051,€1997€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€42€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð P  ÐApp.€Jan.€17,€1997).€€ò òòòÔ_ÔBlankenshipÔ_Ôó óóó€òòóóinvolved€a€Ô_ÔcomplictedÔ_Ô€boundary€dispute.€€In€ò òòòó óóóthat€case,€theÐ ð@  Ðappellate€court€vacated€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€adopting€the€special€masterððs€report€because€it€wasÐ à0  Ðapparent€from€the€record€that€the€trial€judge€failed€to€exercise€independent€judgment€in€adopting€thatÐ Ð  Ðreport.€€Specifically,€at€the€outset€of€trial,€the€trial€judge€informed€the€parties€that€the€master€wouldÐ À Ðdetermine€where€the€disputed€boundary€lay,€commenting€that€ð ðthatððs€the€way€itððs€going€to€have€toÐ ° Ðbe,€because€I€canððt€make€heads€or€tails€out€of€this.ðð€€òòò òIdó ó.óó€at€*3.€€After€the€master€had€issued€his€report,Ð  ð Ðthe€trial€judge€refused€to€allow€the€parties€to€offer€further€evidence€to€support€their€positions,€statingÐ à Ðthat€ð ðif€[the€master€is]€wrong,€heððs€just€wrong€and€you€have€a€right€to€appeal€it.ðð€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€at€*5.€€In€lightÐ €Ð Ðof€that€evidence,€this€Court€vacated€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€and€remanded€with€instructions€for€theÐ pÀ Ðtrial€court€to€reconsider€the€matter€independently€and€permit€the€parties€to€offer€additional€evidenceÐ `° Ðon€the€location€of€the€boundary.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€at€*7„*8.€€Ð P  Ðà  àIn€the€case€at€bar,€the€Owners€contend€that€the€chancellor€abdicated€his€responsibility€toÐ 0€ Ðevaluate€independently€the€circumstances€of€this€case.€€The€Owners€rely€on€a€statement€in€theÐ  p Ðchancellorððs€order€that€ð ðthe€Special€Master€has€discretion€to€accept€or€reject€testimony€and€thereforeÐ ` Ðthe€Special€Master€was€well€within€his€scope€of€discretion€to€make€the€findings€set€forth€in€hisÐ P Ðreport.ðð€€The€Owners€assert€that€this€statement€shows€that€the€trial€court€impermissibly€deferred€toÐ ð@ Ðthe€findings€of€the€master€without€exercising€independent€judgment€based€on€the€evidence.€€TheÐ à0 ÐOwners€argue€that€such€a€conclusion€is€particularly€compelling€in€the€instant€case,€in€which€theÐ Ð  Ðmasterððs€decision€was€not€issued€until€approximately€seven€years€after€the€submission€of€evidence.Ð À! Ðà  àWhile€the€time€for€which€this€case€has€been€pending€is€indeed€excessive,€the€record€containsÐ  #ð! Ðno€evidence€of€prejudice€to€the€parties€from€the€delay.€€More€importantly,€unlike€ò òòòÔ_ÔBlankenshipÔ_Ôó óóó,€theÐ $à" Ðchancellor€in€this€case€did€not€preclude€evidence€offered€to€rebut€the€findings€of€the€masterò òòòó óóó.€€Instead,Ð €%Ð # Ðthe€record€shows€that€the€trial€court€heard€oral€arguments€on€the€matter€and€deliberately€weighed€theÐ p&À!$ Ðevidence.€€As€the€court€in€òòò òÔ_ÔBlankenshipÔ_Ôó ó€óórecognized,€ð ð[a]€trial€court€is€entitled€to€adopt€a€specialÐ `'°"% Ðmasterððs€report€in€full.€€Ô_ÔT.C.R.P.Ô_Ô€53.04(2).ðð€€òòò òId.ó óóó€at€*5.€€Under€these€circumstances,€we€find€noÐ P( #& Ðevidence€to€support€a€finding€that€the€chancellor€abdicated€his€responsibility€to€exercise€independentÐ @)$' Ðjudgment.€€Ð 0*€%( ÐÐ ,`'* ÐÑïOÑâ âÑe°Ñâ âÑ  ÑÓ Óà  àFor€the€remaining€issues,€the€Owners€assert€that€certain€enumerated€findings€of€the€master,Ð e Ðadopted€by€the€chancellor,€were€not€supported€by€any€material€ò òó óevidence.€€The€applicable€provisionsÐ Uð Ðin€the€partiesðð€AIA€Contract€are€as€follows:€€€Ð Eà ÐÌà8  àòòò òó óóóARTICLE€2:€ARCHITECTÐ%ÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà@\\$ìà*€€€€€*€€€€€*ˆÐ    Ðà8  à2.2.7€€€€€The€Architect€will€be€the€interpreter€of€the€requirements€of€the€ContractÐ õ  ÐDocuments€and€the€judge€of€the€performance€thereunder€by€both€the€Owner€andÐ å € ÐContractor.ÐÕ p Ð Ð  Ðà@\\$ìà*€€€€€*€€€€€*ˆÐ Å `  ÐÌà8  à2.2.11€€€€€The€Architectððs€decisions€in€matters€relating€to€artistic€effect€will€be€finalÐ ¥@  Ðif€consistent€with€the€intent€of€the€Contract€Documents.Е0 Ð Ð  ÐÌà@\\$ìà*€€€€€*€€€€€*ˆÐ u ÐÌà8  à2.2.13€€€€€The€Architect€will€have€authority€to€reject€Work€which€does€not€conformÐ Uð Ðto€the€Contract€Documents.€€ÐEàÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà@\\$ìÐ Ð à*€€€€€*€€€€€*ˆÐ %À ÐÌà8  àARTICLE€13:€UNCOVERING€AND€CORRECTION€OF€WORKРРР ÐÌà8  à13.2à0` Ð Ð àCORRECTION€OF€WORKÐå€` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà8  à13.2.1€€€The€Contractor€shall€promptly€correct€all€Work€rejected€by€the€Architect€asÐ Å` Ðdefective€or€as€failing€to€conform€to€the€Contract€Documents€whether€observedÐ µP Ðbefore€or€after€Substantial€Completion€and€whether€or€not€fabricated,€installed€orÐ ¥@ Ðcompleted.€€The€Contractor€shall€bear€all€costs€of€correcting€such€rejected€Work,Ð •0 Ðincluding€compensation€for€the€Architectððs€additional€services€made€necessaryÐ …  Ðthereby.€Ðu!Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  à13.2.2€€€If,€within€one€year€after€the€Date€of€Substantial€Completion€of€the€Work€orÐ U#ð! Ðdesignated€portion€thereof€or€within€one€year€after€acceptance€by€the€Owner€ofÐ E$à" Ðdesignated€equipment€or€within€such€longer€period€of€time€as€may€be€prescribed€byÐ 5%Ð # Ðlaw€.€.€.€any€of€the€Work€is€found€to€be€defective€or€not€in€accordance€with€theÐ %&À!$ ÐContract€Documents,€the€Contractor€shall€correct€it€promptly€after€receipt€of€a€writtenÐ '°"% Ðnotice€from€the€Owner€to€do€so€unless€the€Owner€has€previously€given€the€ContractorÐ ( #& Ða€written€acceptance€of€such€condition.€€This€obligation€shall€survive€termination€ofÐ õ($' Ðthe€Contract.€€The€Owner€shall€give€such€notice€promptly€after€discovery€of€theÐ å)€%( Ðcondition.ÐÕ*p&)Ð Ð  ÐÐ  Å+`'* ÐThe€Owners€challenge€the€following€findings€of€the€master,€asserting€that€there€is€no€materialÐ e Ѐevidence€to€support€each€finding:€Ð Uð ÐÌòòà  àà ` àQUERY€2:óóÐ 5Ð ÐÌà8  àà ` àWhat€change€orders€were€agreed€to€and€signed€by€the€proper€persons?Ð °Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àòòà ` àFINDING€2:óóÐõ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€Master€ò òfindsó ó€that€the€first€change€order€was€signed€by€the€architect,Ð Õ p  ÐFuller[,]€the€contractor€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€and€the€owner€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô.€€Subsequent€change€orders€wereÐ Å `  Ðsigned€only€by€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€&€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô.€€There€were€two€change€orders€(Ref.€Ex.€61€and€62)Ð µP  Ðthat€the€architect€denied€signing.€€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€416€line€18€to€p.€418€line€20;€p.€432€lineÐ ¥@  Ð12„p.€434€line€7).€€However,€on€the€Applications€and€Certificate€for€Payment€for€theÐ •0  Ðperiod€04/20/83€to€05/30/83€the€architectððs€signature€on€06/10/83€was€not€questionedÐ …  Ðand€showed€change€orders€(1022)€totaling€$27,887.00€(Ref.€Ex.€6).€€ÐuÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àIn€addition€to€this€$27,887.00,€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€agreed€to€pay€for€the€following€changesÐ e Ðnot€previously€shown€in€Application€and€Certificate€For€Payments€(Ref.€6)ÐUðÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àChange€Order€#27€dated€04/14/83à0` x` xà€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€$485.00Ð5Ðxx Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à€€€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€244€line€7„11,€Ref.€Ex.€5)Ð%À` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àChange€Order€#€„€dated€05/03/83à0` x` xà€€€€€€à0pxxà€€€€€€€500.00аpxpx Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à€€€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€240€line€4„10,€Ref.€Ex.€5)Р` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àBrown€Sheet€of€Paper€Change€Orderà0` x` xà€€à0pxxà€€€€òò1,828.00óó€Ðõpxpx Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à€€€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€240€line€12„15,€Ref.€Ex.€19)€€€€€€€€à p àÐå€` x` x Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à€€€€2,813.00ÐÕpÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àPreviously€approved€Change€Orders€à0` x` xàà0pxxà€òò€27,887.00óóÐÅ`pxpx Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTOTAL€CHANGE€ORDERSà0` x` xàà0pxxà€€30,700.00еPpxpx ÐÌà8  àà@\\$ìÐ Ð à*€€€€€*€€€€€*ˆÐ •0 ÐÌà8  àòòà ` àQUERY€5:óóÐu!Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àWhat€amount€of€money€was€paid€by€the€Defendant€to€the€Plaintiff€pursuantÐ U#ð! Ðto€the€contract?ÐE$à"Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àòòà ` àFINDING€5:óóÐ%&À!$Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€Master€ò òfindsó ó€that€the€Defendant€paid€$313,868.00€to€the€Plaintiff.€€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.Ð ( #& Ðp.€341€line€24€„€p.€342€line€2;€Ref.€Ex.€9)Ðõ($'Ð Ð  ÐÌÌÐ Å+`'* Їà  àà ` àòòQUERY€6:óóÐ e ÐÌà8  àà ` àWere€these€payments€[progress€payments€to€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô]€made€when€they€wereÐ Eà Ðsupposed€to€be€made?Ð5ÐÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àòòFINDING€6:óóÐ °Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà8  àà h à*€€€€€*€€€€€*Ðõ ÈÈ ÐÌà8  àà ` àArticle€9.4.1€requires€the€architect€to€certify€the€application€for€paymentÐ Õ p  Ðwithin€seven€days€or€notify€the€contractor€of€reasons€for€referral€to€certify.€(Ref.€Ex.Ð Å `  Ð3)еP Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àArticle€9.5.1€provides€that€after€Architect€has€certified€the€application€forÐ •0  Ðpayment,€the€Owner€shall€make€payments€in€the€manner€and€within€the€timeÐ …  Ðprovided€in€the€Contract€Documents.€€(Ref.€Ex.€3)ÐuÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àArticle€5€PROGRESS€PAYMENTS€in€the€Standard€From€[sic]€of€AgreementÐ Uð ÐBetween€Owner€and€Contractor€(Ref.€Ex.€1)€provides€that€payment€should€be€notÐ Eà Ðlater€than€ten€days€following€the€end€of€the€period€covered€by€the€Application€ForÐ 5Ð ÐPayment€(Note:€this€is€the€same€as€the€billing€date€in€most€instances).€€The€MasterÐ %À Ðò òfindsó ó€that€the€following€payments€were€made€in€excess€of€the€ten€day€provision:Ð ° ÐApplication€#3€(6€days€late),€#4€(1€day€late),€#5€(22€days€late),€#6€(3€days€late),€#8Ð   Ð(4€days€late),€#9€(51€days€late),€#10€(17€days€late),€#12€(3€days€late),€#13€(60€daysÐ õ Ðlate)€#14€(20€days€late),€#17€(still€unpaid)Ðå€Ð Ð  ÐÌà@\\$ìà*€€€€€*€€€€€*ˆÐ Å` ÐÌòòò òà8  àà ` àóóó óòòQUERY€8:óóÐ¥@Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àDid€the€Plaintiff€perform€under€the€contract€what€was€supposed€to€be€doneÐ …  Ðunder€the€contract?Ðu!Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àòòFINDING€8:óóÐU#ð!Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€Master€ò òfindsó ó€that€Bill€Fuller,€Architect,€in€his€letter€of€August€22,€1983Ð 5%Ð # Ð(Ref.€Ex.€18)€indicated€that€he€would€issue€a€certificate€of€substantial€completionÐ %&À!$ Ðupon€the€completion€of€the€[22€items€quoted€above]€to€his€satisfactionòò€.€.€.€.€Ð'°"%Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àóóThe€Master€ò òfindsó ó€that€the€owner€filed€a€Notice€of€Completion€on€SeptemberÐ õ($' Ð13,€1983€in€the€Shelby€County€Registerððs€Office€which€was€recorded€as€InstrumentÐ å)€%( ÐNo.€U5€9321,€in€which€the€owner€states€that€he€rather€than€the€contractor€hasÐ Õ*p&) Ðsubstantially€completed€the€work.€€(Ref.€€Ex.€71).ÐÅ+`'*Ð Ð  Їà8  àà ` àòòQUERY€9:óóÐeÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àIf€the€Plaintiff€did€not€perform€what€was€supposed€to€be€done,€what€did€theÐ Eà ÐPlaintiff€do€or€not€do,€that€was€supposed€to€be€done€or€not€done?Ð5ÐÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àòòFINDING€9:óóÐ °Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àJ.€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€testified€that€he€did€not€recall€or€did€not€complete€the€architectððsÐ õ  Ðpunch€list€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€123€line€19„€p.€128€line€1).Ðå €Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àB.€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€testified€that€he€personally€completed€some€of€the€items€on€theÐ Å `  Ðpunch€list€and€that€the€subcontractors€completed€other€items.€€He€further€testified€thatÐ µP  Ðsince€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€paid€the€subs€their€Ô_ÔretainageÔ_Ô,€the€subs€were€not€inclined€to€return€to€theÐ ¥@  Ðjob€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€148€line€3€„€p.€152€line€24).€€Ð•0 Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àD.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€testified€regarding€the€punch€list:€ò òó óÐuÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àò òExpenses€allowed€by€Master„ÐUðÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àà ¸ àó óClean€Ô_ÔskyliteÔ_Ô€[sic]„Lincoln€Glass€10/10/83à0ÈÐ Ð à$392Ð5ÐÈÐ ÈÐ  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ à(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€266€line€1„21,€Ref.€Ex.€48)Ð%ÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àò òExpenses€disallowed€by€Master„€(failed€to€carry€burden€of€proof)ó óРРР ÐÌà8  àà ` àà ¸ àInstall€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô„Sears€9/24/83Ðå€Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ à(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€267€line€11„18,€Ref.€Ex.€50)ÐÕpÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ àClean€all€trash€from€siteÐÅ`Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ à(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€268€line€13„18,€Ref.€Ex.€52)еPÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ àComplete€Cabinets„estimated€costÐ¥@Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ à(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€286€line€11„21)Е0Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ àInstall€Intercom€SystemÐ… Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ à(system€was€installed€but€did€not€workÐu!Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ àÔ_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€282€line€19€„€p.€283€line€7)Ðe" Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ àPart€of€punch€list€&€part€for€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€ÐU#ð!Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àà ¸ àÔ_ÔHimmerÔ_Ô€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€271€line€15„€p.€276€line€24,€Ref.€Ex.€56€I.D.)ÐE$à"Ð Ð  ÐÌà@\\$ìà*€€€€€*€€€€€*ˆÐ %&À!$ ÐÌà8  àà ` àòòQUERY€14:Ð( #&Ð Ð  ÐóóÌà8  àà ` àWhat€is€the€nature,€extent€and€character€of€any€defects€in€workmanshipÐ å)€%( Ðattributable€to€the€Plaintiff?ÐÕ*p&)Ð Ð  ÐÐ Å+`'* Їà8  àà ` àòòFINDING€14:óóÐeÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThere€was€voluminous€testimony€on€defects:ÐEàÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àa)€Repair€of€solar€panels€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€250„256);Ð5ÐÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àb)€Replace€dirt€&€sod€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€257„260);Ð%ÀÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àc)€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€equipment€tore€up€ground€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€258);Ð °Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àd)€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€equipment€tore€up€driveway€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€262„265);Ð  Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àe)€Repair€Ô_ÔskyliteÔ_Ô€[sic]€leak€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€266);Ðõ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àf)€Ô_ÔIcemakerÔ_Ô€never€furnished€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€267);Ðå €Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àg)€Roof€leak€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€268);ÐÕ p Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àh)€Trash€at€site€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€268„270);ÐÅ ` Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àÔ_ÔiÔ_Ô)€Failure€to€pay€for€door€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€271);еP Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àj)€Failure€to€complete€punch€list€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€271„276);Ð¥@ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àk)€Repair€intercom€system€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€282„283)Е0 Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà0` Ð Ð àl)€Honeycombs€in€concrete€exterior€walls€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€45,€93,€130,€279,€402,Ð …  Ð405„407);Ðu` Ð ` Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àm)€Honeycombs€in€concrete€interior€walls€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€403„404,€408„409);ÐeÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àn)€Concrete€floor€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€283„284,€400„402,€407„408);ÐUðÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` ào)€Cabinets€not€stained€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€286);ÐEàÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àp)€Concrete€around€pool€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€410„411).Ð5ÐÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€Master€ò òdisallowsó ó€these€claims€[based€on€the€Application€andÐ ° ÐCertification€for€Payment€signed€by€the€architect€(Application€#16)€on€6/10/83€(Ref.Ð   ÐEx.€6)€which€indicates€that€the€project€was€substantially€complete€and€from€theÐ õ Ðarchitectððs€punch€list€(Ref.€Ex.€18)€which€does€not€show€these€items;€the€DefendantÐ å€ Ðalso€did€not€carry€his€burden€of€proving€damages]€except€for€those€itemized€inÐ Õp Ðfinding€9.ÐÅ`Ð Ð  ÐÌà@CC#ìà*€€€€€*€€€€€*€ˆÐ ¥@ ÐÌà8  àà ` àòòQUERY€15€a€(Revised):Ð… Ð Ð  ÐóóÌà8  àà ` àIf€any€defects€existed€in€the€work€after€Plaintiffs€stopped€work,€did€PlaintiffsÐ e"  Ðcure€them?ÐU#ð!Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àòòFINDINGS€15€a:óóÐ5%Ð #Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àBrooks€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€testified€that€he€or€the€Subcontractors€corrected€or€tried€toÐ '°"% Ðcorrect€the€defects€noted€on€the€architectððs€punch€list€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€147„153,€Ref.€Ex.€18),Ð ( #& Ðhowever,€the€Masterò ò€findsó ó€that€no€ð ðofficialðð€written€acceptance€was€produced€byÐ õ($' Ðeither€party.Ðå)€%(Ð Ð  ÐÌÐ Å+`'* Їà@CC#ìà*€€€€€*€€€€€*€ˆÐ e ÐÌà8  àà ` àòòQUERY€20:óóÐEàÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àWhat€amount€of€money€does€the€Defendant€owe€the€Plaintiff,€or€in€theÐ %À Ðalternative,€what€amount€of€money€does€the€Plaintiff€owe€the€Defendant?€€Give€theÐ  ° Ðreasons.Ð  Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àòòFINDING€20:óóÐå €Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àBased€on€Application€#16€of€the€Application€and€Certification€for€PaymentÐ Å `  Ð(Ref.€Ex.€6),€the€Master€ò òfindsó ó€that€ÐµP Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àContract€Sumà0Ð Ð àà0hÐ Ð àà0ÀhÐ hÐ àà0ÀÐ ÀÐ àà0pÐ Ð àà0ÈpÐ pÐ à$328,000Е0 ÈÐ ÈÐ  Ðà8  àà ` àChange€ordersà0hÐ Ð àà0ÀhÐ hÐ àà0ÀÐ ÀÐ àà0pÐ Ð àà0ÈpÐ pÐ à€€€€òò27,887óóÐ… ÈÐ ÈÐ  Ðà8  àà ` àTotalà0¸ Ð Ð àà0¸ Ð ¸ Ð àà0hÐ Ð àà0ÀhÐ hÐ àà0ÀÐ ÀÐ àà0pÐ Ð àà0ÈpÐ pÐ à$355,887ÐuÈÐ ÈÐ  Ðà8  àà ` àLess:€Payments€(Schedule€A)€€€€€€€€$313,868ÐeÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à€€€€€€€€€Payments€Allowed€(Finding€9)€€€€€€392ÐUðÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à€€€€€€€€€Payments€to€Subs€(Finding€10)€òò19,789óóà0pÐ Ð àà0ÈpÐ pÐ à€òò334,049óóÐEàÈÐ ÈÐ  Ðà8  àà ` àò òTotal€Due€Plaintiffsà0hÐ Ð àà0ÀhÐ hÐ àà0ÀÐ ÀÐ àà0pÐ Ð àà0ÈpÐ pÐ à€$21,838ó óÐ5ÐÈÐ ÈÐ  ÐÌà8  àà@\\$ìÐ Ð à*€€€€€*€€€€€*ˆÐ ° ÐÌà8  àà ` àòòQUERY€22€(Revised):óóÐõÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àWhen€the€Defendant€moved€into€the€house,€what€defects,€if€any,€remained?ÐÕpÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àòòFINDING€22:óóеPÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àThe€Master€ò òfindsó ó€that€the€following€defects€had€not€been€remedied,€howeverÐ •0 Ðthe€Defendant€failed€to€carry€his€burden€of€proving€damages:Ð… Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàClean€Ô_Ôskylite[sicÔ_Ô]„Lincoln€Glass€10/10/83Ðu!¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€266€line€1„21,€Ref.€Ex.€48)Ðe" ¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàInstall€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô„Sears€9/24/83ÐU#ð!¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€267€line€11„18,€Ref.€Ex.€50)ÐE$à"¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàClean€all€trash€from€siteÐ5%Ð #¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€268€line€13„18,€Ref.€Ex.€52)Ð%&À!$¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàComplete€Cabinets„estimated€costÐ'°"%¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€286€line€11„21)Ð( #&¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàInstall€Intercom€SystemÐõ($'¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xà(system€was€installed€but€did€not€workÐå)€%(¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàÔ_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€282€line€19€„€p.€283€line€7)ÐÕ*p&)¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàPart€of€punch€list€&€part€for€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_ÔÐÅ+`'*¸ ¸  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàÔ_ÔHimmerÔ_Ô€(Ô_ÔTrcpÔ_Ô.€p.€271€line€15„€p.€276€line€24,€Ref.€Ex.Ð e Ð56€I.D.)ÐU𸠸  ÐÌò òòòó óóóÓ ÓWe€will€address€each€challenged€finding€to€determine€whether€there€is€material€evidence€to€supportÐ 5Ð Ðthe€concurrent€finding€of€the€master€and€the€chancellor.òòò òÐ %À ÐObjection€to€findings€number€2€&€5ó óóóÐ    Ðà  àThe€Owners€argue€that€finding€numbers€2€and€5€are€erroneous€because€finding€number€2Ð å € Ðspecifically€charges€the€Owners€with€a€$1,828€change€order€(referred€to€as€the€ð ðBrown€Sheet€ofÐ Õ p  ÐPaper€Change€Orderðð)€for€the€installation€of€gold€mirrors,€but€finding€number€5€fails€to€give€theÐ Å `  ÐOwners€credit€for€the€Ô_ÔuncontrovertedÔ_Ô€$1,650€payment€for€the€mirrors€made€on€July€11,€1983.€€ò òó óTheÐ µP  ÐContractor€does€not€dispute€that€the€Owners€should€be€credited€for€this€payment,€so€long€as€theÐ ¥@  Ðcorresponding€change€order€is€included€as€a€valid€cost.€€Therefore,€because€the€Owners€are€chargedÐ •0  Ðfor€the€ð ðBrown€Sheet€of€Paper€Change€Orderðð€in€finding€number€2,€they€should€be€credited€with€theÐ …  Ð$1,650€payment€in€finding€number€5.€€There€being€no€dispute€about€this€credit€to€the€Owners,€weÐ u Ðfind€that€there€is€no€material€evidence€to€support€the€concurrent€finding€of€the€special€master€and€theÐ e Ðchancellor€on€this€issue,€and€hold€that€the€Owners€should€be€credited€$1,650€for€this€item.€€òòò òÐ Uð ÐObjection€to€finding€number€6ó óóóÐ 5Ð Ðà  àAs€to€finding€number€6,€the€Owners€complain€that,€although€the€master€found€that€certainÐ ° Ðprogress€payments€were€untimely,€he€did€not€indicate€whether€the€failure€to€pay€was€justified€orÐ   Ðunjustified.€€No€damages€are€alleged€to€have€resulted€from€the€delay€in€payment.€€Consequently,€thisÐ õ Ðissue€is€without€merit.€€Ð å€ Ðòòò òObjection€to€findings€number€8€&€14ó óóóÐ Å` ÐÔ‡X± XXXêÔà  àIn€the€August€22€letter€quoted€above,€Fuller€made€a€list€of€defects€that,€in€his€opinion,€neededÐ ¥@ Ðto€be€remedied€by€the€Contractors€before€the€job€would€be€ð ðsubstantially€complete.ðð€€The€OwnersÐ ‘, Ðargue€that€in€findings€number€8€and€14,€the€master€assumed€that€the€August€22€letter€was€anÐ }  Ðexhaustive€ð ðpunch€listðð€of€all€defects€as€of€the€date€of€the€letter,€and€that€all€defects€omitted€from€theÐ i! Ðlist€were€either€not€cured€or€were€not€the€Contractorððs€responsibility.€€The€Owners€argue€that€theÐ U"ð  Ðmasterððs€assumption€in€this€regard€was€erroneous,€and€that€the€disallowance€of€any€expense€simplyÐ A#Ü! Ðbecause€the€defect€was€not€listed€in€the€August€22€letter€should€be€reconsidered.Ð -$È" Ðà  àContrary€to€the€Ownersðð€assertion,€the€record€reflects€that€the€master€did€not€specificallyÐ & !$ Ðdetermine€that€the€August€22€letter€was€intended€to€be€an€exhaustive€list€of€defects,€or€that€the€costÐ ñ&Œ"% Ðto€remedy€defects€that€were€omitted€from€the€list€should€be€automatically€disallowed.€€Rather,€theÐ Ý'x#& Ðmaster€noted€that€certain€defects€were€or€were€not€on€the€list,€and€he€considered€that€fact€as€probativeÐ É(d$' Ðevidence€of€whether€Fuller€deemed€the€curing€of€that€defect€as€necessary€for€the€ð ðsubstantialÐ µ)P%( Ðcompletionðð€of€the€project.€€Therefore,€if€the€existence€of€a€defect€is€disputed,€the€omission€of€thatÐ ¡*<&) Ðdefect€from€the€August€22€letter€would€be€relevant€to€show€that€Fuller€did€not€consider€it€necessaryÐ +('* Ðto€remedy€that€defect€at€the€time€the€letter€was€written.€€However,€if€the€evidence€is€undisputed€thatÐ e Ða€particular€defect€existed€and€that€the€Contractor€was€responsible€for€curing€it,€the€fact€that€theÐ Qì Ðdefect€was€not€included€in€the€August€22€letter€is€irrelevant.€€At€this€juncture,€then,€we€find€that€theÐ =Ø Ðmasterððs€findings€number€8€and€14€were€not€generally€erroneous.€€We€will€later€address€the€specificsÐ )Ä Ðregarding€certain€items€of€reimbursement€claimed€by€the€Owners.€€Ð ° ÐÔ#†XêX XX±¥£#Ôò òòòObjection€to€finding€number€9ó óóóÐ í ˆ Ðà  àThe€Owners€assert€that€there€is€no€material€evidence€to€support€the€masterððs€allowance€ofÐ Í h Ð$392€for€having€the€skylight€cleaned€by€Lincoln€Glass,€and€at€the€same€time€disallowing€five€otherÐ ½ X  Ðitems€for€which€the€evidence€was€substantially€similar.€€In€finding€number€9,€the€master€disallowedÐ ­ H  Ðthe€Owners€credit€for€installing€an€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô,€cleaning€trash€from€the€site,€staining€the€inside€ofÐ 8  Ðcabinets,€repairing€the€intercom€system,€and€for€money€paid€to€a€subcontractor€for€makingÐ (  Ðmiscellaneous€repairs.€€Regarding€those€items,€without€elaboration,€the€master€noted€that€the€OwnersÐ }  Ðð ðfailed€to€carry€[their]€burden€of€proof€with€respect€to€these€items.ððÐ m  Ðà  àa.€€Installing€an€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô€„€$644.09Ð Mè Ðà  àIt€is€undisputed€that€an€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô€was€not€installed€by€the€Contractor,€and€that€the€contractÐ -È Ðspecifications€provided€for€an€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô€to€be€installed.€€Fullerððs€August€22€letter€notified€theÐ ¸ ÐContractor€that€it€needed€to€ð ð[Ô_Ôi]nstallÔ_Ô€the€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô€with€pump€at€the€bar.ðð€€Moreover,€it€is€undisputedÐ  ¨ Ðthat€the€Owners€purchased€an€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô€on€approximately€September€24,€1983,€for€$644.09,€and€theÐ ý˜ ÐOwnersðð€check€for€that€purchase€was€entered€into€the€record.€€€Ð íˆ Ðà  àThe€Contractor€claims€that,€due€to€a€mistake€by€the€architect,€the€particular€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_ÔÐ Íh Ðspecified€in€the€contract€was€not€available€at€the€time€the€house€was€being€built.€Ô‡X± XXXêÔIn€its€brief,€theÐ ½X ÐContractor€cites€the€testimony€of€James€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€to€support€their€claim€that€ð ðsomething€elseðð€wasÐ ½X Ðsubstituted€in€lieu€of€the€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô.€€However,€the€testimony€to€which€the€Contractor€refers€pertainsÐ ©D Ðto€a€refrigerator,€not€an€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô.€€Furthermore,€when€questioned€about€whether€his€company€hadÐ •0 Ðinstalled€the€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô,€James€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€replied,€ð ðI€donððt€believe€that€was€done.ðð€€Ô#†XêX XX±‡´#ÔThus,€we€find€noÐ  Ðmaterial€evidence€to€support€the€masterððs€finding,€adopted€by€the€chancellor,€that€the€Ô_ÔicemakerÔ_Ô€wasÐ   Ðprovided€to€the€Owners.€€Consequently,€the€$644.09€cost€of€this€item€should€be€credited€to€theÐ q!  ÐOwners.€€€€€€€€Ð a"ü  Ðà  àb.€€Cleaning€trash€from€the€site€„€$200Ð A$Ü" Ðà  àIn€the€proceedings€before€the€master,€the€Owners€asserted€that€the€Contractor€did€not€cleanÐ !&¼!$ Ðup€the€site,€and€the€testimony€of€James€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€was€consistent€with€that€assertion.€€The€OwnersÐ '¬"% Ðsubmitted€into€evidence€photographs€of€the€trash€and€debris€that€remained€outdoors€on€the€projectÐ (œ#& Ðsite€after€most€of€the€construction€had€taken€place.€€The€record€also€includes€a€check€for€$200€fromÐ ñ(Œ$' Ðthe€Owners€ò òó óto€Bobby€Smith€for€cleaning€up€the€site.€€The€Contractor€contends€that€it€was€unable€toÐ á)|%( Ðclean€up€the€site€because€James€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€was€prohibited€from€entering€the€property€after€the€ð ðfistÐ Ñ*l&) Ðfightðð€in€July€1983.€€It€is€undisputed,€however,€that€Brooks€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€was€never€prohibited€fromÐ Á+\'* Ðentering€the€property.€€He€testified€that,€after€the€incident,€he€and€other€employees€of€the€ContractorÐ e Ðentered€the€premises€to€try€to€resolve€the€issues€raised€in€the€August€22€letter.€€There€is€no€allegationÐ Uð Ðthat€Brooks€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô,€on€behalf€of€the€Contractor,€was€unable€to€perform€the€necessary€clean€up.€TheÐ Eà Ðclean„up€task€was€listed€in€the€August€22€letter€as€an€item€that€should€have€been€done€by€theÐ 5Ð ÐContractor.€€Under€these€circumstances,€we€conclude€that€there€is€no€material€evidence€to€supportÐ %À Ðthe€disallowance€of€this€item.€€Thus,€the€Owners€should€be€credited€$200.Ð  ° Ðà  àc.€€Staining€inside€of€cabinets€„€$1,300Ð õ  Ðà  àThe€Owners€claim€that€the€Contractor€was€responsible€for€having€the€inside€of€the€cabinetsÐ Õ p  Ðstained,€and€attributed€an€estimated€cost€of€$1,300€to€this€task.€€The€August€22€letter€specificallyÐ Å `  Ðlisted€ð ð[Ô_Ôc]ompleteÔ_Ô€cabinetsðð€as€one€of€the€defects€to€be€corrected.€€However,€the€Owners€submittedÐ µP  Ðonly€the€testimony€of€David€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€on€his€estimate€for€the€item,€with€no€indications€of€theÐ ¥@  Ðspecifications€for€the€task€or€evidence€corroborating€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ôðð€estimate.€€The€master€found€that€theÐ •0  ÐOwners€had€not€carried€their€burden€of€proof€on€this€item€and,€accordingly,€disallowed€it.€€We€cannotÐ …  Ðconclude€that€there€is€no€material€evidence€to€support€the€materððs€conclusion,€adopted€by€theÐ u Ðchancellor.Ð e Ðà  àd.€€Repairing€intercom€system€„€$392.70Ð Eà Ðà  àIt€is€undisputed€that€the€Contractor€had€an€intercom€system€installed,€and€that€the€intercomÐ %À Ðsystem€did€not€work€properly€when€the€Contractor€left€the€job.€€The€August€22€letter€listed€ð ð[Ô_Ôi]nstallÔ_ÔÐ ° Ðintercom€system€in€livingroomðð€as€unfinished€business.€€David€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€testified€that€he€hired€AcmeÐ   ÐSales€Company€to€repair€the€intercom,€and€that€he€paid€them€$392.70€for€that€work.€€However,€theÐ õ Ðrecord€contains€no€evidence€about€the€reason€the€system€malfunctioned.€€The€Owners€did€not€submitÐ å€ Ðany€corroborating€evidence,€such€as€a€canceled€check€or€invoice,€regarding€the€amount€paid,€toÐ Õp Ðwhom€it€was€paid,€and€the€service€that€was€performed.€€Under€these€circumstances,€we€find€that€thereÐ Å` Ðwas€material€evidence€to€support€the€masterððs€decision€to€disallow€this€item€for€lack€of€proof.€€€€Ð µP Ðà  àe.€€To€Ô_ÔHimmerÔ_Ô€for€completing€items€on€punch€list€„€$1,563.36Ð •0 Ðà  àThis€claim€is€based€on€two€payments€made€by€the€Owners€to€Roy€Ô_ÔHimmerÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔtotallingÔ_ÔÐ u! Ð$1,563.36,€allegedly€for€his€efforts€to€complete€items€that€needed€to€be€finished€on€the€house.€Ð e"  ÐHowever,€the€record€contains€no€evidence€of€what€tasks€were€performed€by€Ô_ÔHimmerÔ_Ô,€and€whetherÐ U#ð! Ðthose€tasks€were€the€responsibility€of€the€Contractor€or€the€Owner.€€Ô_ÔHimmerÔ_Ô€did€not€testify,€and€theÐ E$à" Ðrecord€includes€no€bill€to€show€what€work€Ô_ÔHimmerÔ_Ô€performed.€€Consequently,€we€find€that€there€wasÐ 5%Ð # Ðmaterial€evidence€to€support€the€masterððs€decision€to€disallow€this€item€for€lack€of€proof.€€Ð %&À!$ Ðò òòòObjection€to€finding€number€14óóó óÐ ( #& Ðà  àIn€query€number€14,€the€master€was€asked€about€the€defects€in€workmanship€attributable€toÐ å)€%( Ðthe€Contractor.€€The€master€listed€sixteen€defects€that€were€alleged€by€the€Owners,€but€he€disallowedÐ Õ*p&) Ðeach€of€those€claims€ð ðbased€on€the€Application€and€Certification€for€Payment€signed€by€the€architect€Ð Å+`'* Ð(Application€#16)€on€6/10/83€.€.€.€which€indicates€that€the€project€was€substantially€complete€andÐ e Ðfrom€the€architectððs€punch€list€.€.€.€which€does€not€show€these€items;€the€Defendant€also€did€not€carryÐ Uð Ð[their]€burden€of€proving€damagesðð€with€respect€to€the€sixteen€items.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€Owners€claim€that€theÐ Eà Ðmaster€erred€in€disallowing€some€of€these€claims,€and€also€in€neglecting€to€mention€their€claims€forÐ 5Ð Ðrepairing€a€heat€pump€($743.90)€and€for€waterproofing€materials€($54.24).€€€€Ð %À ÐÔ‡X± XXXêÔà  àa.€€Undisputed€ItemsÐ    Ðà  àThe€evidence€is€undisputed€that€the€Owners€incurred€expenses€in€repairing€solar€panels,Ð Ý x Ðrepairing€the€skylight€leak,€and€installing€an€exterior€door.€€The€evidence€is€also€undisputed€that€theseÐ É d  Ðitems€were€the€responsibility€of€the€Contractor.€€It€appears€that€the€masterððs€only€basis€forÐ µ P  Ðdisallowing€the€Owners€their€expenses€related€to€curing€these€defects€was€the€fact€that€the€defectsÐ ¡<  Ðwere€not€listed€in€the€August€22€ð ðpunch€list.ðð€€As€noted€above,€the€master€did€not€specifically€findÐ (  Ðthat€the€August€22€letter€was€intended€to€be€an€exhaustive€list€of€defects.€€Consequently,€where€it€isÐ y  Ðundisputed€that€the€defect€exists€and€that€the€expense€for€remedying€the€defect€is€necessary,€theÐ e  Ðomission€of€a€defect€from€the€August€22€letter€is€not€relevant.€€There€is€no€other€material€evidenceÐ Qì  Ðto€support€the€conclusion€of€the€master€and€chancellor€to€disallow€these€items.€€Therefore,€we€mustÐ =Ø Ðreverse€with€respect€to€the€following:€€(1)€repair€of€solar€panels,€$378.87;€(2)€repair€of€skylight€leak,Ð )Ä Ð$500.58;€and€(3)€failure€to€pay€for€door,€$152.97.€€Accordingly,€the€Owners€should€be€creditedÐ ° Ð$1,032.42€for€curing€those€defects.€€€€Ô#†XêX XX±íÏ#Ôò òó óÐ œ Ðà  àb.€€Repair€roof€leak€and€waterproofing€materials€„€$250.00€and€$54.24Ð Ùt Ðà  àDavid€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€testified€that€he€paid€Kermit€Buck€$250€to€repair€the€leak€in€the€roof€and€paidÐ ¹T ÐÔ_ÔStyroÔ_Ô€Floral€$54.24€for€waterproofing€material€related€to€that€repair.€€The€evidence€shows€that€theÐ ©D Ðcheck€to€Buck€was€written€on€January€8,€1985,€and€the€waterproofing€material€was€purchased€inÐ ™4 ÐNovember€of€1984.€€According€to€the€contract,€if€ð ðwithin€one€year€after€the€Date€of€SubstantialÐ ‰$ ÐCompletion€of€the€work€.€.€.€any€of€the€Work€is€found€to€be€defective€or€not€in€accordance€with€theÐ y ÐContract€Documents,€the€Contractor€shall€correct€it€promptly€after€receipt€of€a€written€notice€fromÐ i Ðthe€Owner.ðð€€The€roof€leak€was€not€included€as€an€existing€defect€in€the€August€22€letter.€€Further,Ð Yô Ðthere€is€no€evidence€that€this€defect€was€found€within€the€year€after€substantial€completion,€nor€isÐ I ä Ðthere€evidence€that€the€Contractor€ever€received€notice€of€this€defect.€€Under€these€circumstances,Ð 9!Ô Ðwe€find€that€there€was€material€evidence€to€support€the€masterððs€conclusion€that€the€Owners€failedÐ )"Ä  Ðto€sustain€their€burden€on€this€claim.€€Ð #´! Ðà  à4.€€Honeycombs€in€concrete€exterior€walls€„€$8,300;€honeycombs€in€concrete€interior€walls€„Ð ù$” # Ðâ â$4,609.Ð é%„!$ Ðà  àThe€Owners€claim€that€the€Contractor€was€responsible€for€curing€defective€lines,€calledÐ e Ðâ âð ðhoneycombs,ðð€in€the€exterior€concrete€walls.€€The€evidence€is€undisputed€that€the€ContractorÐ Uð Ðdiscontinued€work€on€the€job€without€completely€repairing€those€walls,€even€though€it€had€stated€inÐ Eà Ða€letter€dated€April€11,€1983€that€it€would€patch€the€concrete€ð ðat€an€appropriate€time€prior€to€the€jobÐ 5Ð Ðbeing€considered€ððsubstantially€completeðð€and€in€compliance€with€the€contract.ðð€€This€defect€is€notÐ %À Ðlisted€in€the€August€22€letter€as€being€important€for€substantial€completion,€but€Fuller€testified€beforeÐ  ° Ðthe€master€that€some€of€the€honeycombing€on€the€exterior€walls€was€ð ðhorrible.ðð€€He€suggested€thatÐ    Ðthe€best€way€to€cure€the€defect€would€be€to€pour€concrete€over€the€existing€wall,€which€he€estimatedÐ õ  Ðwould€cost€approximately€$8,300.€€No€formal€quote€was€submitted€into€evidence.Ð å € Ðà  àWith€respect€to€the€interior€walls,€Fuller€testified€before€the€master€that€the€walls€wereÐ Å `  Ðð ðobviously€defectiveðð€because€of€honeycombing€and€discoloration,€and€that€it€would€cost€$4,609.00Ð µP  Ðto€remedy€the€defects.€€The€Owners€submitted€no€photographs€of€the€inside€walls,€nor€was€anyÐ ¥@  Ðformal€estimate€obtained€to€support€their€position.€Ð •0  ÐÔ‡X± XXXêÔà  àThe€evidence€submitted€to€the€master€on€this€is€disputed€regarding€the€appropriate€remedyÐ u Ðfor€honeycombs;€there€was€testimony€that€pouring€concrete€over€the€wall€would€be€best,€and€otherÐ aü Ðtestimony€that€patching€the€walls€would€be€the€most€appropriate€remedy.€€The€record€contains€noÐ Mè Ðevidence€of€the€cost€of€patching.€€Moreover,€despite€Fullerððs€testimony€on€the€severity€of€theÐ 9Ô Ðhoneycombing,€the€defects€were€not€listed€in€his€August€22€letter.€€Under€these€circumstances,€thereÐ %À Ðis€material€evidence€to€support€the€conclusion€of€the€master€and€the€chancellor€that€the€Owners€failedÐ ¬ Ðto€carry€the€burden€of€proof€on€these€items.Ô#†XêX XX± â#ÔÐ ý˜ Ðà  à5.€€Repair€defects€in€concrete€floor€„€$32,544.25Ð Õp Ðà  àDavid€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€testified€that€the€concrete€floors€were€to€be€scored€after€pouring,€forming€twoÐ µP Ðfoot€squares€resembling€a€checkerboard€across€the€room.€€When€the€floor€was€colored€and€waxed,Ð ¥@ Ðit€was€to€look€like€marble€or€some€other€type€of€inlaid€floor.€€Both€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€and€Fuller€testified€that€theÐ •0 Ðjob€was€defective€because€the€Contractor€allowed€the€concrete€to€harden€too€much€prior€to€theÐ …  Ðscoring,€and€as€a€result€the€workers€chipped€the€floor€rather€than€cutting€smooth,€even€lines.€€TheyÐ u Ðattempted€to€patch€the€floor,€but€the€patching€allegedly€caused€discoloring€and€damaged€flooring.€Ð e  ÐFuller€estimated€that€the€cost€to€repair€this€defect€would€be€$32,544.25,€because€a€whole€new€layerÐ U!ð Ðof€floor€would€need€to€be€poured€and€Ô_ÔrescoredÔ_Ô.€€Ð E"à  Ðà  àAt€the€hearing€before€the€master,€no€photographs€were€submitted€to€illustrate€how€the€floorsÐ %$À" Ðwere€defective,€and€there€was€no€formal€estimate€from€a€contractor€who€would€perform€such€a€task.€Ð %° # ÐAs€with€the€walls,€Fuller€did€not€list€this€large„ticket€item€in€his€August€22€letter,€and€therefore€atÐ & !$ Ðthat€time€must€not€have€found€the€defect€to€have€been€critical€to€achieving€substantial€completion.€Ð õ&"% ÐThat€omission€is€inconsistent€with€his€later€testimony€that€the€floors€needed€a€complete€overhaul.€Ð å'€#& ÐUnder€these€circumstances,€we€find€that€there€is€material€evidence€to€support€the€disallowance€of€thisÐ Õ(p$' Ðclaim€for€repair.€€Ð Å)`%( Ðà  à6.€€Repairing€heat€pump€„€$743.90Ð ¥+@'* Ðà  àThe€Owners€claim€that€they€paid€Diamond€Services€$743.90€between€January€and€May€ofÐ e Ð1985€to€repair€the€heat€pump€in€the€house.€€David€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€testified€that€he€paid€a€total€of€$716.91€forÐ Uð Ðthis€purpose,€and€there€is€some€discrepancy€between€the€testimony€and€the€documentary€evidence.€Ð Eà ÐFrom€the€record,€it€appears€that€this€expense€was€incurred€after€the€one„year€period,€and€theÐ 5Ð ÐContractor€received€no€notice€of€this€defect€prior€to€one€year€after€substantial€completion.€€Moreover,Ð %À Ðthis€defect€was€not€among€those€listed€in€the€August€22€letter.€€Consequently,€we€find€that€there€isÐ  ° Ðmaterial€evidence€to€support€the€conclusion€of€the€master€and€the€chancellor€that€the€Owners€failedÐ    Ðto€sustain€their€burden€of€proof€on€this€claim.€Ð õ  Ðà  àIn€sum,€the€assessment€of€the€total€amount€due€to€the€Contractor€in€this€case€is€modified€toÐ Õ p  Ðthe€following:ò òó óÐ Å `  ÐÓ Óà  àContract€Sumà0 ¸ àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#à€€€€€€€€$328,000.00Ð¥@ È(#È(# Ðà  àChange€Orders€€€à0  àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#à€€€€€€€€€€à0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#àà0 È(#È(#àòò30,700.00׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×óóЕ0  (# (# Ðà  àTotalà0 ` àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#à€€€€€€€€€€358,700.00à0Ð È(#È(#àÐ… Ð (#Ð (# Ðà  àLess:à0 ` àPayments€(Application€No.€16)€€€€€€€€$313,868.00Ðu` (#` (# Ðà  àà ` àPayments€allowed€to€OwnersÐ e Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àCleaning€of€Skylight€(Finding€9)€€€392.00Ð Uð Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àGold€Mirrorà0 h àà0Àh(#h(#à€€€€€€€à0À(#À(#à€€€€€1,650.00€€ÐEà(#(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àÔ_ÔIcemakerÔ_Ôà0 h àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#à€€€€€€€€644.09Ð5Ð(#(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àClean€up€trashà0 À àà0À(#À(#à€€€€€€€€200.00à È àÐ%À(#(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àRepair€solar€panelsà0 À àà0À(#À(#à€€€€€€€€378.87а(#(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àRepair€skylight€leakà0 À àà0À(#À(#à€€€€€€€€500.58Р(#(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àDoor€à0  àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#à€€€€€€€€152.97Ðõ(#(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àPayments€to€Subs€(Finding€10)€€19,789.00à0 È à€€€€€€€€€€òò337,575.51óóÐå€È(#È(# ÐÌà  àTotal€Due€Contractorà0  àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#à€€€€€€€€€€$21,124.49à0Ð È(#È(#àà0@Ð x(#x(#àà0@Ð x(#x(#àà0@Ð x(#x(#àà @Ð àÐÅ`Ð (#Ð (# ÐÌÓ Óà  àAs€a€final€matter,€both€parties€dispute€the€chancellorððs€award€of€prejudgment€interest.€Ð ¥@ ÐGenerally,€the€appellate€court€will€not€overturn€a€trial€courtððs€finding€of€prejudgment€interest€unlessÐ •0 Ðthe€trial€court€has€abused€its€discretion.€€òòò òÔ_ÔAlexandarÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔInmanÔ_Ôó óóó,€974€S.W.2d€689,€698€(Tenn.€1998).€Ð …  Ѐòòóóà  àThe€chancellor€awarded€the€Contractor€a€flat€amount€of€$12,000€in€prejudgment€interest,Ð e"  Ðð ðtaking€into€consideration€the€fact€that€the€case€has€been€pending€for€approximately€17€years€and€thatÐ U#ð! Ðthe€Special€Master€had€the€matter€under€advisement€for€7€years.€€The€Court€feels€that€the€defendantsÐ E$à" Ðshould€not€be€taxed€with€interest€during€the€entire€period€the€suit€was€pending.ðð€€Ð 5%Ð # Ðà  àThe€Contractor€argues€that€the€chancellor€erred€in€limiting€the€prejudgment€interest€toÐ '°"% Ð$12,000,€because€the€AIA€Contract€provides€specifically€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôp]aymentsÔ_Ô€due€and€unpaid€under€theÐ ( #& ÐContract€Documents,€shall€bear€interest€from€the€date€payment€is€due€.€.€.€.ðð€€AIA€Contract€ðð7.8.€Ð õ($' ÐInstead,€the€Contractor€claims,€the€trial€court€should€have€awarded€prejudgment€interest€from€theÐ e Ðdate€the€payments€were€due,€approximately€seventeen€years€prior,€which€would€amount€toÐ Uð Ðapproximately€$39,000€in€this€case.€€Where€prejudgment€interest€is€provided€for€in€a€contract,€theÐ Eà ÐContractor€argues,€that€provision€€must€be€enforced€without€weighing€any€equitable€considerations.€Ð 5Ð Ðòòò òó óóóBecause€the€contract€in€this€case€included€a€provision€regarding€interest€due€on€unpaid€debts,€theÐ %À ÐContractor€urges€this€Court€to€find€that€the€provision€requires€an€award€of€prejudgment€interestÐ  ° Ðð ðfrom€the€date€payment€[was]€due.ðð€€AIA€Contract€ðð7.8.€€Ð    Ðà  àThe€Owners€argue€on€appeal€that€the€chancellor€erred€in€awarding€any€amount€ofÐ å € Ðprejudgment€interest.€€They€argue€that€the€contractual€provision€cited€by€the€Owners€is€notÐ Õ p  Ðapplicable,€and€that€òòò òó óóóTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€47„14„123€governs€the€award€of€prejudgmentÐ Å `  Ðinterest€in€this€case.€€That€statute€provides€in€pertinent€part:Ð µP  Ðà8  àPrejudgment€interest€.€.€.€may€be€awarded€by€courts€or€juries€in€accordance€with€theÐ •0  Ðprinciples€of€equity€at€any€rate€not€in€excess€of€a€maximum€effective€rate€of€tenÐ …  Ðpercent€(10%)€per€annum€.€.€.€.€€In€addition,€contracts€may€expressly€provide€for€theÐ u Ðimposition€of€the€same€or€a€different€rate€of€interest€to€be€paid€after€breach€or€defaultÐ e Ðwithin€the€limits€set€by€ðð€47„14„103.ÐUðÐ Ð  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„14„123€(2001).€€ò òó óUnder€that€statute,€the€Owners€argue,€prejudgment€interestÐ 5Ð Ðshould€be€awarded€ð ðin€accordance€with€the€principles€of€equity,ðð€and€the€equities€in€this€case€weighÐ %À Ðin€favor€of€disallowing€any€interest€because€the€Contractorððs€right€of€recovery€was€disputed€onÐ ° Ðreasonable€grounds.€€ò òòòSee€Alexanderó óóó,€974€S.W.2d€at€698€(stating€that€prejudgment€interest€is€moreÐ   Ðlikely€to€be€equitable€if€plaintiffððs€right€of€recovery€is€not€disputed€on€reasonable€grounds).Ð õ Ðà  àThis€Court€has€held€that€the€equitable€considerations€referred€to€in€Tennessee€CodeÐ Õp ÐAnnotated€ðð€47„14„123€are€applicable€in€a€construction€dispute,€even€where€the€contract€involvedÐ Å` Ðcontains€a€provision€regarding€interest€accrual€on€unpaid€debts€arising€out€of€the€contract.€€òòò òSouthwestÐ µP ÐProgressive€Enters.,€Inc.€v.€Ô_ÔShriÔ_Ô„Hari€Hospitality,€LLCó óóó,€No.€01„A„01„9810„CH„00542,€1999€Tenn.Ð ¥@ ÐApp.€LEXIS€603€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Sept.€1,€1999).€€In€ò òòòSouthwest€Progressive€Enters.óóó ó,€the€plaintiffÐ •0 Ðcontractor€sued€the€owner/developer€of€a€hotel€project€for€amounts€due€on€a€contract€in€which€it€hadÐ …  Ðagreed€to€Ô_ÔtexturizeÔ_Ô€the€walls€in€eighty„five€(85)€rooms€of€the€hotel.€€The€contract€between€the€partiesÐ u! Ðð ðprovided€that€payments€due€and€unpaid€under€the€contract€would€accrue€interest€at€the€rate€of€10%Ð e"  Ðper€year.ðð€€òòò òId.ó óóó€at€*2.€€The€trial€court€found€in€favor€of€the€contractor€and€awarded€prejudgmentÐ U#ð! Ðinterest.€€On€appeal,€the€owner€argued€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€awarding€prejudgment€interestÐ E$à" Ðbecause€the€obligation€to€award€such€interest€never€arose€under€the€specific€terms€of€the€contract.€Ð 5%Ð # ÐIn€rejecting€the€ownerððs€argument,€the€appellate€court€noted€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôi]tÔ_Ô€has€long€been€the€law€inÐ %&À!$ ÐTennessee€that€courts€may€award€pre„judgment€interest€in€accordance€with€the€principles€of€equity.ðð€òòò òÐ '°"% ÐId.ó óóó€at€*4.€€The€Court€noted€that€the€ownerððs€contractual€argument€did€ð ðnot€address€the€equitableÐ ( #& Ðpurpose€of€awarding€prejudgment€interest,€which€is€ððto€fully€compensate€a€plaintiff€for€the€loss€ofÐ õ($' Ðuse€of€the€funds€to€which€he€or€she€was€legally€entitled.ðððð€òòò òId.ó óóó€at€*5€(quoting€òòò òMitchell€v.€Mitchelló óóó,Ð å)€%( Ð876€S.W.2d€830,€832€(Tenn.€1994)).€€The€appellate€court€concluded€that€it€would€have€beenÐ Õ*p&) Ðinequitable€to€reward€the€owner€for€refusing€to€pay€by€allowing€it€free€use€of€the€contractorððs€money.Ð Å+`'* Ðà  àIn€this€case,€we€find€that€the€chancellor€was€entitled€to€weigh€the€equities€in€determining€theÐ e Ðappropriate€amount€of€prejudgment€interest.€€The€provision€in€the€contract€regarding€interest€appliesÐ Uð Ðto€ð ð[Ô_Ôp]aymentsÔ_Ô€due€and€unpaid€under€the€Contract€Documents.ðð€€AIA€Contract€ðð€7.8.€€The€amountsÐ Eà Ðð ðdue€and€unpaidðð€were€the€subject€of€much€dispute.€€We€have€recognized€that€a€trial€court€has€theÐ 5Ð Ðpower€to€award€prejudgment€interest€ð ðin€accordance€with€the€principles€of€equity.ðð€òòò ò€SouthwestÐ %À ÐProgressive€Enters.ó óóó,€1999€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€603,€at€*4.€€On€this€basis,€we€find€that€the€chancellorÐ  ° Ðdid€not€err€in€refusing€to€hold€the€Owners€liable€for€prejudgment€interest€at€a€rate€of€10%€for€theÐ    Ðentire€duration€of€this€controversy.Ð õ  Ðà  àWe€also€reject€the€Ownersðð€argument€that€the€chancellor€should€not€have€awarded€anyÐ Õ p  Ðprejudgment€interest.€€The€Owners€claim€that€prejudgment€interest€was€inappropriate€in€this€caseÐ Å `  Ðbecause€their€obligations€were€disputed€on€reasonable€grounds.€€While€the€fact€that€an€obligation€isÐ µP  Ðreasonably€disputable€is€a€factor€in€determining€whether€prejudgment€interest€is€warranted,€a€courtÐ ¥@  Ðis€not€bound€to€deny€prejudgment€interest€in€such€cases.€€òòò òSee€Ô_ÔMyintÔ_Ô€v.€Allstate€Ins.€Co.ó óóó,€970€S.W.2dÐ •0  Ð920,€928€n.7€(Tenn.€1998)€(overruling€those€cases€which€hold€that€prejudgment€interest€is€notÐ …  Ðallowable€when€an€obligation€is€disputed€on€reasonable€grounds).€€Rather,€the€court€hasÐ u Ðð ðconsiderable€deference€in€the€prejudgment€interest€decision.ðð€ò òòò€Id.óóó ó€at€927.€€Trial€courts€are€guidedÐ e Ðby€several€principles€in€determining€an€appropriate€amount€of€prejudgment€interest.€€A€court€mustÐ Uð Ðconsider€principles€of€equity,€and€it€must€also€bear€in€mind€that€the€purpose€of€making€such€an€awardÐ Eà Ðð ðis€to€fully€compensate€a€plaintiff€for€the€loss€of€the€use€of€funds€to€which€he€or€she€was€legallyÐ 5Ð Ðentitled,€not€to€penalize€a€defendant€for€wrongdoing.ðð€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€€Also,€prejudgment€interest€should€beÐ %À Ðgranted€ð ðwhen€the€amount€of€the€obligation€is€certain,ðð€and€where€ð ðthe€amount€is€not€disputed€onÐ ° Ðreasonable€grounds.ðð€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€€Ð   Ðà  àThe€chancellor€in€this€case€found€that€the€equities€weighed€in€favor€of€awarding€prejudgmentÐ å€ Ðinterest,€but€he€also€concluded€that€the€extraordinary€duration€of€these€proceedings€required€that€suchÐ Õp Ðinterest€be€limited.€€It€was€within€the€equitable€power€of€the€chancellor€to€consider€the€unusualÐ Å` Ðduration€of€this€litigation€as€a€factor€in€reducing€the€prejudgment€interest€so€as€to€prevent€unjustÐ µP Ðpunishment€to€the€Owners.€€òòò òSee€Foster€&€Ô_ÔCreightonÔ_Ô€Co.€v.€Wilson€Contracting€Co.óóó ó,€579€S.W.2dÐ ¥@ Ð422,€428„29€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1978)€(affirming€trial€courtððs€disallowance€of€prejudgment€interestÐ •0 Ðagainst€defendant€when€case€endured€twenty€(20)€years€and€claim€was€one€for€unliquidatedÐ …  Ðdamages).€€Because€the€amount€of€the€damages€award€has€not€been€greatly€modified€on€appeal,€weÐ u! Ðaffirm€the€award€of€prejudgment€interest€in€the€amount€of€$12,000.Ð e"  Ðà  àAccordingly,€we€affirm€in€part,€reverse€in€part,€and€modify.€€The€cause€is€remanded€to€theÐ E$à" Ðtrial€court€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€Opinion.€€Costs€are€to€be€taxed€equally€to€theÐ 5%Ð # Ðappellants,€David€M.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔLatitiaÔ_Ô€M.€Ô_ÔMarrsÔ_Ô,€and€their€sureties,€and€appellees,€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_ÔÐ %&À!$ ÐConstruction€Company€and€The€Estate€of€Brooks€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ôò òó ó,€for€which€execution€may€issue€ifÐ '°"% Ðnecessary.Ð ( #& ÐÌÓ ÓÐ Å+`'* Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð e Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àHOLLY€K.€LILLARD,€JUDGE