Who pays for roofing modifications in the bid addendum?

Full question:

A contract we are bidding on issues an addendum prior to bid regarding the roofing work...it states in part the following ...any roofing modifications associated with this scope of work for this bid (i.e. penetrations, etc.) shall be coordinated with the County's Roofing Contractor in order not to void the existing roofing warranty.) We believe this implies the owner pays the cost and the contractor coordinates the services of the county's roofing contractor. What do you think? Is our interpretation reasonable?

  • Category: Contracts
  • Date:
  • State: Florida

Answer:

If there is ambiguity in the contract, it's best to clarify the terms in writing. The parol evidence rule applies once the parties have agreed to a final, written contract. This rule prevents the introduction of evidence regarding previous agreements once a final contract is established. The intent is to ensure that all important factors are included in the final document.

In case of a dispute, a court will look at the written contract and may consider the following hierarchy of evidence to interpret vague terms:

  1. Terms from discussions and writings exchanged that do not contradict the contract;
  2. Terms implied by the conduct of the parties;
  3. Terms implied by industry custom and practice;
  4. Terms implied by applicable law, such as damages for breach or liability for negligence.

Ultimately, the court will determine what a reasonable interpretation is based on these factors.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

The four principles of a contract are mutual consent, consideration, capacity, and legality. Mutual consent means both parties agree to the terms. Consideration refers to something of value exchanged between the parties. Capacity means that both parties have the legal ability to enter into a contract. Finally, legality ensures that the contract's purpose is lawful. Understanding these principles is essential for forming valid agreements.