Jury Verdict Reporter of Colorado Covers R&H Win

In the world of business, partnerships can be filled with unforeseen challenges, especially when close friendships are involved. The Rein, Inc. v. Cobblestone Design Build, LLC case sheds light on the complexities that can arise when business relationships between friends go wrong.

Jury Verdict Reporter of Colorado provides an in-depth look at this case. Click here to explore the intricacies of this case and learn valuable lessons if you’re considering going into business with a friend or relative. 

Our client, a subcontractor who owns Rein, Inc., found himself in a contractual dispute with Cobblestone Design Build, a company owned by a former friend of Rein. The two friends, due to their familiarity, failed to adequately document the terms of their agreement, leading to misunderstandings and disputes as a paver installation project progressed. 

The most significant challenge in this case was the presence of text messages that seemed to suggest Rein was quitting the job and relinquishing any claim to payment. 

“We’ve got two friends here who, they lower their guard, they talk to one another, they speak freely, they talk in hyperbole, you know, as friends do. Unfortunately, that doesn’t translate well when you’re conveying those messages in a text,” said R&H Civil Litigation Partner Steve Whitmore.

Cobblestone Design Build’s defense centered around the text messages, claiming that Rein had quit the job and, thus, forfeited the payment. 

“I think it became apparent to the jury pretty quickly that our client, Rein,  did the significant majority of the work and hadn’t been paid for it,” said Steve.

The jury ultimately ruled in favor of Rein, Inc. on the breach of contract claim, the violation of the Mechanic’s Lein Trust Fund statute, and for the plaintiff on the defendant’s counterclaims. 

The verdict demonstrated that the written communication didn’t summarize the true nature of the business relationship and the work performed. 

This case serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the importance of clear communication and formal documentation in business relationships, even between friends. 

Steve explained, “If you’re going to do business with friends, get it in writing anyway. Really, the failure here was that the parties, because they used to be friends, they relaxed their guard. They didn’t take precautions that they normally would’ve taken.”

Learn more about the case from Steve in this episode of "From Our Perspective"