A difference in expectations of a pole barn led to a recent jury trial in South Dakota, with the customer awarded only a fraction of what he was seeking from the builder.
The owner of the pole barn, Doug Altman of Mitchell filed a lawsuit asking for damages against builder Ryan Baker of Baker Construction for $1,000 per month in lost use of a pole barn he claims was improperly constructed, plus $78,000 for replacement cost. Instead, he was awarded $862.44 for repairs.
The Daily Republic, Mitchell, reported that Altman wanted to use the building, constructed in 2007-2008, for storage of vehicles and farm equipment as well as space for a workshop and office, but it was never adequately sealed from the weather.
The builder, however, claimed he was not told the structure would be used for office space nor that it needed to be airtight.
The trial included testimony from two different engineers, one who said the building, purchased through Menards, was of good quality and showed no structural instability, while the other called it ‘dangerous’.
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