Fee Clause Interpretation: Where Pleadings And Testimony Showed That A Brochure With A Fees Clause Applied To Services Different Than The Ones In Dispute, Trial Judge’s Conclusions That The Two Transactions Were Not Integrated Supported A Denial Of Fees

The Pleadings And Trial Testimony Supported That Result.

               Plaintiff restoration company won a $452,422 jury verdict against defendant apartment owner for water restoration services, then moving to recover $260,215 in attorney’s fees based on a fees clause in a prior brochure involving different apartment turn services which were paid off by apartment owner.  The lower court found that the pleadings and trial testimony showed the transactions were not the same, so the integration principle contained in Civil Code section 1642 was not viable, denying fees to the restoration company.

               The appellate court affirmed in Prestige Construction and Renovation Services, Inc. v. Reliant Real Estate Management, Inc., Case No. D084506 (4^th Dist., Div. 1 Mar. 18, 2025) (unpublished).  The integration question was one of fact, with substantial evidence showing the brochure fees clause did not apply to the later water restoration services resulting in the jury verdict.  Because there was no agreement with a fees clause (R.W.L. Enterprises v. Oldcastle, Inc., 17 Cal.App.5^th 1019, 1022, 1028 (2017)), the fee denial was warranted.