The pursuer chartered surveyor sought payment for his work. No price had been agreed and the pursuer sought payment in accordance with standard rates published by his Institution. The defender sought to make payment on quantum meruit basis.
‘If a person employs a professional man to perform some service and makes no inquiry as to the basis upon which the professional man is to be remunerated for this service, it is not unreasonable that he should pay for the service on the usual and customary basis. It is not open to him to complain that he is unaware of it, if he has never even taken the trouble to ascertain it before engaging another to do work for him without specifying a precise fee.’
Citations:
[1956] ScotCS CSIH – 1
Links:
Jurisdiction:
Scotland
Contract
Updated: 20 December 2022; Ref: scu.279444