Idaho Lumber v. Orland C. Buck

Clyde Walker contracted with Idaho Lumber, Inc., to remodel a building and to construct a parking lot on property leased by Walker from Orland Buck. With a substantial sum still owing on the remodeling contract, Walker defaulted on both the contract and the lease. Idaho Lumber filed a contractor's lien and brought suit against Walker and Buck to foreclose it. Idaho Lumber also sought recovery against Buck on a theory of quasi-contract for unjust enrichment. Walker was dismissed from the action after filing for bankruptcy and obtaining a discharge of his debt to Idaho Lumber. Following trial, the district court held that Buck was unjustly enriched, to the extent of $20,025, by the labor and materials supplied by Idaho Lumber. Buck appealed. Idaho Lumber, dissatisfied with the amount of the judgment, cross-appealed. We affirm the district court's judgment in part, vacate in part and remand. The parties raise several issues on appeal which can be summarized as three: (1) whether the contractor's lien is enforceable against Buck; (2) whether Idaho Lumber was a real party in interest as to all of its claim; and (3) whether Buck was unjustly enriched and, if so, the amount thereof.