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****************************************************** The ``officially released'' date that appears near the beginning of each opinion is the date the opinion will be published in the Connecticut Law Journal or the date it was released as a slip opinion. The operative date for the beginning of all time periods for filing postopinion motions and petitions for certification is the ``officially released'' date appearing in the opinion. In no event will any such motions be accepted before the ``officially released'' date. All opinions are subject to modification and technical correction prior to official publication in the Connecticut Reports and Connecticut Appellate Reports. In the event of discrepancies between the electronic version of an opinion and the print version appearing in the Connecticut Law Journal and subsequently in the Connecticut Reports or Connecticut Appellate Reports, the latest print version is to be considered authoritative. The syllabus and procedural history accompanying the opinion as it appears on the Commission on Official Legal Publications Electronic Bulletin Board Service and in the Connecticut Law Journal and bound volumes of official reports are copyrighted by the Secretary of the State, State of Connecticut, and may not be reproduced and distributed without the express written permission of the Commission on Official Legal Publications, Judicial Branch, State of Connecticut. ****************************************************** JOHN GREENE v. ALAN PERRY (AC 19847)
Schaller, Zarella and Pellegrino, Js. Submitted on briefs September 15, 2000--officially released March 20, 2001 Counsel

Ernest J. Cotnoir filed a brief for the appellant (defendant). Richard J. Duda filed a brief for the appellee (plaintiff).
Opinion

PELLEGRINO, J. The defendant, Alan Perry, appeals from the judgment of the trial court finding him negligent and in breach of a construction contract, and awarding damages to the plaintiff, John Greene. On appeal, the defendant claims that the court improperly (1) found that his faulty workmanship caused damage to the plaintiff's home because the defendant adhered to the architectural plans and (2) determined the amount of damages due to the plaintiff. We affirm the judgment of the trial court. The court found the following facts. The defendant,

a building contractor, entered into a written contract with the plaintiff to construct a residential dwelling on the plaintiff's property in Canterbury. The defendant was to follow an architectural plan and blueprints that provided for a main carrying beam, which would be supported by two Lally columns. An earlier version of the plan had called for three Lally columns to support the beam. One Lally column subsequently was removed to provide for more unobstructed space in the basement area. Before construction began, the architect orally informed the defendant that, although two columns would be adequate to support the beam, the defendant should install a steel carrying beam instead of a wooden one. Contrary to that instruction, the defendant installed a wooden carrying beam that he created by nailing together three two-by-twelve inch planks. Because the wooden beam provided inadequate weight load support, the floor in the main hallway of the house soon crowned and buckled. The plaintiff noticed the problem after taking possession of the premises. He retained a civil engineer to examine the structure of the dwelling. The engineer determined that the support system was overstressed and recommended remedial measures to prevent further structural damage. The plaintiff thereafter brought this action against the defendant, alleging breach of contract1 and negligence because of unworkmanlike performance, and breach of express and implied new home warranties pursuant to General Statutes

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Connecticut Law