Jacob & Youngs v. Kent

Jacob & Youngs v. Kent is a landmark legal case from 1921 involving a construction contract. The homeowner (Kent) wanted specific materials (a certain brand of pipe), but the builder (Jacob & Youngs) accidentally used a different brand, which was of equal quality. Kent refused to pay the final bill and sought damages. The court ruled in favor of the builder, stating that the substitution did not significantly affect the project's overall value. This case highlights the principle of substantial performance in contract law, emphasizing that minor deviations from a contract do not always justify a breach.