Plain-language explanations of key terms — for engineers and project managers, not lawyers.
A Latin phrase meaning "as much as deserved." A legal remedy available where there is no valid contract or where a contract has been frustrated, allowing recovery of the reasonable value of work performed. In construction, quantum meruit claims arise in situations such as: where a letter of intent is relied upon but no contract is concluded; where a contract is void; or where work is performed outside the scope of the contract. The measure of recovery is the reasonable value of the work, not the contract price.