STR Constructors hired Newman Tile as a subcontractor to install tile in a school kitchen renovation. STR terminated Newman Tile without cause before the work was complete and refused to pay for the work already done. The Texas Court of Appeals ruled that STR materially breached the contract first, which excused Newman Tile from finishing the job and allowed Newman Tile to recover full damages plus attorney's fees under both breach of contract and quantum meruit (payment for work performed).
A general contractor cannot terminate a subcontractor without cause and then avoid paying for substantially completed work—this is material breach that excuses the subcontractor from further performance.
If a GC wrongfully terminates you, you can recover damages for the entire contract value plus attorney's fees, not just the work completed to date.
Document all work completed, take photos, and keep detailed records—quantum meruit claims (payment for work done) require proof of what you actually performed.