special referee solely under the theory of quantum meruit. After a hearing, the special referee issued an order on February 16, 2002, awarding judgment to QHG in the amount of $81,478.70 for the outstanding principal, plus prejudgment interest in the amount of $23,314.43. McCutcheon appeals. STANDARD OF REVIEW In an action in equity tried by the judge alone, this Court can make findings of facts in accordance with our own view of the preponderance of the evidence. However, this does not require us to ignore the fact that the special referee was in a better position to assess the credibility of witnesses. Tiger, Inc. v. Fisher Agro, Inc., 301 S.C. 229, 237, 391 S.E.2d 538, 543 (1989); see Columbia Wholesale Co. v. Scudder May N.V., 312 S.C. 259, 262 n. 1, 440 S.E.2d 129, 131 n. 1 (1994) (<HOLDING>). DISCUSSION I. Quantum Meruit McCutcheon
holding that the evidence was insufficient for the statute of limitations to bar recovery of a quantum meruit cause of action holding quantum meruit unavailable to remedy invalid contract holding supreme court had jurisdiction to find facts in accordance with its own view of the preponderance of evidence in subcontractors action against project owner seeking recovery under equitable doctrine of quantum meruit rather than recovery based on contract holding that a discharged firms recovery is limited to quantum meruit holding that where plaintiff did not seek to rescind a contract and only sought quantum meruit recovery after a jury had determined an enforceable contract existed plaintiff was limited to recovery under the contract