Quote/No Quote

Norkie

Norkie

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OK, here’s a story that I need some help with.

Had a guy come round to quote for a job.
Did’nt get a written version, just a telephone conversation, which I accepted.
Job done, just fine.
Invoice arrives and it’s £200.00 more than agreed!

What is my position please?
 
Was it a quote or an estimate? Has he provided a reason for the extra £200? Have you asked why it is over?

A contract is formed on the basis of offer and acceptance and need not be written down but of course if it isn't written down then there is no way of telling what was actually agreed.
 
If it were me, I'd just pay what we'd agreed.

Of course, there may have been extra (unexpected) parts used which is fair enough. However, if he just got his timings wrong it's tough luck on his part - you'd agreed to a price, not an estimate.
 
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Norkie said:
It’s a £550.00 job. And it was a quote, verbal.
Click to expand...

A fairly significant percentage uplift then. Have you challenged them on it? (asked why the increase)

I think if they can justify it and it seems valid, I'd probably pay it. Is it worth the grief for a couple of hundred quid...

If it seems unreasonable, then suck air in through your teeth ("I can't afford the extra, was told it was £550") try to get them back somewhere closer to £550.
 
To echo above, politely ask why his verbal quotation is significantly more that the quoted £550.00

The increase on the invoice is 36.3% higher that is way out of order.....

As noted above, if the figure quoted was an "estimate" he should not have called it a "quote". Having said, I surmise there are situations e.g. costs of materials can be hit with a major price hike BUT he should not have just carried on the job at that point but cleared the extra expenditure with you :thinking: :banghead:

PS frankly I would never accept a verbal costing of any work. Hopefully you can come to an amicable resolution with him???
 
GeordieStew says' if they can justify it" They may well be able to but I think the decent thing to do was to point out whilst doing the job what has happened that will increase the cost. We had a 2.5m high 25m long hedge removed. It had a trellis embedded. They had to order a much larger skip than they thought would do the job. I think they misjudged the depth of it. They offered to go halves on the extra and we agreed.
 
Building materials are getting scarce, even the major house builders are having trouble sourcing stuff.
If the “Quote” was made several weeks ago, it’s entirely possible material costs have risen substantially.

No one here can help you though, you need to discuss it with the bloke and find an amicable resolution.

oh, and always get a written quote…
 
Verbal contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on...

ALWAYS get a quote in writing.
 
Nod said:
Verbal contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on...

ALWAYS get a quote in writing.
Click to expand...

I agree. If the other party isn't prepared to do this, walk away. Alternatively, write your own agreement confirming the work to be done, timeline and costs and send/mail it to them. You can ask them to sign and return a copy, but it's not absolutely necessary.
 
OK, update.

Had an interesting telephone conversation with my favourite builder, not!

Essentially I’ve told him £x pounds and that is it. See you in court if you’re not happy!

I’ll keep you posted ;)
 
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He tried to explain it away but I think it’s just a scam type thing. If you’re weak you’ll pay :(
 
Do you mean he explained it but you don't believe him, or he didn't have an explanation?

Just trying to understand where you might stand.
 
I didn’t believe him, but I wasn’t going to labour the point. We agreed on a figure, job done.
 
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