BAL Advice needed - tiler almost doubled verbal quote on invoice, never quoted in writing

[James C]

hi all,

I’ve had some stellar advice from these forums in getting some split face stone tiles installed on my walls safely and correctly, and based on the advice I insisted they were installed on marmox boards rather than the existing plasterboard.

I supplied the boards, the washers, the screws etc.

the original quote verbally delivered as “I can do the job for £420”.

His invoice almost doubled the quote and added VAT (never mentioned the verbal quote needed VAT added!) and at no point confirmed he wanted to invoice more before the invoice arrived.

Where do I stand on this? As he did not quote in writing at any point, do I have to pay this extortionate cost?

FYI he completed the job in 8 hours total work and only needed to supply adhesive.

 

[hmtiling]

I should have changed my ferry

 

[James C]

When did your backer boards turn up on the Saturday?
Was the tiler waiting for them and is that why he came back on the Sunday?

Nope, we bought them in the week and they were on site on Saturday morning

 

[Flintstone]

I suspect there's some crossed wires with the work the tiler was expecting to carry out and what he actually ended up doing

 

[Dumbo]

He is threatening “litigation” if I don’t pay him. I’m more than happy to pay the quoted amount. If he doesn’t have a legal standpoint to “send it to litigation” then I will stand firm and continue extending my offer to pay him what he quoted.

He also stated in his last email that the quote was “for cash”, doesn’t sound like the VAT man is getting any of that!

Well he is pretty stupid to put that in an email . You could use this as leverage

 

[Dumbo]

It’s just unpleasant to have to be this way. I do a job where we quote for complicated trades on technical projects, and we quote for everything in an email and get agreement before we book anything in. We always state on the quote that additional labour will be x per hour and materials are an estimation within 10% etc.

I guess I have to wait for a solicitors letter now!

If your work is done this way you should of thought it appropriate that work in your house is treated the same way .

 

[James C]

If your work is done this way you should of thought it appropriate that work in your house is treated the same way .

Clearly not everyone works this way, but it sure does save on a lot of hassle and clients are never surprised. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, we will be insisting on written quotes in future

 

[Dumbo]

Clearly not everyone works this way, but it sure does save on a lot of hassle and clients are never surprised. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, we will be insisting on written quotes in future

All my customers get written quotes and nobody working for me gets an open cheque book .

 

[Dumbo]

I should have changed my ferry

I would of driven down from salisbury harry I wouldn't of minded sharing that with you . Probably could of wrapped it in 4 hrs between us . I could of even picked you up from the ferry port so you could of come as a foot passenger .

 

[Boggs]

I would have walked to Southampton for £100 an hour.

 

[Dumbo]

I would have walked to Southampton for £100 an hour.

I always use to think Winchester was easy money but think I better spend more time in Southampton.

 

[Spare Tool]

I would of driven down from salisbury harry I wouldn't of minded sharing that with you . Probably could of wrapped it in 4 hrs between us . I could of even picked you up from the ferry port so you could of come as a foot passenger .

Harry would have swam over for £800 a day

 

[On one]

I would have walked to Southampton for £100 an hour.

I know a couple of Scotsmen that 'would walk 500 miles' to Southampton

 

[Time's Ran Out]

£420 not a penny more not a penny less!
End of.

 

[Just Rizzle]

sounds like a he works 10 till 2 and an hour for lunch.
is his name billy the kid
have you photos of his work interested to see what hes done 4 his money

 

[ttt tiling]

Rip off merchant , HMRC would love to hear about this , give him his original quote and tell him you and HMRC will see him in coury

 

[Spud]

I am struggling here, it seems as if its your word against his and we have only heard one side of the story , so I dont think its fair to give advice which may affect another mans livelihood , my advice is take it a court and let them decide

 

[Concrete guy]

Be careful witholding the entire payment. There is a sum of £420 which is not in dispute, pay this. Then dispute the balance.

If this ever goes legal this will reflect in your favour as being reasonable.

You cannot withold the entire amount when clearly only part of the invoice is disputed.

 

[bsc ceramics]

make sure you keep any correspondence between the two of you in case it goes to court (the price was for cash)