Should I Pay This Bill?

thebaldwindowfitter

Jo-anneFeesey wrote: »

Thank you for your replies.

The survey was actually just a mortgage survey but it did pick up on various issues with the house (i.e. electrics, active woodworm in the loft, old back boiler central heating system which was suggested should be updated, plant life growing out of the chimney - as well as other things!).

I had asked the electrician to go in to the property and have a look around. I didn't actuially ask for a written report, just his opinion on the electrics and a quote for the work (the quote being £3000 to £4000 to re-wire) as I was obtaining all the quotes for the various anticipated work in the hope that I would be able to negotiate a new purchase price with the seller.

Had I asked for a written report then fair enough but he is billing me for a report that I didn't actually ask for and even then, surely it would be justified to have expected him to let me know first?

you are using the various reports to negotiate a new purchase price on the house yet you expect him to do his work for nothing what were you going to hit the seller with to negotiate surely you would use the report which he provided .what if you dont get the house which happens so often :mad: becuase you couldnt get a reduction so couldnt afford to proceed as said ask him to knock it off the price if you buy the house

Sooler

Jo-anneFeesey wrote: »

I had asked the electrician to go in to the property and have a look around.

Why would he want to do this for free?

Jo-anneFeesey wrote: »

I didn't actually ask for a written report, just his opinion on the electrics

He'd need to do more than just look for a professional opinion of any use. Why would he give you the benefit of his opinion for free?


What's wrong with the wiring? Why does it 'need' rewiring?

Canucklehead

Good morning: Some tradespersons are now charging a nominal fee to produce a written quotation (this is viewed as a financial disincentive for potential 'timewasters') and if the quote is accepted, the client enters into a contract with the tradesperson, the work proceeds and the fee is deducted from the final invoice. This issue is subject to frequent discussion on trade forums.

To the OP: If my OH is asked to assess the CH system/plumbing in a property not owned by the potential client he will charge for his services and we will produce a written report:these terms and conditions of business are made crystal clear to the potential client.

HTH

Canucklehead

Jo-anneFeesey

I have absolutely no problem with the electrician charging me, it was merely the fact that he did not mention beforehand that he would be making a charge as all the other electricians in the local area offer free quotes and, obviously, had I known there would be a charge I would have chosen someone else - he just happened to be the most local to the property after looking in the phone book.

I just thought that I could expect to be told that there would be a charge and also what the charge would be.

I will be paying the bill in full but, rightly or wrongly in your opinion, will be left feeling he has taken advantage by not being upfront.

woodbutcher_2

I feel that what he is charging you for is not the quote(which he would probably have done for free) but the report he drew up for you.Different kettle of fish in my opinion.

misgrace

He should have told you that he doesnt offer free estimates, then its down to you to carry on having him round.
On the other hand, its his time, and I can understand in one way why he is charging you, as the times I have had people ring me up for a quote, get there,spend over an hour going round, the house, (then at least another 30 mins or so typing out the quote) then they tell me its an insurance job, and they need 3 quotes, and I know damn well I wont get it, as they will get a family member to do it.:rolleyes: but I do offer free estimates, so I cant moan, but now, If the hairs on the back of my head start to lift over the odd phone call, I always ask if its an insurance quote, if they reply yes, then I apologise, and tell them I dont take on insurance work.

By doing this, I feel it cuts out the time wasters, and I'm sure a few of the tradespeople on here know exactly what I mean.;)

baldelectrician

Jo-anneFeesey wrote: »

I have absolutely no problem with the electrician charging me, it was merely the fact that he did not mention beforehand that he would be making a charge as all the other electricians in the local area offer free quotes and, obviously, had I known there would be a charge I would have chosen someone else - he just happened to be the most local to the property after looking in the phone book.

I just thought that I could expect to be told that there would be a charge and also what the charge would be.

I will be paying the bill in full but, rightly or wrongly in your opinion, will be left feeling he has taken advantage by not being upfront.

You seem to be contradicting yourself.
You don't have a problem with him charging you for an asessment of the installation, but then you say if he told you this you would have chosen someone else
You can't want both, or do you want him to come out and give you a report for free?
How many hours per week do you work unpaid?

My friend (who is a plumber of 35 years experience) goes out to quote jobs, but he used to go in to great detail about the job- stating where he would run every pipe, how he would connect it together etc, only to drive by a few weeks later and see a diy attempt (he could tell by the workmanship) along the same route etc as he had described.
Now he simply states that the work will comply to the relevant standards and his work will be guaranteed by him.

I go into some detail, but do not describe the work in minute detail, for this reason.

ginvzt

Well, simple as that - did you ask how much would it be for a quote? Or was it somewhere you foind advewrtised this electrician and it said 'free quotes'. If it didn't see free quotes anywhere, I would have assumed he would need to be paid - in the end, he spent time for you - he could have been doing a job somewhere and earning money. We all need to live...

bikertim

My friend (who is a plumber of 35 years experience) goes out to quote jobs, but he used to go in to great detail about the job- stating where he would run every pipe, how he would connect it together etc, only to drive by a few weeks later and see a diy attempt (he could tell by the workmanship) along the same route etc as he had described.
Now he simply states that the work will comply to the relevant standards and his work will be guaranteed by him.I go into some detail, but do not describe the work in minute detail, for this reason.

I agree totally .I am a bricklayer and I used to give detailed quotes free of charge.How many bricks , how big the foundation trench would be and how much concrete it would take only to drive past and see the DIY attempt a few weeks later.Now its a basic quote and any detail can be gone into if I get the job.

sparky883

If you ask an electrical company for a quote,We provide a free quote on the work you as usk to quote on.
We do not provide a "free Quote" when we have got to find out what work you require using our electrical training.
We always charge for surveys for homebuyers because purchasers use the findings as a bargaining tool to buy the house and then dont bother having the work done.
Free Quotes do not always apply that is why we charge by the hour
For example - Mr Smith wants a quote on his socket in the hall not working-To find out whats wrong got to unscrew it and look at it-Wire is loose-Put it back in-Charge customer-Simple
Mr Smith says-But i wanted a free quote before i decided wether to have work done.

Oh The Joys of being self-employed!!