total refurbishment

totalrefurb

I'm buying a flat that needs to be completely renovated. I've asked a builder to give me a quote, but he has run ahead of himself by drawing up plans and has lined up workman, brought in architects, and asked me what colour paint I want! He is also liaising direct with the estate agents and owners of the flat (I haven't exchanged yet). I am going to get another couple of quotes, but can he charge me for the work he has done so far?

paddy.maguire

Absolutely not, has he actually given you a quote yet? Sounds to me like he is trying to pressure you into giving him the work by making you feel duty bound to due to all of the "work" he has put in already. This is dubious practice but quite common, how are you in contact with him? Are you feeling uncomfortable about how heavy he is being?

phill99

Paddy is right. As you haven't asked him to provide anyjting more than a quote, he can't ask you to pay him for his time. He seems to be putting pressure on you so don't be brow beaten.

paddy.maguire

My suggestion would be to email him or ring him and say that due to some unforseen circumstances things are going on the back burner and thank him for his efforts and say you will be in touch. What does the refurb involve as I wouldnt have thought an architect would be involved unless there is something pretty dramatic going on.

olias

To be fair to the builder, why didn't you say something sooner before he started getting carried away. Surely it would have been easy to say,

'you seem to be allowing things to run away with themselves. All I am requiring at the moment is a quote to compare with others before I make a descision.'

Could you have inadvertently said something to him that has led him to believe that you will be hiring him?

Olias