Being Invoiced for an Electrician's Quotation (which I thought was free)

monkeyshavingexpert

We've had three electricians round to quote on having a house rewired and, without telling us there would be a charge for the inspection, one has now sent us an invoice for £70.

Has this ever happened to anyone else? Anyone know where I stand?

baldelectrician

I myself charge for written quotations, but tell the client prior to sending it out in writing.

I DO NOT charge for verbal quotations as there is no time involved typing things up and posting etc.

If he told you (or advertises this you may have to pay).

If he didn't tell you or advertise this then you should query the invoice in writing.

The reason I charge for written estimates is simple - a lot are a waste of time.
I quote the rate for the job properly (and using decent materials) and the client shows the quote (with all your ideas) and the other spark says "I'll knock £75 off the price" or similar.
I also find people ask for written quotes, send dearest to insurance company and take cheapest.

I do publicise this though;
http://www.baldelectrician.com/termsandconditions/termsandconditions.htm

I personally feel (opinion not legal stuff) he has a cheek if he hasn't given you the option to refuse chargable written quote, you should write to him asking when it was pointed out the quote was chargable.

ps did you ask for a quote, or a free quote ?

shockingmoment

Did he actually carry out an inspection as your post states? If so £70 is reasonable.

monkeyshavingexpert

thanks for both of the replies so far.

we'd explained that we'd like the place rewiring & asked if he could come round and give us a quote. he spent about 25-30 minutes going round the house with us asking how many sockets we'd like in each room, how the lighting would work, etc.

he hasn't actually provided a quote (which was what we'd asked for), just a 2-sentence long invoice that refers to an 'inspection'. I don't know what an inspection entails, but no equipment was used, no furniture was moved & he only spent a minute or two looking at the current (no pun intended!) electrics.

there was no mention of any charge (again, no pun intended!) beforehand & the word 'inspection' was never used prior to or during the visit.

what do people think? is this standard practice? have i made mistakes here?

startrekker

if he is asking for £70 then I would expect a detailed quote stating how many sockets, fittings per area, how long the job is going to take, any damage that might occur and who is responsible etc etc . I would also expect to see the quote on proper letter heading with his certified details on it as well. I would also have expected to be told before hand that I was going to be charged for the quotation.

Hizz

Send him one back for £70.50 for the cup of tea that he no doubt had from your hospitality.

baldelectrician

Send him a letter saying you never asked for an inspection, but a free quote, and tell him if he wants any money to use the small claims court.

Also tell him if he does this you will use two other quotes from local companies (from the same date) as evidence you asked him for a quote.

he is taking the michael, and don't let him

ps how did the other quotes turn out, and what size of house and location is it?

Optimist

I take it you found him in yellow pages or an advert. Did it mention anywhere that there was a charge ?