Upset builder

Deladuro

Mornin' all

I wonder if any of you good people have an opinion on the situation in which I find myself. Sorry if it's a bit of a long one...

Part 1. My wife and I bought a small family home in Scotland last August. There were a few issues that came up in the 'Home Report' and upon further investigation found that the conservatory didn't meet regulations. We called a builder (Mr. to ask if he would mind having a look to see how much it would cost to put things right. He gave us an estimate of 2K and we managed to get the seller to knock that off the price. We postponed doing anything to the conservatory straight away as we planned on doing further structural once we had settled in to the place.

Part 2. There were a few other bit of building work and out of gratitude to Mr. B, gave him the jobs of renewing some guttering and restoration work to chimney (wasn't quite the cheapest quote - but he seemed a decent chap and I felt we owed him that)
The work appeared to be of good standard, although he'd forgotten that he had said he would have a look at the rest of the guttering and replace if required (at extra cost of course) whilst they had the scaffold. Also didn't paint the guttering despite having the scaffold in place.
This wasn't really a big deal as far as I was concerned, but it was a pain knowing I'd have to organise to do it in the near future.

Part 3. In April we were finally ready to get going with more major work - replacing conservatory with family room, extending kitchen, downstairs cloakroom etc. We asked several builders for estimates - including Mr. B. He gave a reasonable price that was at the lower end of those received and said he could start in a couple of weeks. We discussed the other estimates and my wife, who is 7 month pregnant was insistent that she would prefer another builder to do the work who had glowing references, had just finished work on a friends extension and who could start straight away. (I mention the pregnancy to explain her wish to get things done asap - and my current subservient position..)

Part 4. So, we (she) had made the decision. We contacted the preferred builders and they said they could start demolishing the very next day.
I then started calling the unsuccessful builders. Anyone I managed to speak to directly thanked us for considering them and wished us luck with our work and impending arrival. I left a message with Mr. B being as positive as I could, thanking him, saying how good his references were (they were good but not glowing), how I'd be happy to mention his name if anyone I knew was getting work done in the future etc. I let him know that his bid was competitive, but we really needed to get started asap (I didn't mention that my wife just didn't really care for his attitude and the way he always spoke to me rather than her in any exchanges)

I thought he would be disappointed, but I didn't expect a text from him saying
'that's great, just give me all the !!!! jobs and then give the good stuff to someone else. Wish i'd know that when I quoted for the chimney. I didn't charge you when you saved 2 grand on the house so there will be a bill in the post'.

I was so disappointed and felt physically sick. I already felt bad having to give him the news.
I had no idea Mr. B would feel that I was exploiting him (which I don't feel I was). I thought that was part and parcel of the building trade - win some lose some.

Has anyone else been in a similar position?

What's my legal position regarding any forthcoming bill? (I would be happy to pay it if that was thought to be the fair thing to do).

Part of me is so angry with myself for letting this upset me so much. I really thought getting the building work underway would be a relief - not cause sleepless nights.

warehouse

That's fantastic, you now know you made absolutely the right choice in NOT going for Mr B. and have saved yourself a lot of future problems. Well done to your Wife.

As for the bill, burn it.

Sambucus_Nigra

Your mistake was to contact the builders to tell them that they were unsuccessful! In future, don't do this - you are just asking for trouble.

I agree, well done to your wife.

Wherryman

Deladuro wrote: »

I didn't charge you when you saved 2 grand on the house so there will be a bill in the post'.

Sending you a bill for what exactly? a quote?

Alan_M_2

I know things are quiet right now but if a builder told me they could start the next day I'd have alarm bells ringing.

The bill will have no substance however don't ignore it, politely reply that he was paid in full at the time of the work to the price agreed. If it then does go any further (which is unlikely) you have provided a fitting response and a paper trail.

pendulum

You say you felt bad about telling him he didn't get the work. Why is that? Is it because you may have indicated to him previously that after he'd done the smaller jobs, you'd be getting him to do the bigger job? He seems to infer this in his message, and it seems plausible.

If that is the case, and it probably is, I can see his frustration. He probably did quote lower thinking he was getting extra work in the future. But, I don't think he has a leg to stand on legally by trying to send you a bill now. He gave you a price for the work, he did the work, and you paid him in full. If he quoted low to try and secure the extra work, and this was unsuccessful, that is his hard luck.

I'd refuse to pay the bill, if he sends one. Keep the text as evidence, as it shows he sent the bill out of sour grapes.

DebtHater

Why did you contact the other builders? Seems pointless to me, and its just asking for an argument.

Moomum

I always contact the unsuccessful tradesman to let them know either way, they have always been very grateful and some ask feedback which helps them with next quote. At least you know you chose the right builder! What exactly is he trying to bill you for?

phill99

You are getting emotions and your contractual position mixed up here.

All builders undertake quotes without any guarantee that they will get work. Its built into their overheads.

Unless he made it clear at the outset that he charges for quotes, then there is no way you are liable to pay for the time spent on preparing your quote. He should be grateful that hje at least got some work out of it (gutters etc).

If this is his immature attitude, then you are right not to have him undertaking this work.

ormus

nearly all rough and ready builders are not noted for their diplomacy skills, nor their marketing/business acumen.

dave82_2

Unless he put in writing that he was giving you a discount on the small jobs on the basis that you had given him the extension contract I don't see where he is coming from?

I also think you are right to contact the people who quoted to tell them they are unsuccessful. It’s nice to be courteous.

It sounds to me like the builder believed rightly or wrongly that he had won the extension contract. This is why he is mad.

Did you tell him he had the big job to get a good price on the smaller jobs then backtrack? If not then I wouldn't worry! He will get over it.

Don't really know what he thinks he can bill for? The quote?!?