how to settle a much larger tradesman bill than expected

chickalittle

can anyone help? - my sister just feels she is constantly being ripped off....

She had some plumbing work done and at the time was verbally quoted around £200 - she works FT and as it's such a pain /difficult and time consuming to get tradesmen out to quote she went ahead with them thinking it sounded reasonable enough. But the bill sent thru was for more than 3 x what they said at the time.

She's been to SNIpef but as it is just her word against theirs they only found partially in her favour as she couldn't get another plumber out to quote her for work already done ( understandably). The bill has been reduced but it is still more than 2 x what she was originally told.

She's struggling to find the money for settlement all in one go as it is much more than she had originally budgetted for - does anyone know if it is acceptable to offer the original amount and then pay the balance by instalments? Can the firm insist on full settlement or charge interest or put something on her credit rating if payment isn't made in full in one settlement?


I did wonder whether she could take her case to anyone else (trading standards?) or once a body like SniPef have ruled is that it? Does anyone know or have advice /suggestions? She's really stressed out with it all poor thing.

Not sure if this is the right thread for this question but hopefully someone can help.

mpython

Hi Chickalittle,

I'm afraid I don't know what SNIpef is but I presume its similar to Small Claims Court in England? if it is then she will need to pay the amount by the time stated in the judgement otherwise face further actions.

if its not, then, paying what you can straight away and setting out a timetable of future payments to clear the debt is a potential way forward (as long as it clears the debt in a resonable time). so £200 immediately plus a letter saying because of other financial pressures, £50 each week/ £100 each month to clear the remainder. & then actually paying the £50/ £100 on time. From a business' perpective its better to know that you will get paid on a date rather than have to take someone to court (which will take weeks plus the court will agree part payments if the defendent can prove financial difficulties).

Not sure this is a proper answer to your post but hope it helps.

maninthestreet

SNIpef = Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation

chickalittle

maninthestreet wrote: »

SNIpef = Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation

yes - that's right. I wasn't sure whether she could still take it the local trading standards or whether it's not worth fighting any more.

Voyager2002

She could telephone Consumer Direct (which provides advice on behalf of Trading Standards for most places in the UK) and see what they say, but it is possible that the plumber was honest and found, when doing the job, that he needed more time and materials than he had expected when he gave the original quotation.

Anyway, she should have -- or should get from the plumber -- details of the time he spent on the job, the materials he used and their cost, and any other chargeable expenses. If it appears that he has been charging an excessive hourly rate, or over-charging for materials, she might be able to get this corrected in a local court under the small claims track.

And no, her credit rating will not be affected unless he takes her to court and obtains a judgement against her. Even then, if she made full payment within a month her credit rating would not suffer permament harm.

chickalittle

Voyager2002 wrote: »

but it is possible that the plumber was honest and found, when doing the job, that he needed more time and materials than he had expected when he gave the original quotation.


Yes - however, the original cost indication was £200 and the invoice was 3 x that so that's quite a significant difference. The plumber never contacted her to suggest that there was any problems. Snipef have reduced the bill slightly but it is her word against the plumbers but even with the reduction, it's still double and my sister still feels it's excessive but isn't sure whether she can take it up with anyone else - will tell her to try the CLS though and see what they suggest.

raa_thistle

*** I am not a lawyer or a tradesman, this is not a professional opinion, you have been warned ***

The question is was it a quotation or an estimate?

If it was a quotation then unless they changed the spec the the tradesman should complete the work for the price quoted.

If an estimate then its just that, an estimate, a guess. In fairness they should update you if the costs are spiralling and not just assume you can pay.

Due to nothing being in writing its verbal contracts only so its her word against the tradesman's. With it being a tripling of costs could you not argue negligent misrepresentation (or whatever its properly called). In the end though if you take them to court its going to come down to who the magistrate believes most.

Written quotations are a must!!

chickalittle

it was to re-secure a radiator to the wall that had come away. She asked how much it would be and they said "about £200" . She thought that sounded ok and told them to go ahead - rather than get more plumbers in to quote. She's normally careful about stuff like that but it was her lads room and she wanted to get it sorted - just her luck that the one time she doesn't get something in writing this happens. I had wondered about "misrepresentation" too - she's going to call the Consumer direct people next week and see what they suggest. Thx to everyone who responded

deanos

£200 to refit a radiator to the wall seems excessive let alone 3x as much

PurpleDuck

that's a total rip off. I've just paid £270 for 2 new rads and fitting - one of which was moved to a completely different wall! Plumber did a fantastic job and even hoovered up after himself.

Has she tried comsumer direct to see if they have any ideas on what to do?

chickalittle

Purple duck - I agree that it seems excessive - that's why I think she should keep fighting it and because teh difference is a lot of money, not just a few quid. She is going to call the consumer people after the bank holiday but I think she's worried that because SNIpef have only found partially in her favour ( because it's her word against the plumbers) that she won't get very far. They did have cut the plaster back, fit some 2x 4 to re-secure the radiator to that and replace the twisted pipework that runs from the bottom of the radiator. The problem is - it's really difficult - well impossible really to get someone out to give a price for a job that has already been done - and you would probably have to get a couple to prove the point.