New fascia boards and guttering

leon103

I hope I have the right forum, sorry if not.

A few weeks ago I asked my next door neighbours son to quote new fascia boards and guttering to go around my garage and his parents garage (this is because their guttering overhangs our side and was damaged.

Heard nothing for a few weeks and went away on holidays. The day I got back his mother said he had the materials and would start the next day. Concerned I called to see him but he wasn't there. Heard nothing for a few days until one morning I was leaving for work and his dad called and said he was starting that day.

Now I know I should have asked for the quote first but I was caught unexpected and I know the guy and his work is very good. The work was more or less complete when I got home at 17.30 and I was very pleased with the quality.

Today I had the bill (can't call it an invoice) it's for £610 which is materials at £350 and labour at £260. I nearly had a heart attack.

On my garage he used 5500mm x 190mm fascia boards and on the other garage he used 10900mm x 250mm boards. No more than 20 metres of the cheap white guttering, two corner pieces and a small down pipe into a water tank. A quick look on screw fix shows the quote is way off.

I plan on getting another quote and confronting him about the bill. Where do I stand with it all though, I know I should have got a quote first and that's what I asked for. I don't want to fall out with my neighbours but I got the feeling they think we have a load of money and will pay over the odds. I don't think this guy is a registered self employed.

Any advice?

fabs35

As you didn't ask for a quote beforehand I guess you have no choice but to accept.

Ask him for a copy of the receipts totalling £350.

leon103

I will be. I did ask for a quote but didn't get one but let him carry on with the work

phill99

leon103 wrote: »

I will be. I did ask for a quote but didn't get one but let him carry on with the work

Then you need to accept this wasn't the wisest move on your part.

The costs he paid for materials and what he charges you for them are irrelevant.

All tradesmen mark up prices. It's a way of covering business overheads - phones, insurances, running of vehicles, holiday pay, sick pay etc.

If you asked one of the large national companies to do this, they would have charged you twice as much and would have also told you were to get off if you asked them to see invoices for materials.

leon103

But he isn't self employed and I had hoped he would charge what he paid seeing I was willing to replace his parents side because it was damaged.

hamster2013

neighbourly love

leon103

Well I spoke to him and he couldn't even remember what he charged us. He said materials were correct because he had to buy wood and need extra wood for his fathers side. He charged £30 to pick up materials, despite it being about 2 miles at most. He also charged the time to get it, which is fair enough but not sure how long he took. He said labour was for three men, his son and his DAD. I can't believe the cheek. He said it would have taken two days without him, again laughable. It is the last time I help that family.

jonnyb1978

Just pay for your half then and tell them you only authorised.

leon103

I said I would pay the other half but didn't expect it to be so much and not expected to pay my neighbour labour, bearing in mind he is 70 years old and wouldn't have done much.

I am going to pay by cheque and give it to my neighbour to give his son and say I hope he gets his share and see what he says. Since confronting the son my neighbours have avioded us.