Builders final bill is less than expected - what should I do?

zareer

hi, i have a dilemma with my builders' final bill that I hope someone can help with .

For the work we did, the contract says the price is £8,511 less VAT ie. £10,000 inc VAT.

Throughout the contract, I have paid payments totalling £7,500 to date (50% at start and a further 25% midway through), so I thought I had a final bill of £2,500 to pay.

The final bill I got from them shows I only owe them £1,188 (ie. £8,511 less £7,500 = 1,011 + VAT).

Is this the usual way VAT bills come through, or is it an error on their part? I'm not sure what to do - while I'm happy not to pay the extra thousand, I also don't want them to be chasing me in a few weeks if they realise it's a mistake.

I should say the boss is away and it;s his secretary that is raising the bills. they also did a very good job, so I may need to work with them again.

Any views/thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks

McAzrael

It looks like a mistake to me. Whoever has written the final bill has mistajen £8511 + VAT for £8511 inc. VAT. How is your conscience feeling this week? Do you believe in karma? When they realise they have made a mistake, will you be able to tell them that you never noticed or will shame get the better of you?

C_Ronaldo

If you think yopu might need or want to use them again id mention the difference and offer to pay the difference

hjb123

I would mention it to them and see what they say - they may just accept it or they may get you to pay the right amount but with a discount for honest (okay maybe thats wishful thinking but you never know!)

babyangel10

I think it's all to do with your personality TBH, I personally would think, it's their mistake, let them find out about it and act daft if they ever realise. You haven't done anything wrong - you haven't stolen it or obtained money by deception so hard luck on them.

A bit selfish, but after spending many years being honest, but skint and getting nowhere for it I'm very much of a 'dog eat dog world' frame of mind. Would they thank you for it? Yes, but I bet they wouldn't let you off paying it for your honesty either, and it is a big amount.

I have encountered 2 similar situations this year - I had some decking done, was quoted £2500 for it, paid some in instalments but he miscalculated and the final bill totted up to £2000, leaving me £500 up. For a split second I nearly said something cos he was a great guy and did a good job, but £500 is almost the cost of this years holiday for us, so that was that paid for really. I kept the money in the account for a few weeks in case he rang up about it and then I would have paid him, but he never did so I was quids in.

And then the other day, I bought something off ebay which was either a Paypal or cash on collection form of payment, so I chose to pay when I picked it up but the guy handing me the item must have presumed I had paid by Paypal so he just gave it to me, said "thanks then, I've gotta go cos the phone is ringing" and off he went, leaving me with £40 still in my pocket for the item!

Well, I can't be buyer and seller can I?!

Nobleck

Sometimes we do jobs and alter the price if we think we quoted a bit too much, i personally wouldn't worry about it after all they'll contact you if it is a genuine mistake. Pay the bill (if it's wrong you can always pay the extra later).

duchy

Pay the bill as requested and put the extra grand in premium bonds. That way if they realise and come back you won't have spent it-and can get to it reasonably easily and who knows..... you might win