Handyman invoice doubled estimate...

CherryBlossom17_2

We recently hired a handyman to paint our box room, including walls, ceiling, skirtings and additional woodwork on door,cupboard door and windowsill.


Initially we asked for a quote, but he said it would be difficult for him to give an exact amount so would provide an estimate. This came back at £350, after he visited and had a thorough look at the job. We hired him, and he's done a very good job.


However, we received an invoice yesterday and he is asking for £700. We would never have agreed to the job being done at this rate. He has claimed to have filled some cracking plaster as an extra, and says a few areas need 3 coats. Originally he said the job would take 3 days, but he was here for 5 1/2.


At no point did he speak to us about the cost rising. Had he done so I would have asked him to stop when the cost reached £400. He's also now claims that the door was an extra (it wasn't). I have this on record.


My gut instinct is to pay him the amount of the original estimate and ask him to come and see us regarding the rest so we can attempt a negotiation.


What would you do? Thank you in advance for any helpful advice.

firefox1956

Five & a half days to paint a box room ???????
Must be a bl**dy big one !!
I think your idea is the right one.........
HTH

CherryBlossom17_2

I know, we did think his progress was extremely slow. I can't fault the results but very unhappy that this has been sprung on us. We simply can't afford it. I can't understand why he never said anything during the process.

saverbuyer

Even £350 to paint a box room is crazy.


Did you supply the paint?

victor2

It was only an estimate, so presumably when it took him twice as long as he originally anticipated, he doubled the price and crossed his fingers that you'd cough up.
Try telling him you can only pay £400 now and see what he suggests in terms of a discount or gradual payment. Many such workers prefer cash rather than cheque payments as well, so if you haven't already discussed that, it might be a way of furthering "negotiations"...

kkgree1

We had our lounge painted earlier this year (13ft x 12ft so a medium size room). Needed 3 coats and included woodwork and doors.

Total was £324 but we had to supply the paint (about £100 extra). It took 2 1/2 days. He also did a number of extra jobs like sealanting the floor and putting all our furniture back.

I'd be horrified getting a bill for £700 - I think he is trying it on and appears to have strung out the job. Like others, I'd maybe offer him £400 and leave it at that.

LEJC

It looks to me as if he's charging a daily price of around £125....not unreasonable in itself but Yes I would really have to question why a room took that long...

OP did you supply the materials or did he.

As others have suggested take the approach of offering something closer to the estimate £400 or so seems reasonable,stating that it was really up to him to point out if the estimate was not going to cover the job.

Its probably fair for you to acknowledge that a good job was done but ultimately you have paid or are being asked to pay a high price for it.

southcoastrgi

Bloody hell £350 to do that, have you got any other jobs that need doing if you do give me a ring

pendragon_arther

Was there any furniture in the room? This really slows down the process. Many moons ago I was a handyman and did an empty room at a doctors surgery with the same spec and it took me less than 2 days and I charged about £180 inclusive.

CherryBlossom17_2

Thank you everyone, to answer your questions; we supplied wall paint and satinwood, he supplied ceiling paint. There was a toddler bed and a chest of drawers. He moved the bed to the centre and covered it, and my husband helped him to move the drawers.


I went back over the original estimate and compared to the invoice and talked to him about the fact that he has added several things to the invoice as 'extras' which were, in fact, always part of the original agreement. He won't admit responsibility for all of it, but has conceded on a few. We're currently negotiating the price, he has agreed to reduce it. I told him we're pleased with the work, but in future, I can't afford his rates.


I felt £350 was reasonable. What would you expect to be charged for that type of job? It would be helpful to have a few ideas for the next job in the new year. Thanks again.

macman

In future ask for a quote and not an estimate. Not difficult to give a fixed price for a job like that, and how long does it take to put filler in a few cracks, which should be allowed for in the prep anyway?
No stripping involved, so it's not as if he couldn't predict what the surface was going to be like.