Work done in half of time quoted??

Be_Happy

Probably more of a vent as I don't see any way round the problem, but I really feel I am being regarded as an elderly woman capable of being conned.

I get a quote, verbal or written , but not fully detailed. I'm told the work will take a certain time and I accept the quote as I think it is reasonable for the time involved. The work is done in half the time mentioned.

Last week it was a gardener. Said there was a lot of work and it would take 2 days, but finished in one day. When I mentioned the reduced time, I was told that he had to allow for bad weather, or unforeseen problems he might encounter. He did work very hard and did a good job, but with the high cost of labour I feel I vastly overpaid. I also heard him on his phone arranging what time he would start next day with another customer, so he didn't lose a day's money.

Probably the worst one I've had was the decorator who said the work would take 2 1/2 days and finished in 1 day. Again said he was lucky he didn't encounter any problems.

I don't see a solution to the problem as the alternative would be to have workmen going deliberately slowly to use up the time quoted.

Is this standard practice, or how do I avoid it in future? (I did get more than one quote for the garden. The decorator had done a good job of work for us previously.)

phill99

But you accept the price of 'X' based on the specification discussed with the tradesman. They give a FIXED price based on what they think is involved. If they go over the time they thought, they don't charge anymore. So they have the business risk. What you have is certainty of price. If they suddenly started asking for more money if it took longer you would be the first to complain!


You could always put them on an hourly or day rate. But I guarantee that that job which they thought would take 2 days suddenly takes 5 and you pay a whole lot more.

jakemillspaek

It is called Contracting.
Ignore the time periods estimated you took the tradesmen on for a quote.
(and had other quotes)
If they finished early it is their benefit.As long as you are satisfied with the workman ship what is the problem? He/she has taken on all the risks.

System

would you prefer them to say it would take a day, then it takes 2 days and you are charged double?!

Usually people are happy for work to be completed ahead of time on budget...

POPPYOSCAR

You should not get hung up on how long they take to do the job.


If you agree a price and they complete a good job what does it matter how short a time it is done in.

jakemillspaek

Be Happy.
I don't regard you as vulnerable person AT ALL but a switched on cookie.
Sounds like you have 2 good tradesmen there.
The fact you are a silver surfer and on this forum i doff my hat to you.

Be_Happy

Thanks for input.

Yes I am happy with work done. Only query was that this happens nearly every time I get work done. Will just accept that this is the benefit of employing good tradesmen.

glasgowdan

I never, ever charge by the hour. It's open to abuse and often done by inexperienced people. A good tradesperson will set a fixed price as they know roughly how long it'll take. How long this does take is nothing to do with the customer.

If I employ trades in my own home I want them done and out as quickly as possible. I'd only start getting annoyed if they took longer, regardless of fixed price quoting.

albert_s

I'm a tradesman, and I always overtime my jobs,
generally customers are happy if you finish early,
very seldom are they happy if you over-run on a job.
as said, they have to allow for unforeseen circumstances, and, if they have quoted you a price, they cannot charge you any extra.

melb

I disagree. If a skilled tradesman quotes labour at say £400 and says the job will take 2 days i think £200 a day is the going rate and acceptable.
if the job is then completed in one day i would feel I had been taken in.

Risteard

melb wrote: »

I disagree. If a skilled tradesman quotes labour at say £400 and says the job will take 2 days i think £200 a day is the going rate and acceptable.
if the job is then completed in one day i would feel I had been taken in.

Rubbish. If they have said that labour is £400 then you are to pay £400 for the labour.

The time taken or man hours for the job is irrelevant.