Should I pay for this?

Emzlc84

This is my first forum post ever so hopefully I have followed the rules and am correct in starting a new thread!

My question is around the payment of a contractor that we currently have in doing some floor tiling and decorating work. I was originally just looking for tiling work, but this guy said that as he would usually charge per square metre for tiling (totalling £720ish), he would just charge his weekly rate of £600 (£120 a day) and would also have some time to paint the walls and door frames. Sounded fair to me.

On the first day I mentioned that I would be replacing the skirting boards after the floor was down -he offered to do this for me and purchase the skirtings, at a cost of £50 labour plus materials. Not his usual work he said, but insisted he was more than capable of doing it. Again, sounded fair to me.

However - on the first day (Monday) he mentioned that he may not be able to make it round the next day as he had a medical appointment to get an injury checked out. As he lives about 30 mins away he said it may not be worth coming over just for a few hours but he would ensure that the work got done as promised, and he would work late Wednesday and also come on the Saturday if needed. I wasn't overly impressed that he assumed this would be ok - I would prefer to have my kitchen available for use evenings and weekends but I didn't want to be unreasonable so I agreed to this.

Monday - Prepped walls and undercoated door frames. He left at 2pm as he said it was very hot and was affecting the paint. Fine.
Tuesday - he did not come round as discussed
Wednesday (today) - arrived at 10am due to an issue with a delivery of a tool he ordered to do my floor tiling. Fine - not his fault. Also picked up floor tiles from store in this time - great. Did cutting in on walls and top coated woodwork only as he could not start tiling. He still insists he can get tiles down, paint walls and get skirting on by Friday, so he wouldn't have to inconvenience me on a Saturday. Left at 4pm to take old floor to tip.

My question is - would he still be right to charge me £50 for fitting skirting boards, if he does this by the end of day Friday - especially since in my view he has Tuesday off at my expense? That is how I see it anyway - am I right to be concerned and to refuse to pay the £50 if he asks for it??

Sorry for long post!
Emma x

moneyuser

I think you should, you're in a weak position for this. Did you get anything in writing? You agreed original price of 600 + 50 for the skirting. Although you mention a day rate it sounds like it was an overall price for the job so as long as he completes the job as specified he is due the full amount. He's also prepared to work late and Sat if necessary so you wouldn't be losing out by him missing Tues.

You're still paying less than what he would normally charge.

PS Welcome to MSE

Annie1960

If he gave you a price for the job, then it's up to him how long it takes. He is taking the risk as the job might have taken longer or shorter than his estimate.

docmatt

Annie1960 wrote: »

If he gave you a price for the job, then it's up to him how long it takes. He is taking the risk as the job might have taken longer or shorter than his estimate.

He didn't give a job price, just his weekly rate of 600 (120 a day). What if it takes him another week?

parking_question_chap

He quoted £600 for one job, then £50 for the skirting boards in addition to this.

If he did the boards you must pay the £50, if he didnt then you dont pay £50.

I dont know why thats difficult to work out.