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Work done - no bill received
Comments
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Our plumber usually waits 3 months before billing to ensure that there are no issues with the work carried out and if there are they can be sorted before the bill arrives. At the other extreme my sparky sends his bill that day by email. I've got no issue with either way of doing it.
As already said, stick the money to one side and pay when the bill arrIves. If it doesn't turn up for (say) 6 months and you feel you want to ensure you do pay and feel morally in the right, make contact and politely point out you're still waiting on your bill...0 -
We've had an army of trades marching through this house in the last 4 years, doing a variety of work from £10 quick fixes to a £7000 + VAT rewire.
I always pay promptly (and send a quick reminder text if I haven't had the bill) - and I never have any trouble getting them to come back and do more work at short notice when I need them. Just saying.
I would imagine that he's busy, that the business side of being a tradesperson isn't his forte, and he would be grateful for a friendly reminder.
There's no need for what sounds like vindictiveness - if you weren't happy with him you should have paid him off and got someone else in. Now that he's done the job, you need to do your side of the deal.No longer a spouse, or trailing, but MSE won't allow me to change my username...0 -
Can people bear in mind that not everyone needs to "put money aside" for every bill? Yes, it's good advice if you are struggling, but why assume that this bill isn't a drop in the ocean for the OP and he can pay it any time, any day of the week, any time of the year without noticing. I don't put money aside if I have a bill for a few thousand coming up.
So I wouldn't chase him, I wouldn't care if he sends the bill tomorrow, next month or never. When he sends it, I will pay it.0 -
I knew someone who had a small building/repair firm in a rural-coastal area. He had a reputation as an honest and very competent builder with a solid and loyal customer base.
I remember him telling me that the "little old ladies" were the best customers-small jobs with little profit earned but they always paid immediately. Whereas rich incomers, local dignitaries and the MP were very, very slow to pay even though they could well afford to.
I've never forgotten this so always pay a small independent trader promptly as I know their margins are small.
What, pay them before they actually bill you? That's ridiculous.0 -
trailingspouse wrote: »There's no need for what sounds like vindictiveness - if you weren't happy with him you should have paid him off and got someone else in. Now that he's done the job, you need to do your side of the deal.
He will pay him....when he sends the bill. That's not vindictive. That's not even "business". That's just the way it works.0 -
glasgowdan wrote: »If the bill may directly affect an individual paying their mortgage, get it sorted. If it is going to get lost in pre tax profits and finance departments...let them bloody chase for it!
If it is so important to the guy's mortgage all he has to do is send the bloody bill.0 -
theartfullodger wrote: »Did you get a written quote for the work?
Was is a small job (eg £25) or large (eg £163,459 extension)?
What, if anything, have you paid? How did you pay (please don't tell us cash so no VaT..).
Are you happy with the work done?
What's this got to do with anything? They guy hasn't sent the bill. He's happy to pay the bill when it arrives.0 -
Yes, it would be ridiculous, but no one suggested that.ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »What, pay them before they actually bill you? That's ridiculous.0 -
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I agree with Contessa that it's fair to bear in mind the cashflow situation of many small businesses - and pay them promptly anyway. If I've checked the work is okay (which may be debatable sometimes....but let's assume it is for the sake of argument) = I'll ask for the bill on the spot (if its not presented to me) and pay them on the spot before they even walk out the door.
Actually I regard it as enlightened self-interest to do so too. It's off my plate and I can forget about it and "get on with My Life" and no-one can say I'm not a prompt payer - because I am. It "keeps the road open" if I want them back again for another job - as they remember I paid them promptly for the first job.0
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