Extra invoice from builder

Hillrunner

What would you do in this scenario? We had an extension/new kitchen that was completed in February. We had an agreed price and paid weekly invoices. We also added on and agreed some extras (e.g., flooring/tiling) which were all paid for. At the end there were a couple of things they didn't do so I asked for a final figure. We were given a final completion invoice which we paid. Now we have received another invoice for £500 for some extra electrics that were not in the original contract (6xspots, 1 plug socket and TV aerial point). I pointed out that we had paid a final completion invoice and that there were also things they had not done (including an outdoor electrical point). He said he would take off £100+Vat for that. Ignoring the fact he seems to be pulling figures out of thin air I don't know what is reasonable here. Those items were indeed extra but that is why we asked for a final completion invoice. He says he has only just got the invoice from his electrician (this work was done months ago). I am happy with the work they have done but I'm very frustrated about this and he wants paying ASAP. Are there any other bills that are suddenly going to appear? In the general scheme of things we probably should just pay it but I can't shake this feeling we're being taken for a ride.

Aylesbury_Duck

Hillrunner wrote: »

What would you do in this scenario? We had an extension/new kitchen that was completed in February. We had an agreed price and paid weekly invoices. We also added on and agreed some extras (e.g., flooring/tiling) which were all paid for. At the end there were a couple of things they didn't do so I asked for a final figure. We were given a final completion invoice which we paid. Now we have received another invoice for £500 for some extra electrics that were not in the original contract (6xspots, 1 plug socket and TV aerial point). I pointed out that we had paid a final completion invoice and that there were also things they had not done (including an outdoor electrical point). He said he would take off £100+Vat for that. Ignoring the fact he seems to be pulling figures out of thin air I don't know what is reasonable here. Those items were indeed extra but that is why we asked for a final completion invoice. He says he has only just got the invoice from his electrician (this work was done months ago). I am happy with the work they have done but I'm very frustrated about this and he wants paying ASAP. Are there any other bills that are suddenly going to appear? In the general scheme of things we probably should just pay it but I can't shake this feeling we're being taken for a ride.

I think you're worrying unnecessarily. The electrical work was done to your satisfaction (apart from the outdoor point for which a sum was deducted) and you've been billed accordingly. The timing is a little out but that's all. Presumably you have some sort of schedule of work to be completed that you are checking off as you pay for things, so why would there be any more surprises?

EssexExile

Have you paid for the extra points? If not, pay him.
Is there anything else that's been done that you haven't paid for? If not then that's it, all done.

Hillrunner

We have decided that it is fair to pay. We were thrown by the fact that we thought all extras were counted for under the final sum which we asked for. I do think considering that all other invoices appeared very quickly and were paid by us very quickly, it is not unreasonable of us to be frustrated with how he has handled it. Even some acknowledgement that he's not been on the ball here would be welcome...

Doozergirl

What help is an acknowledgement of not being on the ball? It's obvious.

If you had a list of extras you commissioned and then were given appropriate charges for those extras then you'd know whether or not you'd paid for them. It doesn't sound quite like he's the only one that wasn't entirely on the ball when it comes to totting up what was done and who was owed.

He thought it was sorted at the time, so did you. You're in the same boat, not sure why he's taking you for a ride.

fezster

Hillrunner wrote: »

We have decided that it is fair to pay. We were thrown by the fact that we thought all extras were counted for under the final sum which we asked for. I do think considering that all other invoices appeared very quickly and were paid by us very quickly, it is not unreasonable of us to be frustrated with how he has handled it. Even some acknowledgement that he's not been on the ball here would be welcome...

OP, I understand completely where you're coming from. Often times, when undertaking a large building project, there are countless "extras" which make sense to be done on the spot, but weren't necessarily discussed up front, as they may have been assumed to be included, or unforeseen.

At the end of a project (which can be many months long), it is difficult to recall every last one of these, even if you are diligent and try and make notes as you go along. It is, therefore, reasonable to ask the builder to come up with a final invoice, which you would assume he would put appropriate thought into before coming up with a number. Usually, the cost of these "extras" may not have been agreed up front, and it is also usually the case that they are negotiable (to an extent - builders like to over inflate the cost of extras, and clients like to obtain extras free of charge). If you agreed to a final number, it was on the basis that some of these items have been over-charged (in your opinion) and some less than you would have expected. You make an overall judgment and agree to pay the final invoice. To then be hit with another invoice you thought had already been included is unexpected and perhaps even unfair.

Having said all of that, if you've had a good relationship with the builder up to this point, an extra £500 may be worth it to maintain that relationship. Obviously, if another extra invoice emerges, you may want to take a different stance.

teneighty

Normally the final account is exactly that, once the final payment certificate has been issued the contractor cannot come back a few months later and produce some more extras he "forgot" about. Such a late payment would be at the discretion of the customer whether they wanted to pay or not.

However, in this case I suspect it is a rather disorganised contractor who was presented with a late invoice from one of his sub-contractors. It depends how detailed the periodic valuations were and how well itemised the interim and final accounts were whether these late extras are indeed genuine extras that had been forgotten or were already included in the final account.