Builder’s final invoice 160% more than what was estimated!

Hanzy13

Hi,
We’ve recently had our upstairs bathroom and downstairs loo redone.
We got two separate estimates from the plumber and builder however we have just received their final invoices and the builder’s quote is almost triple what he originally estimated and it has really taken us by surprise, I am not happy!

When he came round to do the estimate, we were very specific with the work we needed doing and he gave us an estimate based on this which we were happy with.

I bought nearly all materials myself (wall tiles, floor tiles, countertops for cabinets etc) and he provided the wood for the joinery work and cement/grout etc. During the job, there were two things that were unexpected and that he didn’t quote for: rerendering and replastering a wall and one extra cabinet to be made. (In total, two cabinets were made)

The work took FAR longer to complete than what I originally thought, he was extremely slow despite our attempts to hurry him along and he delayed the other contractors: the plumber and the electrician...
He kept saying that the rerendering of the wall had really set him back etc but it only took him an extra 3 days to complete.

Now he has given us an invoice for over £2000 more than what he estimated.


I really fail to see how re-plastering a wall and making a cabinet can amount to £2000 in extra work!

His final invoice was extremely vague and so I have asked for it to be itemised/broken down into the separate jobs.

What else can I do as we didn’t budget for an extra £2000!!

Please advise
Many thanks

Hanzy13

* I meant the builder!!!8217;s invoice was triple what he originally estimated

pinkshoes

Sounds dodgy to me!

Was the initial estimate broken down too?

I would not pay anything until a FULL breakdown of the bill has been received showing all the extra costs in detail.

Did he mention a cost of the extras at the time?

Hanzy13

No, the original estimate was not really broken down.

I will not pay a penny until I receive a bill that has been itemised! Ridiculous.

He kept saying that the tiles I had chosen had really delayed things too as they were small - but I showed him these when he came to do the estimate so surely he should have taken that into account??

The rest of the work was just sticking MDF pannelling to the wall!

montyrebel

you did say in the title it was an estimate, not a final figure, am sure you wouldn't be complaining if it had ended up being cheaper

Hanzy13

I’m sure if you were charged £2000 extra for a wall replastering you would be asking questions.

Hanzy13

I am well aware that I asked for an estimate but in the past it has only ever varied by around 10-20% - not 160%. Surely it is understandable that I am rather shocked by the variation in price.

Aylesbury_Duck

Not much you can do until you receive the breakdown. When you do, come back and explain it on here and we'll try and advise you on the next steps.

pinkshoes

montyrebel wrote: »

you did say in the title it was an estimate, not a final figure, am sure you wouldn't be complaining if it had ended up being cheaper

There is an estimate, then there is taking the p*ss!

If a builder is working to an estimate then any additional costs that are way beyond the estimate should be discussed before undertaking, unless it is going to come to within say 20% of the estimate.

The builder did mention additional work, but the costs do not line up with what is now being charged.

Hanzy13

Thanks very much everyone for your advice! I will be back once he has given me the broken down invoice.

wesleyad

What was the estimate? You say it's 160% more is this correct (ie 100% more is double).

So roughly the original estimate was £1300 and he has invoiced for £3300?

If so there's no way he can justify that without having previously spoken to you about it. So then it would come down to his word against yours.