Help with an invoice...

Cornucopia

Assuming that there was no advance paperwork of any kind, then I think that if it was agreed that it would be 2 cleaners for 6 hours, then the bill should have been £192, on the basis that the vague £15 per hour is actually £15 per person per hour.

Any more than that (either hours, people or cars) should have been agreed in advance.

I suggest speaking to the MD and trying to come to some sort of compromise, especially if the hours put in were actually justified in terms of the true amount of work completed.

KateLiana27

I would absolutely not accept that. I would call them and say that they estimated 6 hours x2 people after viewing the property, so your mother will pay them £192 (12 man hours and one car charge) and no more. And follow up with an email confirming what you have said. Agree that the money should be sent through traceable means.

They are taking advantage and I'm shocked that anyone would think it's acceptable to charge someone more than double an estimate without asking them first. It's cleaning - the work to be done is clearly visible to the naked eye - unlike eg structural work on a house where you might unearth the unexpected. They are chancers.

Also a lesson for the future in getting a written quote (at least text/email) rather than a verbal estimate before allowing anyone to do any work. It's a shame that we can't trust everyone to act decently but sadly, we can't.

skintandfat

The maximum they can charge you is £42

This is assuming the contract was costed or quoted in the home of the mother in law.

They have to give her a 14 day cooling off period and she has to agree to the work commencing prior to the cooling off period

They are taking the mickey

Point this out to them and ask them to review the invoice

Looking at this my feeling is the company needed the money as they were short of work and took advantage of her.

https://www.kent.gov.uk/business/trading-standards/trading-standards-business-advice/business-advice-services/cancellation-of-contracts

TuppenceWorth

Watching KateLiana said.

Sorly don't know how to quote

TuppenceWorth

Watching= what
Sorly =sorry

Doh...