Added charges onto completed quote and invoice

Unaek

Hello. I need some advice please, asap !

I hired a plumbing contractor to do some major work. Before I accepted them, I was given a quote which they worked out with me, and I was satisfied.

The work is now completed, and the contractor told me today that he had to buy more crushed stone than he anticipated, due to the holes being bigger than he thought. He asked me to pay an extra $ 500. He said he would pay half, and I would pay half.

So first question is if this is ethical, as I had a quote already, and an invoice.

Unfortunately, I should have waited a day or two to pay him, and it would have given my mind a chance to think about it, like now after a few hours, but instead I wrote him out an additional cheque right away for that extra amount.

I feel so horrible right now, as I think I may have made a mistake, and I think that he should not have done that. It was not my fault that he didn't give me an accurate quote. How binding is it and how do I know I can trust him that he told me that truth?

Anyone knowledgeable please let me hear from you. Thanks in advance.

Bermonia

Are you suggesting that you have already paid the additional funds he has asked for - if so I’m afraid that is likely the end of the matter.

[Deleted User]

$500? This is a UK site...

Unaek

Yes Bergonia I already paid him. . I didn't know that it was a Quote, I thought I was given an Estimate. After I paid him and he left it dawned on me that I may have been too fast and foolish without thinking enough. I checked my email and saw it was a Quote from the other plumber who put the quote together with me and the contractor.

The plumbing contractor after telling me that he needed more crushed stone, actually said to me that I didn't have to pay it ,or I could pay the $ 500. It was up to me. Because I didn't know it was a Quote, I thought I should be obligated to pay for it even if he was saying I didn't have to pay. I then asked well, what is it? What should I do? He said well, how about you pay $ 300 and then I will pay the rest. But looking back I dont think he should have given me an option.
It was his mistake, not mine.

I could tell him what I am saying here, that I did not realize and that legally I was not obligated to pay. . Thanks

Aylesbury_Duck

What was the cost of the whole job? Would the extra 250 or 300 (which was it, you've used both and why are you using dollars?) have stopped you going with them if the quote was that much higher in the first place?

Given you've willingly paid, I'd put it out of your mind and move on.

Unaek

Aylesbury Duck ,most likely I would have gone with him, but the fact of the matter is that I do not know if what he was telling me was the truth, and this is why it is so scary when you have a plumibing contractor come to you afterwards to put on extra charges after the Quote. He never came to me before and told me, he told me after! I do not like that. This contractor is also very experienced, and he did an examination of our property before he started, and he knew they were going to have to go deep, and so he should have known how much crushed stone he needed.

What I didn't mention earlier, is that before this happened, somewhere in the beginning of construction, he told me that they damaged and broke our water line They were excavating where they didn't think it was.. so the water line was located in an area that they never anticipated. Having said that he told me also that the water line was in bad shape before then (he said he could tell that) ,although it had only been replaced only about 15 years ago, and that was not that long ago .It was a copper pipe. He said it would be best for it to be replaced rather than a fix up job. Obviously we chose to have it replaced, and we paid a substantial amount on top of the accepted Quote. It may very well be very possible that he damaged the water line before they hit it ,somehow, by working in the area. Can I prove any of it ? Can I prove that he really needed more stone? No. He didn't even give me an invoice or nothing for all of that extra.

Most likely when I see him again I will tell him that I regret giving him the extra $300. it will be difficult because he was so friendly to me which can lower your guard and blur the line between business and personal relationships. So that is the least I can do, and it will give me some autonomy and self care back that I feel I have lost. If he gives me the money back, then that would be really great, and if not, then I have learned from this situation..I say to anyone, be happy, if you never have to go through this.

Unaek

No I don't live in the UK and never had any problems signing onto this forum,.

waamo

Unaek wrote: »

No I don't live in the UK and never had any problems signing onto this forum,.

The advice here is likely to be in line with U.K. consumer law. You need advice specific to your country.

Fosterdog

Unaek wrote: »

No I don't live in the UK and never had any problems signing onto this forum,.

There is nothing to stop people anywhere in the world joint the the forum and even being an active member however as it is a U.K. based forum all of the help and advice available as well as the knowledge of members on your rights will all be U.K. based. As there are over 200 countries in the world we can't be expected to knowtge laws and regulations for all of them so you would get more help and useful advice by joining a similar site for your own country.

robatwork

The problem OP here is unlike the more "chatty" forums, this one does deal with UK consumer law. You yourself asked "How binding is it?" and to answer that, we would need to know US consumer law.

DoaM

Unaek wrote: »

I didn't know that it was a Quote, I thought I was given an Estimate.

(Under UK law) if it was an estimate then they'd be within their rights to seek the full actual cost; if it was a quote then it would be a fixed price job (subject to the T&Cs of the contract).

Presumably you made a typo and meant it the other way round in your post?