Quote scam?

Candie

HI
I needed some work done in the house and I received a quote from a tradesman (friend of a friend) I looked at the bottom line and although it was slightly more than I expected I agreed to go ahead.  He invoiced for materials and I paid then he invoiced for rest of job and I saw the total was more than I had agreed.  I queried the amount but he was difficult to get hold of and when he finally came round he said he added up the figures wrong when he was doing the quote!  
Do I have to pay more than the original quote? 

powerful_Rogue

Was the quote itemised?

What was the original quote, and how much is he asking for now?

Candie

Hi the quote was itemised showing 5 items - cost 4 tradesmen and materials
He is asking for an additional £900

powerful_Rogue

What was the original quote?

Do all the figures add up on the quote?

EG:

£500, £500 ,£300, £200, £100 = £1600

Or

£500, £500 ,£300, £200, £100 = £700

Candie

No the figures don't add up on the original quote but that was not pointed out to me until I was invoiced for the remainder of the work and I queried the costs - this happened around 6 weeks after the original quote.  he claimed he had told me at the time but then admitted he was lying about telling me 

powerful_Rogue

Candie said:

No the figures don't add up on the original quote but that was not pointed out to me until I was invoiced for the remainder of the work and I queried the costs - this happened around 6 weeks after the original quote.  he claimed he had told me at the time but then admitted he was lying about telling me 

So adding up all the itemised costs works out at what he is now asking for, however it's the original total price that is £900 out?

Candie

Yes that’s correct 

Spank

Then that's what you should pay, You say "the figures don't add up on the original quote" but didn't try adding up the figures up yourself, rather you blame the guy (who made a mistake) saying "but that was not pointed out to me" but he didn't realise at the time.

Candie

So it’s my fault that I didn’t add up all the figures myself? 

Spank

Partly, yes. Why wouldn't you?

MalMonroe

Anyone can make a mistake yes but the problem here is that, although this person realised that he'd added the figures up incorrectly when he was doing the quote he failed to tell you about his mistake as soon as he spotted it. He should have immediately pointed out to you that his original quote was incorrect and that in fact it was for more than he'd originally quoted in writing and then he should have asked if you were still willing to go ahead at the higher price.

Although it's always a good idea for people to check quotes and figures, we don't always - and we put our trust in others. 

I would definitely not pay the higher sum because although he knew about his mistake he decided not to tell you and just carry on and then tell you at the end that you owed £900 more.  If he had told you at the outset, then you would have had the option to say you'd get someone else instead. He didn't give you any choice. (Although he lied about that!)

It is an expensive mistake for him. I wouldn't pay any extra. He should have been honest and upfront and not lied anyway about telling you about the extra! What a nerve.