Problem getting amended quotes from builder after work has started - HELP!

Nik192

Before starting my renovation, my builder provided a quotation for work totalling 10k which I agreed to. Once beginning the job however, the scope of work and pricing substantially changed repeatedly for various reasons as stated below:

- Other contractors I had arranged (plumber, painter, tiler) did not turn up so I gave more work to my builder who convinced me he was competent to do the work
- The builder underestimated the cost of the works and needed to make changes to the price.

After the first formal quotation provided, any other changes to the scope of work or price have either been agreed verbally or sent through to me via whatsapp/text. When I insist on new formal quotations every so often which show the changes to the scope of works and price, the builder refuses to provide these. I have had to accept this as I just need the work finishing. By not having these quotations however, there's a lack of clarity as to what jobs have been done and at what cost and how much is now owed. This leaves me open to being overcharged or significantly exceeding my budget.

I assume that it's quite common for the scope of works and/or pricing to change throughout the build, so I would like to know if anyone could advise on how to deal with such a situation? 

Thank you for your help.

Nikhil

grumbler

Nik192 said:

- Other contractors I had arranged (plumber, painter, tiler) did not turn up so I gave more work to my builder who convinced me he was competent to do the work

 And? What are you not happy with?

- The builder underestimated the cost of the works and needed to make changes to the price.
... This leaves me open to being overcharged or significantly exceeding my budget.
...I assume that it's quite common for the scope of works and/or pricing to change throughout the build,

For the scope it's usually advised to be pessimistic and prepared to pay extra at least 20-30%. Unfortunately, equally common is deliberately to quote low and then to extort money.  Bait-and-switch.

so I would like to know if anyone could advise on how to deal with such a situation? 

Take it or leave it. The latter means finding another builder, more reliable and accurate in pricing.