Getting the EICR certificate sent

Adly812

Looking for some advice. I hired an electrician after seeing him being recommended and tagged on my local community group on social media. I got three quotes and decided to use him to get an Eicr certificate done on my flat I rent out. He had to revisit to perform some remedial work which I agreed to and reported back that it’s all passed now. In his email, he attached his invoice and said, ‘ as soon as I have an admin day next week I will get the certificate straight over to you.’ 

I chased him up a week later and asked if I can have the certificate sent. He replied that he’s getting into it, not too long to wait.
Three days later I asked again and he was a bit abrupt and replied saying, “ as I told you I’m very busy and I’m getting around to it.”

im getting rather frustrated and concerned now. His invoice he sent me said it’s due two weeks after dated, which is Monday... yet I’m reluctant to pay it. As I hired him for an EICR certificate check to be completed and I haven’t been sent my certificate.

in this case, would it be better to delay his payment until I receive my certificate, or do I pay him and keep chasing it ? 

I hate having outstanding debt, but I dont want to be out of pocket from a sparky that has crafted me?

Any thoughts?

AdrianC

It's a fortnight since he did the work? And just a couple of days since he last said "I'm getting round to it"?
Give him this weekend...

Quite probably the invoices are sent out by his partner or admin person, while he needs to do the certificate himself.

If he chases the invoice, then remind him about the certificate. I wouldn't be paying it until the certificate's arrived. But, when it does, then pay.

Whether you use him again or not in the future is up to you. Good workmanship and good business management are different skills. Not every sole trader possesses both. I know which I'd prefer to be a customer of, if it came to an either-or choice.

greatcrested

He will want paying so he will produce the certificate. I don't see the problem. No certificate, no payment!

How urgent is it? Are you about to re-let the property and need the EICR for a new tenant? Or is this an existing tenancy and you need the EICR for April 1st?

Adly812

Thank you for your replies. It’s just needed by April 1st, so I’m ahead of it at the moment. I always pay invoices on time and of course I’m not holding back payment for any other reason but it just occurred to me the night he sent me the invoice without the certificate that I should perhaps wait until I get the certificate, as it’s  what I hired him for. 

He completed works on the 17/02. Yet his invoice date is the 15/02, which also annoys me. But as you say his admin lady I saw in the email address section must have done it for him.
he said on the 17/02 I’ll get right on the certificate and send it... gave him a week, then yesterday I asked him again and that’s when he got abrupt and said. 

“Hello 

As I said the other day I’m working my way through them have loads to get through aswel as working 7 days a week and long days as I’m busy. 

Apologies for delay I am getting through them

Cheers “

my concern is holding payment passed his invoice date? Or is this not a concern in this case?

davidmcn

Adly812 said:

my concern is holding payment passed his invoice date? Or is this not a concern in this case?

Why would that be a concern? Nothing's going to magically happen when that date passes.

Adly812

davidmcn said:

Adly812 said:

my concern is holding payment passed his invoice date? Or is this not a concern in this case?

Why would that be a concern? Nothing's going to magically happen when that date passes.

Thank you, that comment did make me laugh. I’m not the type of person that doesn’t pay bills, I just feared interest. Or if he tried to take me to court. But then again he’s not a huge franchise sparky, he’s obviously an unorganised small business. Plus he’s charged me for a service he has yet to complete. 

Right, I’ll just hold off his payment until he produces the certificate. If not, will get another electrician to carry it out.

greatcrested

Adly812 said:

...... I always pay invoices on time and of course I’m not holding back payment for any other reason but it just occurred to me the night he sent me the invoice without the certificate that I should perhaps wait until I get the certificate, as it’s  what I hired him for. 

He completed works on the 17/02. ....

The invoice date is irrelevant. Just because (as here!) he sends the invoice before doing the work does not mean you pay it!

And in this case, you are paying for an EICR. You'e not received an EICR. The job is not complete. So you don't pay.