Tradespeople underestimated job; pay extra?

DD265

We have decorators in doing a job that was too big/awkward for us to tackle ourselves. They quoted us for the job but have underestimated by ~3 days. The flooring fitting is booked for next week and we're fast running out of time so we've picked up the paint brushes to help out. They're nice people, we're repeat customers and would use them again so want to maintain a good relationship.

I appreciate this is a money-saving site but would people pay extra? They don't have a day rate as such, but the maths puts it about £100. Does £150 (50%) seem reasonable, given so far we've put 13 hours in ourselves and will probably do another 10 tonight?

ETA - they haven't asked for extra money, and I'm certain that they won't, either. Ideally we'd keep the money as it'll come out of an emergency fund, but in the grand scheme of things, it isn't going to cause us any issues.

Edit 2 - this is the quote text
"To lightly sand your woodwork so that the base coat will stick, to apply two base coats and then one top coat, including all doors, architraves, frames, spindle, bannisters facing into the hall, lounge, HSL, then to apply a PVA bond coat to all plastered ceilings and walls, then a further 3 coats for intensity, £850 labour only. Allow 6 consecutive days for the work."

It's ending up with 3x wood base coats, 2x top coats, 2x wall base coats and 3x wall top coats. They did count the doors (it's hallways, stairs and living/dining) but it's taking longer than they expected.

comeandgo

What did they actually quote?  Was it the whole contract or so many days?

DD265

comeandgo said:

What did they actually quote?  Was it the whole contract or so many days?

The whole job; they gave us the total labour-only price and then set an expection on the number of days to allow.

I put the partial quote in originally but may as well stick the full one in...

"To lightly sand your woodwork so that the base coat will stick, to apply two base coats and then one top coat, including all doors, architraves, frames, spindle, bannisters facing into the hall, lounge, HSL, then to apply a PVA bond coat to all plastered ceilings and walls, then a further 3 coats for intensity, £850 labour only. Allow 6 consecutive days for the work."

tacpot12

I would pay a bit extra, and offering to pay an amount before they have asked for anything means that you are in a position to suggest what you think is a reasonable estimate. You might  have a friendly conversation with them about why they go their quote so wrong? If they don't know why, it would be worth them reflecting on this. 

comeandgo

Why did they need the extra coats?  They quoted for less so could have just done what they quoted but have gone the extra mile, I would pay them for the extra time they have been there.

koalakoala

I would pay them, and have done in the past 

DD265

Thanks all. By the time I'd gotten downstairs, I'd decided on paying extra regardless of the consensus here, but I'm glad you all agree.

I think the base coat they were using gave them a bit of grief, but also the cutting in has been a bit of a nightmare due to angles, door frames and banister.

TELLIT01

I have been in a similar position with work done in our garden.  If they had asked for more money (they only charged £440 for a total of 7 full man days), I would happily have paid, but I didn't offer it.  The main difference between the two situations is that I didn't have a relationship with them before this job.

SootySweep1

Hi
I'd pay extra too.
I'd be pleased that they were prepared to put in the extra time to do a good job rather than not so great to finish on time.

Jen

canaldumidi

Was it an estimate or a quote? There is a big difference!

Edit 2 - this is the quote text
"To lightly sand your woodwork so that the base coat will stick, to apply two base coats and then one top coat, including all doors, architraves, frames, spindle, bannisters facing into the hall, lounge, HSL, then to apply a PVA bond coat to all plastered ceilings and walls, then a further 3 coats for intensity, £850 labour only. Allow 6 consecutive days for the work."

You say it's a quote, but does the paperwork say 'quote'.

they gave us the total labour-only price and then set an expection on the number of days to allow.

'an expectation'. That implies an estimate. If the actual job takes longer than the estimate or expectation, then of course the cost can be increased.

Only if a firm quote is provided must the contractor stick to the exact price quoted.

OK- that's the legal side of things. As for what is morally or practically the best way to deal with it, that is up to you!