Plumber overcharged through service company

Kav1234

Mr.Generous said:

The agent - who get the plumber the work - take a cut. That's why the bill was so high. The plumber has to factor in the agents share.

I was told verbally that there is no cut.  Unfortunately I can't find the contract.

Kav1234

Peter999_2 said:

Is there a regulator for business to business non-financial purchases?    I'm not sure if there is.

From other comments, there is a property Ombudsman.  So I will look into that

Kav1234

Vectis said:

Always ask for an estimate first, it at least gives you a chance to think of an alternative if necessary.

As others have said, they'll be a markup on the plumbers price by the agents, so it's always going to be more expensive than if you went directly to the plumber.

But, don't give them an open chequebook, as for a price first and then decide.

I understand what you say...But the way it happened is they pretended I accepted a quote or estimate and try to make me believe that...When I asked the email where I confirmed it 4 times, I received no reply. 

Aylesbury_Duck

Kav1234 said:

Mr.Generous said:

The agent - who get the plumber the work - take a cut. That's why the bill was so high. The plumber has to factor in the agents share.

I was told verbally that there is no cut.  Unfortunately I can't find the contract.

I think that undermines any action you might want to take in court or with whatever ombudsman you find.  How do you know you've been overcharged if you don't have a copy of the contract and don't know how the agent would act in these situations?

Have you found another agent?  It would make sense to do so, before taking legal action against the current one.

Kav1234

Thanks you all for your replies
As far as I know, the agent does not get a cut.
I was never given a quote or estimate.  To avoid confusion, a quote is only given onsite and not through emails or phone.  This website explains it all 
disputeresolutionombudsman.org/blogs/q-what-is-the-difference-between-and-estimate-and-a-quotation-and-why-is-it-important

saajan_12

Kav1234 said:

Thanks you all for your replies
As far as I know, the agent does not get a cut.
I was never given a quote or estimate.  To avoid confusion, a quote is only given onsite and not through emails or phone.  This website explains it all 
disputeresolutionombudsman.org/blogs/q-what-is-the-difference-between-and-estimate-and-a-quotation-and-why-is-it-important

You're focusing on the wrong thing, that's between the agent and the plumber.
The question is what you agreed to - if you authorised the agent to get the works done without consulting you again upto a certain level, then it doesn't matter what the agent agreed with the plumber. 

The question is just did the agent have the authority to act on your behalf (check your agency contract) and did they act appropriately (is the charge within the realm of reasonable?)

Brouts

This is a tricky one, as you are dealing with the agent, not the plumber.  I expect the agent will put their bit on top of what the plumber charged so it could be the agent over-charging here, not necessarily the plumber.

From reading about the service you've been provided by the agent, I would look to change to a different agent.

Good luck.