Extension "Extras"

SUZYKINS

Hi all I wonder if anybody can help?
Last year I had an extension done by an old friend, he gave me a good price (cash). I had a few quotes but his was the most competitive as long as I paid in cash (I guess he wasnt vat registed but I prefer paying cash anyhow).
My father in law is a retired builder/site agent & one of the guys he recomended told him that he had a reputation for giving a low price & hitting people with a big extras bill. The build went without problem, however I had 2 extra radiators fitted & an outside tap & a bit of electrics extra. He has sent me a bill for £2000 for the extras, although he used an existing outside door & window (which I had to have re-glazed with neon filled glass) & also a couple of internal doors. He also asked if he could use a window left over from a previous job (which I said he could although it was not the correct size, as I said it would keep costs down).
My problem is that he has given an extensive list of items on his extras e.g drains, moving rubbish etc which have added up to 2k however things that he hasnt done that are shown on the plans, he has not allowed me much for at ! e.g
The garage & Kitchen should have had a trowled finished (to seal them) these were left unsealed meaning i have had to seal them.
He used my back door & window only offering me £500 deduction.
He didnt fit an extractor in the kitchen (as drawing) saying that my cooker hood was sufficient (but doesnt want to allow anything off the bill).
My problem is what are my rights regarding all this ?
I feel £600-£800 would be ample for the small extras yet he is asking for £2k,
should i just refuse to pay, or pay just £700 and tell to buzz off ?
Cheers in advance.
Ray

phill99

I am amazed that so many people on this forum are willing to hand over vast sums of money without knowing exactly whAt they are getting or what the builder is providing. With this level of expense, you should have at least had a specification that you can both refer to. Anything outside that should then be added to it and priced accordingly. It may have cost you more, but remember the saying : pay cheap and you pay twice.

SUZYKINS

Thanks for nothing Phil, I am equally surprized by how more people there are that try to gloat & are so condersending than are that actually give advice.
The job was actually well priced, Its the extras that are causing concern.

Forris

Perhaps you could call up some other trades to ask for a rough quote on the 'extras' to get an idea of how much it would have cost to get them done seperately. This would at least give you a rough guide for comparison.

real1314

SUZYKINS wrote: »

He used my back door & window only offering me £500 deduction.

That doesn't seem unfair for a start. unless the window was 12 x 6?

adaze

I fear you don't really have comeback as you've paid in cash. If you signed a contract or even a written estimate at the start you might be ok. The thing is if he's an old friend you may risk the friendship if you try to go down a forceful route. The best thing would be to price all the extras yourself and then offer to pay this as you feel the other amount is a bit high. Unfortunaley in this day you are always better having something written down before you start.

SUZYKINS

real1314 wrote: »

That doesn't seem unfair for a start. unless the window was 12 x 6?

Got a friend who fits PVC windows & doors & he says the cheapest that he can get would be £850 for a pair that size (although they are very cheap & nasty).

I have asked other trades & they both think this is steap, so am now putting together a list of my prices & what I think are fair prices for him.
He can either like it or lump it,the money is in my account and will stay there unless he becomes realistic regarding his figures.
Seeing a quantity surveyor tonight to go through things
Ray