overc quoted pensioners for work

so this is on another site, so forgive me if you've seen it


A builder gives elderly couple a verbal quote for work, telling them it should be more, but he will do a good deal, and charge them 12,000. they have no idea of the current prices and shake hands, no paperwork they are old school and regretful now.


I return from holiday, to work out the builders lads have spent 80 hrs on site, to times to suit themselves, and total materials inc skips scaffold etc of £3,000 max.


citizen advice says write registered letters and come back to them, the police say call citizen advice, trading standards wont touch till letters etc are done, tax man is not interested


So the long winded question is, what possible chance is there of getting the bill reduced to around £6,000 where it should be. thanks