Help with contract

[mainebankelec]

Firstly sorry if this is the wrong section of forum.

I provided a customer with a quotation after we carried out a PIR of a domestic property and the quotation was of faults identified during this.

Customer rung up 2-3 weeks ago and said we were to start the job. He only allowed us in at certain times of the day. The first day was tue at 12 and next day was a friday at 9.
He has now contacted us after the work was completed and electrical installation certificate provided saying that price is to high and he wants a break down of material used and labour.

My terms for a quotation are that we never break down a quotation into individual parts and labour

I was just wondering but is a verbal agreement legally binding and what would other people do in this situation.

He is trying to say that we completed quick and that we allowed to much time for the job but my argument is that if job took longer to complete i couldnt turn round and say you owe me more money lol

other peoples views would be much appreciated

 

[mainebankelec]

Give him a brake down of prices and get him to sign for it, dont forget to use an invoice pad, so that you will have a copy. if he signs then you have proof. long shot but you never know?

I would but what way does it work because we allowed for 3day 2 person labour and were only there 2day 2 people he is going to argue that he shouldnt pay for extra labour whereas he accepted quote at the start

 

[saabuldin]

I was told by an electrician working for a company that they did a rewire and customer wasnt paying. So boss sends the whole team round with there gear to take all materials back. Customer opens door and sees the whole gang with there cutters in there hands. He ran upstairs and came down with all the cash.

 

[Gravid]

he phoned up to say he had been talking to his mates who were electricians

Yeah right, so why didn't they do the job? Load of horse __, he's defo trying it on. I agree with what fire says or you could always bill the neighbour instead. Good luck.

 

[Martin Bradley]

Better to have somthing than nothing.
sorry about that chap.
that will never happen again, makes me think, if you dont sign then you dont get work done mate, they should do a program about people that dont pay up and scam trades men.

 

[mainebankelec]

its getting to a stage in everyones work that a quote will be be 20% materials 20% labour and 60% wasting time on chasing or trying to get paid .

Another one we done about 3 mth ago for £150 inc vat we landed up to place and they said aw we have vat bill this month we will pay you in another 2-3 months not happy at all

 

[timo1]

I feel for you mate, I have had my first experience of a customer who refused to pay for a job that overan due to problems that could not have been foreseen. People are trying it on at the moment thinking they can get work done for naff all and drive down the price (always after the work has been done) I've always believed in live and let live but all my jobs are now a written contract and I will go to small claims court. If someone gets awkward about payment I write a report detailing everything that I have done, faults rectified etc... in the hope that if it went court the chips would fall on my side. Good luck.

 

[fire]

this is what a builder did when he wasnt paid.

Builder | Hit back | Demolished porch and conservatory | Not paid for | The Sun |News

as i said earlier just go back and get the consumer unit out, leave the rest safe and take pics with date and time on it.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

this is what a builder did when he wasnt paid.

Builder | Hit back | Demolished porch and conservatory | Not paid for | The Sun |News

as i said earlier just go back and get the consumer unit out, leave the rest safe and take pics with date and time on it.

i don't think this will work somehow. Criminal damage? IMO, small claims court proceedings.

 

[bugsy]

Don't take any bull****,
1 If his mates an electrician why did'nt he do it
2. Tell him the goods remain yours until paid for'
3. Tell him your going to take him to court to either seek payment or remove goods ( and you'll charge him for it)
4' send him a letter 'without predjudice' detailing your intentions