Revising A Builder Invoice - Am I being Unreasonable

Revising A Builder Invoice - Am I being Unreasonable

Author
Discussion

IN51GHT

Original Poster:

8,777 posts

209 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
Recently had a conservatory fitted by a local builder.

After a couple of days of no progress I decided to work from home so I could keep an eye on them.

It was obvious they had no idea how it went together & kept asking me to go & help. I had to explain basic trigonometry, amongst other basic things that a builder should know.

It basically cost me around 20hrs where I could not invoice Bloodhound for work done.

So my question is, am I being unreasonable in reducing the amount I pay the builder by 20hrs at my hourly rate, I think not, but was interested to see what others thought?

DonnyMac

3,634 posts

202 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
Why didn't you phone the boss, let him know his lads needed help and saved the 20 hours for yourself?

OldJohnnyYen

1,455 posts

148 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
I don't think it's fair to bill them, you had every right to say no or talk pay before you started work.

sone

4,585 posts

237 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
I would ask yourself firstly would the job have got done anyway if you hadn't have been there, I've no doubt the answer would be yes.
The fact you were willing to give them a hand is you're choice really unless you made them aware from the first instance you were going to charge them for your time!.

IN51GHT

Original Poster:

8,777 posts

209 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
DonnyMac said:
Why didn't you phone the boss, let him know his lads needed help and saved the 20 hours for yourself?
I've told him they were incompetent & I had to help.

DonnyMac

3,634 posts

202 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
That's past tense, too late after the fact.

IN51GHT

Original Poster:

8,777 posts

209 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
The owner actually said at the time that he'll compensate for any time lost.

They admitted that without the help they would have struggled. e.g. they tried to replace M8 bolts with self tappers as a starter.

Leptons

5,113 posts

175 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
You let people that stupid do work on your house?

Did you really spend 3 full days helping these muppets?

tleefox

1,110 posts

147 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
Yes, you are being unreasonable - did you not think at any point before the end of the 20 hours "something doesn't seem right here."

You should have phoned whoever you were dealing with at the time of the problem and left them to deal with it.

CedGTV

2,538 posts

253 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
Just to indulge me, the basic 'things' that he should of known, what were they ?

And the trigonometry, would be what ?

IN51GHT

Original Poster:

8,777 posts

209 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
CedGTV said:
Just to indulge me, the basic 'things' that he should of known, what were they ?

And the trigonometry, would be what ?
Basic things.....

Replacing structural M8 bolts at the ends of alumnium extrusions with self tapers into the plastic.

The stickers on the glass that say "this side out" being on the inside.

Trigonometry was required to work out the height of the wall plate as they fitted it 3" too low, despite me telling them the height as they could not work it out, they still fitted it too low, requiring it to be refitted, under my supervision.

Despite numerous calls to the owner to come to site, he avoided coming.

MrCarPark

528 posts

140 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
Did you supply the conservatory or did they? Did they quote fixed price or hourly? More info required.

If they supplied it, I'd write them a cheque for what I think they were worth and tell them to take it or leave it.


Builders and trigonometry indeed... hehe

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
Did you get the builders on good references?

IN51GHT

Original Poster:

8,777 posts

209 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
They supplied the conservatory.

Dr Interceptor

7,743 posts

195 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
Just be thankful that you now know it has been built to a reasonable standard.

If you hadn't been there, the self tappers might have been used (and covered up), and you wouldn't know until next Winters force 9 winds.


southendpier

5,254 posts

228 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
Bill them, why not? They sound useless, you are an annoyed customer and the boss said he would recompense for time lost. You can always negotiate to 10 hours say.

CoolHands

18,496 posts

194 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
if you've already paid its going to be a waste of time. You should've chucked them off the job.

Mattt

16,661 posts

217 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
What you describe would be a contracharge, and is reasonably common in the building industry.

If the owner confirmed at the time that they would compensate for any time lost then I'd say you're perfectly entitled to deduct this from your payment after making the appropriate notification.

sone

4,585 posts

237 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
From experience (both sides of the fence) I'd never get involved in the construction or design. I'd stand back let them install it and if I wasn't happy I wouldn't pay for it until it was sorted. Getting involved involved opens up a can of worms with regard design and warranty so not worth getting your hands dirty!
If youre happy with the install now I'd ask for a discount I wouldn't think that's unreasonable but if you hadn't got involved they would have had to seek help from their boss and it would have got done.

AyBee

10,522 posts

201 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all
If the owner has said he'd compensate you, I'd tell him how much time you spent overseeing his workfarce and see what happens (knowing what the revised figure would be if you charged your full hourly rate).