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AIBU?

Aibu to not want to pay the bill....

17 replies

babylove80 · 31/07/2011 22:37

We have a guy that comes round and does maintenance jobs on the house like plumbing and electrical and other odd jobs. He's more reasonable than most firms for big jobs like adding radiators or fixing boilers etc so we use him but he is really slow. Anyway I asked him to come over and add an extra plug docket, move a light switch and move an ariel socket he artived eith another guy cos he said it would be quicker with 2 of them. They were here for 4 hours and so he charged me for 8hrs work. So basically he expects me to pay for 2 of then to be slow! I can't believe it took them this long! I called to electricians to get a quote for the work and they said it would take about 3 hours for one person to do which sounds right! NOw I'm so annoyed he expects me to pay for them being so slow. Sorry for the rant (37 weeks preggo), what should I say???x

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monoid · 31/07/2011 22:52

To be honest, I think you're a bit of a fool for hiring someone that you know is quite slow, especially when you know you're paying by the hour...
You should have gone with the guy who said he could do it in 3 hours?
Sorry not to be sympathetic, but if you knew that he was slow to start with, what did you expect? You could try appealing to his better nature perhaps?

Tangle · 31/07/2011 22:54

So you've used this guy over a period of time because although he's "really slow" his hourly rate is more reasonable than that of the local companies. You asked him to come and do some work, presumably anticipating he'd be "really slow" - as per previous form. He was "really slow" and now you're upset? Was he substantially slower than usual this time round? Did you get a quote from him before hand? Have you ever talked to him about his speed of work? How much is he worth to you as a maintenance man? Have you told him that you consider 8 hours to be excessive for the amount of work done?

You could get a few quotes from other companies and, if they're all substantially lower (in value, not just time) than the amount he's asked for then you could ask how he justifies his price and why it took so long. You could say you'll pay him the amount of the highest quote you got. But if you didn't have a quote from him before he started and you've never talked to him before then either he's been acting in good faith and will be horribly offended or he's deliberately pulling a fast one as you've never picked him up on it before (and will probably be horribly offended because you're doing it now). Either way I'd have thought you're unlikely to have a good relationship with him once you're finished. How that will leave you legally I don't know - if you just asked him to do things and didn't get a quote, I don't know how it would be viewed if you then refused to pay as you felt the bill was too high after the work had been completed.

If you don't want the hassle then the easiest option is to pay up and not use him again. Chalk it up to experience and get quotes for any work you need doing in the future.

I think YANBU to not want to pay, but you probably WBU if you didn't!

RabidRabbit · 31/07/2011 22:54

Tell him that before you went with him, you got a few cost/time quotes from other electricians and they quoted that it'd be a 1 man job that should take no longer than 3 hours. But you were loyal to him and not only did he come armed with another man, but together it took them 4 hours. Tell him you aren't prepared to pay more than double what you'd have paid someone else to do it an hour faster than he did, and you will match the majority quote which is 1 mans hourly rate for 3 hours.

Or you could just pay them and not use him again.

FabbyChic · 31/07/2011 22:55

To be honest you know he is slow, he is probably cheaper than a lot of other places/people too. So pay it. In future get a quote before he does anything and then get comparable quotes form elsewhere.

You know his work you can trust him, what is more important to you?

babylove80 · 31/07/2011 23:20

Obv I am going to pay it I just feel I need to say something as it just takes the you know what. I only usually get him to do things once he has quoted so if he's slow it doesn't matter cos the price is all ready agreed. It was just cos these jobs were so small I just asked him to pop over and do them without arranging a price. I got the other quotes after to prove to myself I was right in thinking it was too long and I was right. Thing is he is due back this week to fit a radiator and fix a window so need to know what to say as have to say something. Think he just comes round and sees £££ on my forehead!
Will take your advice and say I had these other quotes for 3 hours work but wanted to go with you as trusted reliable blah blah blah and see what he says but just so he thinks I'm stupid enough to think that was a reasonable time spent!!!!

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notlettingthefearshow · 31/07/2011 23:22

Because you agreed to the hourly rate, you should pay him - unless he promised he would be quicker than he was. Maybe in future you should agree on a price up front, then there won't be any surprises. That's how it's always works with tradesmen I hire.

If he won't give you a quote, or you genuinely feel he is too expensive, hire someone else next time.

babylove80 · 31/07/2011 23:25

Yea I agreed to an hourly rate but not to bringing a second person and not to them taking so long! xxx

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MightyQuim · 31/07/2011 23:29

I think he is taking the pee because you haven't asked for a quote up front this time.
I would tell him you're not happy about the length of time it took 2 of them to do the job and show him the other quotes. Hopefully he will drop his price but either way I wouldn't use him again as he will probably try and rip you off given half the chance.

babylove80 · 31/07/2011 23:35

Tbh I don't think he intentionally trying to rip me off just doesn't realise how dithery and slow he is! My cleaners the same I want to stick a firework up her a*$...can you tell I'm 37weeks and a bit hormonal?!?x

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MightyQuim · 01/08/2011 00:10

Well if you show him the quotes saying the job should take 3 hrs he will know how slow he is and if he still tries to charge you for 8 hrs then you'll know he's trying to rip you off.
But I wouldn't assume he's as naive as you think. If he's getting paid hourly and hasn't given an estimate he wouldn't be the first to make it last.

Morloth · 01/08/2011 01:52

Pay this invoice and don't use him again. Problem solved.

Next!

cookcleanerchaufferetc · 01/08/2011 05:50

If you didn't agree to the second person, then don't pay. But you will need to pay th 4 hours as you did not agree a price in advance.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 01/08/2011 07:09

It's your own fault. If you pay by the hour, the job will magically stretch out. If you pay for the job complete, they have an incentive to finish quickly. Live and learn... ???

Whatmeworry · 01/08/2011 07:17

What price per hour were the 3 hour people and dud they spec the work, because I suspect this depends on the type of wall etc etc

iscream · 02/08/2011 06:15

I think you should tell him you want to discuss the fee, and tell him about the quote. Ask him if he can come up with a compromise in the price.
Then have the fee agreed on ahead of time in future.

HipHopOpotomus · 02/08/2011 07:31

You shd get him to quote for the job!

babylove80 · 02/08/2011 09:05

Thanks for the advice ladies. My dh spoke to him after I told him everything I thought and he came down a bit on the price and we know now to always ask before. He's actually here again now snd as soon as he walked in a said how long will all that take you and he's said by 11.30 so I have my stopwatch here and let's see xxx

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