to delay payment to a tradesman?

[birdsinthesky]

We had some work done on our house recently and the payment was split 50/50 with our neighbours, but we organised the work.

The work was meant to take 2 days, and we agreed that it would be finished by x date, because we had other work (through a different tradesman) that could only be done after that was complete.

They called us a couple of days before to say they couldn't make it on that day and would come back the following week. A bit annoying, but fine, as the second bit of work was booked in for the week after that. They came in for one day and left saying 'see you tomorrow', but then didn't show up for the second day. They called to say there was an issue with some of the materials which meant they couldn't come until the following week.

This meant we had to move the second bit of work, messing around the other tradesmen and delaying that by a further 2 weeks.

They finished the work last Thursday and it's great - we are really happy with the result. They then sent the invoice on Thursday afternoon, and I paid my half at the weekend, and forwarded the bill to my neighbour. They sent an email this morning and called me in the afternoon asking me to settle it completely and if I could chase up my neighbour to ask him to pay it today.

AIBU to not want to hassle my neighbour for payment after only 2 working days of receiving the invoice? Especially since they messed us about with the timing?

There are no payment terms on the invoice or the website, but in my experience 7 days is the shortest 'standard' term I've seen on an invoice - it's usually more like 14 or 28.

[Timeisslippingaway]

I don't think I would be chasing up my neighbour for money after 2 days. I'm with you on this. Give them a bit more time.

[HeedMove]

My work is payment on receipt of invoice for us. Once the jobs completed and you are satisfied you should pay tradesmen unless its a big company.

[19lottie82]

If you’re happy with the work, then just pay them.

You may not have been happy with the timing of the work, but that’s by the by now (you should have complained at the time) and the fact that you are splitting the bill with your neighbours isn’t their problem (as you said, you organised the work).

I’ve never seen deadlines of 7/14/28 days on an invoice from a tradesman, unless it’s been B2B work.

As I already stated, IMO, they’ve finished the job to your satisfaction. So you should pay. Feel free to leave an online review re their timings etc.

[19lottie82]

PS unless it’s a big company, they’re prob relying on your payment to pay their workers, who have mortgages to pay and kids to feed.

[BewareOfDragons]

Tell them to chase them themselves. You've paid your half, promptly and in full with no quibbling in spite of the constant delays that messed around other people, so not your problem

[19lottie82]

beware the way I understood it was that the OP and their neighbours agreed to slips the costs, but the OP organised the work, and there is no formal agreement with the builders about the bill being paid 50/50 by the two parties. In a court of law, The OP is responsible. (If I understood the post correctly)

[honeysucklejasmine]

They want you to pay your neighbour's half then pester your neighbours for it?

[welshmist]

Not your problem, glad you paid so promptly. Suppliers sit on builders hard these days unless they are huge companies.

[AJPTaylor]

We did work jointly with neighbours (shared drive) and asked the trades to raise a separate invoice for each of us. i paid immediately as i always do. i assume the neighbours did too.

[honeysucklejasmine]

Ah yes, as Lottie says, do they know the 50:50 arrangement? Was that agreed?

[Deshasafraisy]

It is your responsibility to pay the whole invoice unless it was agreed with the tradesman before hand that you would pay half, but in this case they would issue two invoices, one each.

[birdsinthesky]

19lottie82 - I did complain at the time - both times they delayed - but they said there was nothing they could do about it.

They knew about the second piece of work being carried out by the other tradesmen (who presumably also have kids and mortgages) and that that would have to be delayed if they were late.

I don't want to be a dick about it, and I did pay my half straight away, just felt it was a bit brazen to delay twice (and not especially apologetically considering the knock-on effect), but then get on my case straight away when they want paying.

[AJPTaylor]

it is par for the course though in my experience.most trades are run on bare cash flow and someone not paying can cause major issues so they are usually pretty fast on the chasing. most expect payment on completion. yanbu to not chase on their behalf though.

[birdsinthesky]

They knew about the 50/50 arrangement as we discussed it, and we split the deposit too. But there was only one invoice and our name was on it so I'm pretty sure I'm responsible.

I'm sure the neighbours will pay! Just feel a bit irked about being asked to chase them so soon, in the circumstances. I'd be fine about giving them a nudge at the end of the week.

[Kardashianlove]

The delaying is a separate issue though. If you had a cleaner come who had cancelled a few times but then came and did a good job, you wouldn’t think oh i’ll pay you in 7 days as you messed me around?!

Honestly, it’s a nightmare for tradesmen who do a job and then people don’t pay straightaway and leave it days/weeks. I would feel really embarrassed to not pay straight away.

Them messing you areound sounds really poor but this was/should have been dealt with at the time, you can’t ‘punish’ them for messing you about by delaying payment. Just speak to your neighbour, say ‘builder is saying your half hasn’t gone through, can you just check your end as not sure what’s happened’.

[halcyondays]

You usually pay tradesmen as they soon as they've finished the job. It's not "hassling" your neighbour, it needs paying.

[Tistheseason17]

It's not hassling. The work is complete. It's of a good standard - If I was your neighbour I'd pay straight away, no quibbles

[AnnaFiveTowns]

Just pay your bill! Why would you wait for 7 days? You wouldn't get you haircut and expect to pay a week later. And the builders have probably had to pay out for materials and wages.

[AnnaFiveTowns]

Sorry but this really pisses me off. DH is self-employed and it's so unfair when people wait for weeks to pay their bills.

[birdsinthesky]

I suppose it's the attitude more than anything else. I used to be a freelance writer so understand how annoying it is when people don't pay. However if I had messed the editor around with deadline dates on a particular article, I'd probably hold back slightly on my demands for payment!

Surely leaving a review would be worse? The delay was annoying but the work was good and I don't want to screw them over.

I'll talk to my neighbour tomorrow.

[Tistheseason17]

You got a builder who ran a bit late and completed his work to a good standard - this is a good recommendation where I'm from. Pay him and post good review.

The rubbish ones don't return and take your money up front. Seriously, you need to post something positive about your builder as sounds like a good one.

[Birdsgottafly]

Watching "can't pay, we'll take it away" the other night. A small business went bust because of lots of unpaid work and a mistake by the Inland Revenue. I felt so sorry for the ex Owner, he had worked his arse off for nothing. In the commentary bit, the figures for businesses going under, just because of unpaid Bills, was disgraceful.

You do need to chase your neighbours, otherwise, if it goes to Court, you are as liable.

[Carycach100]

You organised the work so you are responsible for paying the bill .The arrangement to recoup 50% from the neighbours has nothing to do with the builder.
Pay him!

[NoSuchThingAsAlpha]

OP, did the builders agree to invoice you separately? If so, it's between them and your neighbours.

[ChildFreeWeek]

I would assume payment on completion unless he agreed to give you credit.