AIBU to be furious with DH???

[DontCallMeMummyPig]

We've just moved to Manchrster from London. We needed our London house repainted quickly before our new tenants moved in. Our regular decorator was unavailable so we desperately asked round our friends if they knew anyone. One recommended a friend of his who would do the work cash in hand. They met DH at the house, DH paid him upfront. The work was done in time. Now though, this guy is claiming DH never paid him. DH is convinced he did. His bank records show he took out £300 cash that day. He says we should refuse to pay again. I say we need to, a) cos he's a friend of a friend, b) just to be decent, however annoying it is. DH is now fuming with me for supposedly not siding with him and presuming he's got it wrong over the money. I've just stormed off to bed. Would you pay...again, maybe...just to close the door on it?

stoatie, any electrical work done on your house requires an installation certificate. If it is done incorrectly and starts a fire you risk not being covered by house insurance. Get a quote from a registered electrician.

IShallWearMidnight, of course you are quite correct, but that has not happened in this instance.

Foreigner = guvvy job where I am

foreigner - noun. A job or work done as extra to one's usual employment and without the permission of one's employer. It does not refer to the nationality of the person carrying out a job cash in hand. Foreign as in introduced from the outside.

If he can't explicitly remember, he should pay again and get a receipt in future.

How can he not remember giving someone £300?

I'd remember everything about that moment.

Is it possible that what your husband thinks was payment up front was actually just the money for materials and payment for the labour is still outstanding?

Whose idea was it to pay upfront? If it was the painters then he has been paid or he wouldn't have started the job. If it was your husbands then he probably hasn't been paid as it's not a "Normal" arrangment. Most people pay when they are satisfied with the work.

Cash job or not you should never pay up front...that should have rung alarm bells. My DH is a painter and decorator and he would never ask for payment up front.

I wouldnt pay again no, not if DH is sure he paid!

If he didn't pay him then where is the money? Sat in the car somewhere? In a coat pocket? Still in the cash machine and he just wandered off?

If he didn't pay him that money would still be sitting somewhere and he'd have come across it surely.

I'm torn between thinking the tradesman is pulling a fast one and your DH spending the money on something else.

Where is the OP because I want to know if DH found the money and is now really embarrassed?

So here's the latest. DH said up until yesterday there was no doubt in his mind that he'd paid. It was only when this guy said he was still owed the money that DH questioned himself. DH is totally honest and trustworthy. Decorator texted him back saying he's well known for being v forgetful so he's obviously just forgotten he got the money. Phew. DH off the hook. I need to regain some wife-points for mistrusting him. Thanks you lot for all your advice

The decorator and DH sound as dippy as each other. At least it is sorted now!

Being paid cash does not prove that it's not being declared. Business bank accounts are expensive.