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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to worry about a small overcharge on an item (builders)?

45 replies

Eleanor101 · 28/05/2015 19:57

Builders (new door and frontage) went off and bought, as we requested, a new door bell. On the invoice they've put it down as a couple of quid more than they paid for it at a local store (I know cos I checked wanting to see some instructions and, intrigued, rang store which confirmed the cheaper price). They now want the balance, including the cost of this doorbell, paid.

Of course, they must be paid but AIBU to worry that if they've diddled us over a couple of quid, they might have slightly exaggerated other costs? The estimates and invoices are quite detailed but there are no costings other than the grand total (which is a lot). I asked them for the bell receipt in case something went wrong with it and they said I'd get it in a month or so as they have a trade account with the store. In my email, I referred to the price on the email - that wasn't corrected by them in their reply.

Should I bother to ask them to confirm the price - should I stump up - should I deduct a couple of quid off the invoice. I hate to sound petty but then I don't like being taken for a ride. Thanks for any thoughts!

OP posts:
m0therofdragons · 28/05/2015 19:58

Petrol money and time to go to shop and collect?

Fatmomma99 · 28/05/2015 19:59

If you have any worries at all, I would tell them that the bill will be settled once you have receipts for all the items brought.
They'll prob just add it to the cost of labour though.

I hate that feeling of powerlessness!!!!!

TedAndLola · 28/05/2015 20:01

Why would they give it to you at trade price? They have to make a profit.

Original poster
Eleanor101 · 28/05/2015 20:08

Thanks for your replies. They didn't buy it at a trade price - but proof of purchase ie the receipt will be on a trade account - that's all. They have simply put it down for a slightly higher amount than it actually was. It's not the couple of quid - it's the niggling thought that I might have been diddled on other aspects of the bill.

Is it reasonable to expect a builder to itemise ie cost of door/paint (at least the more substantial costs like that)? As it is, there is only one large final price - no differentiation between cost of items (they're not itemised) and labour. It's a big sum - OK - but I'd like to feel that it's a fair bill!

OP posts:
FlabulousChix · 28/05/2015 20:08

They haven't fiddled you it's their mark up all builders add a percentage to material or goods cost. If you are that bothered you ahould have bought it yourself and asked them to fit it

londonrach · 28/05/2015 20:09

Petrol and time to get the item.

TedAndLola · 28/05/2015 20:10

Okay so why would they give it to you at the retail price they paid? That's not "diddling" you, it's business.

asmallandnoisymonkey · 28/05/2015 20:11

Totally agree with Flabulous - it's their mark up, which they are completely and utterly entitled to charge you. They haven't 'diddled' you as you put it.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 28/05/2015 20:16

Time for someone to go buy it, petrol to get there etc.

If you ask a contractor to buy an item, you can't expect to get it at the price they paid at the till. If you want to pay that price, then you get the materials, transport them to your house and get the contractor to fit/use them.

fatbottomgirl67 · 28/05/2015 20:18

Are you kidding? Diddled over a couple of quid? Do you really expect their time and fuel to be free?

AgentProvocateur · 28/05/2015 20:18

It's usual to add on 10-15% mark-up. Basic bus ones. You're not being diddled

AgentProvocateur · 28/05/2015 20:19

Stupid phone - basic business

Original poster
Eleanor101 · 28/05/2015 20:19

I do take your points, all of you. I am, though, a bit concerned about a bill that isn't at all itemised. Builder wants balance (we've paid deposit already) paid within a couple of days of work finishing. Is that reasonable - two days? Of course, he must and will be paid but is is reasonable to expect to be paid within a couple of days of completion?

OP posts:
Griphook · 28/05/2015 20:20

Surely you knew how much the total was going to cost you before you under took the work?

You can't really expect to quibble now if the work has been carries out

Original poster
Eleanor101 · 28/05/2015 20:21

Griphook - this was a very late addition to the invoice! After work had in fact started.

OP posts:
Griphook · 28/05/2015 20:22

Of course it's reasonable, the work is finished, personally I would want paying on the same day, the same with any other services. You don't get your nails done and pay 2 days later

londonrach · 28/05/2015 20:22

Op if a builder id expect he was paid on instalements durng build and on last day he was on site. My parents have done that as have my pil.

TedAndLola · 28/05/2015 20:22

Are you looking for a reason not to pay the full amount? Confused The £2+ doorbell isn't reasonable so now it's the invoicing terms? Of course it's reasonable for them to be paid within a few days of completion, but if this was an issue for you you should have discussed it before commissioning them.

Ask for an itemised bill if you want to check every single item, but don't expect them to have given you the price they paid. They're a business, not a charity.

AgentProvocateur · 28/05/2015 20:22

Yes, it's reasonable to pay as soon as the work is done. Have you never had tradespeople in before? You're sounding very naive about this. When did you think you'd pay them?

londonrach · 28/05/2015 20:23

When the builder finished that last day my parents paid every single penny they owned and he left. You dont buy your shopping or have a haircut and pay a few days or weeks later!

FlabulousChix · 28/05/2015 20:24

Why should it be itemised did you get a schedule of rates when they quoted? Surely they quote you agree and pay. You sound a nightmare. What will you do check the prices of stuff against what it can be bought for online! Mental

Moominmarvellous · 28/05/2015 21:18

This kind of thing makes me a bit cross, probably because DH is a plumber and people just don't have a clue how things work.

As other posters have said, it's a mark up to cover their time and costs, it's how they make a living.

Laquitar · 28/05/2015 21:41

Are you going to need more work in the future? I don't think he will ever work for you again!

Where are you OP? In london we have to worship them, we feel very priviledged if they actually turn up, we wouldn't dare to argue for 2 pounds.
Me bitter? Noooo!

DownWithThisTypeOfThing · 28/05/2015 21:48

When we had building work done, I was going to query a £200 for scaffolding hire as we never saw them use any until DH pointed out that the door we'd had fitted were a good few hundred pound more than what was on the quote (builder gave him a choice of about 4 from a brochure). Overall the job cost us exactly what the builder said it would. So long as the overall amount you paid seems appropriate then I wouldn't worry.

Reading payment, we paid most of the balance minus about 5% as soon as they finished. The other 5% was paid a fortnight later when we'd had a chance to do a snagging list.

EustaciaBenson · 28/05/2015 22:00

If builders charged you what they paid for items where would they make their money? You dont really think tesco charge you the same as they pay wholesalers do you? If they've had to make a special trip to buy the doorbell and fit it, then £2 is cheap! As for paying after completion, most builders I have used its pay on the day its completed. The builder will have had to pay for your items, fuel, amd labourers time etc, they could currently be out of pocket, why should they wait

you sound like you've had work done, cant afford to pay for it yet and are trying to find an excuse to spin this out

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