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

[Eleanor101]

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!

If you asked them to go buy it I would expect you to be charged a couple of quid for the priviledge.

Unless stated otherwise in their contract, outstanding payment should always be made on completion.

You have said a couple of times "of course they must be paid", but to be blunt, you really do sound like you are looking for even the tiniest reason not to pay.

If you're worried OP, just check a couple of other items on cost. Obviously there will be some mark up, but the mark up should still be reasonable.

This annoys me, the total to be paid bit, with no breakdown.

I've just asked a tradesman to proved all receipts for materials and his hours worked and bill rate as we had a one liner bill and has installed cheap fixtures and fucked up the flooring. I don't see why people should pay based on a one line amount.

It's not hard to say i had 3 guys in for 4 weeks at x per hr, materials cost was y, plus markup of 15%, subtotal, then add vat.

The trust starts to go when things are not transparent.

Of course, he must and will be paid but is is reasonable to expect to be paid within a couple of days of completion?

Well WHEN should they be paid then?! A week? A month?

This is his buisness, his livelyhood...why should he wait around for you to decide when you think is an appropriate length of time to wait to pay?!

I sometimes think I'm in a parallel universe on mumsnet, where normal things like 30 day terms for paying properly itemised business invoices are unheard of. Or stated payments for larger jobs. Or where businesses set out their terms clearly. Perhaps everyone else just carries large amounts of cash around with them and pay there and then.

No decent, well run business demands cash in hand or issues improperly itemised invoices. Checking amounts is pretty normal. Builders aren't gods.

Thanks, all, for your replies. My concerns go rather further than the doorbell (and I take everyone's comments on board regarding that). I am concerned that a bill for £2.5 k is just that - some description but nothing itemised. I know I accepted it - we were in a panic - the work was urgent but, looking at it now, I do wonder if it really does reflect the actual (and, yes, with mark-ups) cost of the materials including the door and paint. At face value, it does seem rather arbitrary.

Thanks, Chandler, for your comments. I'd been beginning to wonder if I wasn't mean and grasping! I'm not - I just want to see normal business rules applied.

You do realise you are paying for their labour to fit/build/paint etc I assume op?

I would much prefer to pay cost for the goods and a higher labour rate

Should the builder suck up the cost of collecting the item then Carol?

Chandler, the time to check the costs and amounts would have been when the estimate was given, not after you have accepted the estimate (your fault if you were in a hurry when you accepted it). Plenty of businesses don't issue itemized bills....it depends on the type of business and the norm for billing in that arena. If the OP had wanted an itemized bill and to negotiate over material costs, she should have done so in the estimating phase, not when the bill is presented. It's liking ordering a dinner, eating it and then when you get the bill, complaining that the prices were too expensive and you were so hungry you didn't have time to look at them when you were doing your ordering.

Excellent analogy, Sofia. I was searching for one but you've hit the nail in the head I think.

As other posters have said its normal to add a percentage markup. I think you are on a hiding to nothing getting worried about the cost of the work after agreeing to it. Presumably you were happy with the price and conditions of payment when you agreed to the work. The fact you were 'in a panic' is not your builders problem.

Fully itemised bills are possible but you would pay for the privilidge.

I think it would be unreasonable and unfair and petty of you to quibble the bill now.

I love these kind of threads!

OP: AIBU?
100 posters: yes!
One poster: No.
OP: Thank you poster C, i knew i am not being unreasonable.

We run our own trade company. I itemise all invoices so it is transparent and we can be clear about what we are charging.
A quote is sent out prior to work starting and if any different once work starts, ie any complications found or the customer decides on a double socket instead of quoted single, it is discussed with customer along the way.

We rarely have problems this way, as all is clear an above board. Invoice is sent out and customers have 14 days to pay. I usually start chasing if they haven't paid within 30 days, but not before that.

Did you ask for a fixed price quote for the work to start with? If they have charged you what they originally quoted plus the door bell i really see no problem. If they provided a quote and then invoice for it it's not unreasonable, they really would have no need to itemize it

I agree with most of the comments here. I'd pay the extra money. Tbh, if you fell out over such a small amount, it'd be impossible to get them back for any snagging. It's pretty difficult even without that really

You signed a contract for the amount and now it's completed your wondering if there's money to be saved!

Normal business rules are being applied- they want a profit and won't work for free! Of course they will mark up materials....

We expect payment within 3 days. It should be on your contract and whatever you signed to is reasonable.

SofiaAmes Chandler, the time to check the costs and amounts would have been when the estimate was given, not after you have accepted the estimate (your fault if you were in a hurry when you accepted it). Plenty of businesses don't issue itemized bills....it depends on the type of business and the norm for billing in that arena.

Unfortunately life isn't as simple as that. While the majority of builders are simply doing an honest job, construction and building cases fill the courts, and the practice of excessive mark-ups is hardly unknown. In fact, engaging quantity surveyors to go through costings with a fine tooth comb is the norm in commercial contracts. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the OP using her own initiative to check price to reassure herself. Most of the replies on here sound eminently sensible, from well run firms.

It's liking ordering a dinner, eating it and then when you get the bill, complaining that the prices were too expensive and you were so hungry you didn't have time to look at them when you were doing your ordering.

No, its more like ordering dinner, eating it and then noticing on the bill that you've been charged for the same item twice, or for a glass of wine when you had a cola. I don't think the charges here are likely to be excessive, but the OP is perfectly reasonable to check them herself.