Aibu to think they're trying to rip me off, and do I have the right to cancel?

[ChickenOrEgg6]

I need my new carpet fitted I have it here already (bought and paid for, different company).
I got a quote for the fitting, £400 (this is for v small hallway + 2 rooms). This was listed as total cost, but the fitters arrived earlier and said it was £400 for each "section" (hallway, 2 small bedrooms = 3 sections apparently) making the "quote" £1200, I expressed my surprise at this for the reason above and showed them the email quote I had received. They said "we can discount it to £350 per section" but that's still over £1000 and way more than I'd be spending willingly. They also said "well we've arrived now so we have to do the job and you have to pay" I asked them to go, They're now sat outside in a van and one of them is on the phone.
Aibu to think this is a ridiculous price and they're trying to rip me off?
Can I cancel? They hadn't started work at all and to be honest if this is how much it will cost me I will just fit it myself (nervous about doing it)

But I'm worried especially as they're hovering outside and I'm not sure if I am liable for the cost of this. I could afford it but it would make other things so much harder for me...

They were recommended to me by someone local - i am new to the area. They had good reviews on Facebook, so I'm wondering if the company is ok but these fitters saw an opportunity to get more cash, then go back to their boss with the £400 and keep the rest? God knows.
They're still sat out there but they can stay there as far as I'm concerned.

Do not pay. Tell them to go away and you can get other quotes and if necessary take legal advice. See what they do with that.

If I was paying £1200 for carpet fitting I would expect it to include the cost of decent quality carpet and be for more than one room.

Based on paying £900 for supply and fit of good quality carpet for a large living room, stairs and hallway a few years ago.

I paid a fitter recommended by the carpet shop £20 to fit a carpet to a small double bedroom a couple of years ago. He was in and out of the house in about an hour as he was doing the job one evening while his DS was at football practice a few minutes drive away.

£400 for carpet fitting is expensive, and £1200 is indeed a complete rip off.

I agree; £400 for all the work was already excessing in my opinion. We pay about £40 per room out in the sticks, and have paid £60 is per room in London.

If you're not confident to fit it yourself then don'; you'll be looking at wrinkly carpet/badly cut edges forever because of the cheeky fitters. Get another carpet fitter to quote and expect something under £100 per room unless it is an insanely complicated job.

I think you should call the company and complain

I paid £1000 to do my whole house. Including carpet!

Absolute chancers and of course you shouldn't have to pay.

I've just paid £500 for stairs and landing, that was carpet, underlay and fitting. Decent carpet too. They're ripping you off!

Don’t fit it yourself though unless you know what you are doing and have the tools. Should not be much more that a hundred, this is shocking.

Facebook the boss and ask him...

Don't let them in! And put it on FB I'm sure they will suddenly change their tune.

We paid £2300 for a whole 4 bed house including carpet, underlay, gripper rods, lifting and disposal of the old carpets. They're taking the piss big time, OP.

I would have let them do it and then pay the £400 as agreed.
As you have the quote in writing.

I think because you accepted the first price (which wasn't far off a piss take in itself frankly) they had you pegged as someone naive they could really go to town on. I'm glad you didn't let them walk all over you op, but honestly there are much much cheaper quotes for carpet fitting.

3 storey house, carpet, underlay and grippers (new build) for supply and fit was £1,500, £500 to fit three bedrooms, two sets of stairs and landing and living room.

Are you on your own Chicken?

If so, please ensure all your doors are locked. Do you have a good male relative or neighbour who could pop round for a while? (Sorry, I am all for women doing things for themselves but if they are still sat there I would find that very intimidating.)

If they stay there much longer and you are still by yourself then it could be worth phoning 101 for assistance. Their behaviour is TOTALLY meant to unnerve you which is so not acceptable.

(Also definitely get another carpet fitter. There are lots of genuine, excellent fitters out there charging decent rates. You can easily live with no carpet for a week or so if necessary.)

Even £400 is a very high quote. I'd probably pay £150 for that (and I'm in London). £1200 is ridiculous.

And I think FleeceDetective has it spot on.

Clearly a scam and of course you can cancel because they quoted you a certain price and now they're tripling it.

Tell them clearly their services are not required. Shut your curtains or blinds if it unnerves you to see them sitting out there.

On a selfish note, this is really useful; I'm thinking about getting new carpets and had no idea until now what a good quote might be!

You accepted a quote of £400. That is the contract. If they want to alter the cost then that’s a new offer which you are free to reject.
If you feel pressured/harassed call the police for assistance — tell them you feel threatened and unable to leave the house.
Call the carpet company if they are available on Sunday
Good luck

Keep that door locked and don’t let them in, that’s a scam. Ridiculous amount to charge, don’t be having any of that.

Please complain to the company that gave you the quote. Shocking behaviour by the fitters.

I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself and telling them to leave!

£1200 to lay a carpet !!!!!!
It would only take an hour 2 maximum , that's a hefty hourly rate of pay !

Tell them to go carpet the Taj Mahal or something, they are trying to scam you!