Decorator really awkward please help

[Donkdonkgoo]

I had a quote from a decorator to paint small kitchen walls ceiling and skirting on one wall and fill cracks first, and also woodwork paint in hall and upstairs which I had already painted and some other bits in the hall like loft hatch. The quote itemisation was incorrect and things included that shouldn't have been and also some things missed off so i replied to the email listing the work that I wanted doing. He never replied and I chased him a few times but I know the guy and he said he would do mates rates so presume there wouldn't be a problem. Anyway he has done the work and he was there a max of 4 days (I was at work but I called him and knew when he was there and not there) the bill was £920 for 4 days so that's £230 per day!! I've been told by a prof tradesman the going rate is £110 to £130 in my area. I've explained to the decorator the bill is too high for 4 days work and I asked him how much his day rate usually is he response was (after a pause) £160. I've replied to him via email to say I would pay him £160 per day, he isn't happy but he never replied to my numerous requests for a re quote before the work. I think I have been more that fair paying £160 per day when the top local rate is £130. He's said a quote is a quote I've told him £230 per day isn't fair or mates rates!!! Obviously the friendship is ruined (not a close friend and not seen him for 15 years) do you think I am being reasonable?

Has he done a good job?

From what you’ve posted here he has done 4 half days work. Top end locally £130 per day, he (reluctantly aka bullshit) says he normally charges £160. I’d pay him £500. Absolute max.

Let him chase you for any extra.

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I think if you didn't agree the quote in advance, it's his problem not yours. You can pay what you think the job should be worth, and he'll have to take you to the small claims court if he wants more. Which will be difficult if there's no evidence of a quote agreed

Unfortunately, this isn't the case. When you agree for them to start work, you're entering into a legally binding contract, regardless of how sketchy it is. A small claims judge will scrutinise every aspect of the conversations, texts, emails etc they had, in order to establish the basis of the contract they agreed going forward. In my case the judge took 3 very long hours to do that over £500 that I refused to pay.

For comparison I have just had a decorater in.

He did living room, kitchen, downstairs loo and hallway at back, front hallway, staircase and landing. Emulsioned walls and ceilings, did all glosswork. I provided the emulsion for the walls, he brought the ceiling paint and gloss.

Charged me £240 and got it done over one weekend. Worked 8am til 4pm Saturday then 8am til 3pm sunday.

I had done all the prep though, he literally just painted. And the walls were the same colour which he said made a difference time wise.

Tradesmen prices for dayworks varies massively. We charge between £120 (basic, very local rate) to £300 a day depending on the job location, the skills required, the number of men etc etc.

After his initial incorrect quote I replied with a clear itemization of what wanted doing and chased hi via email 3 times and voicemail, so I never accepted his quote. In my head I thought I know the guy let's see how long it takes him cos I trust him to not rip me off. I am soooo sick of tradesmen full stop!