Invoice more than quote - where do I stand?

[FunshineCareBear]

We recently had a new shower fitted. We were quoted to have a shower cabinet taken out and a whole new shower installed and just foor a new shower cabinet, as we weren't sure which were going to go with.

Quote for the whole new shower was ' for the sum of £2000'

Quote for the shower cabinet was 'for the sum of £600+vat'

I didn't notice the discrepancy at the time I was quoted and therefore just thought the whole new shower install was £2000

I've been invoiced for £2000 + VAT. The VAT is £400 on top and I wasn't expecting it!

Do I have to pay this or can I refuse?

All my quotes have said plus VAT. Are they VAT registered?

It's annoying but I think you have to pay it.

YABU, you didn't read your quote properly by the sounds of it

Yes vat registered. They were a nightmare whilst here as well.

We had work done recently, he handed a copy of t&c's over and asked us to read it before confirming we wanted him to do the work. Were you given anything to read? I think you should just pay the invoice.

The whole shower install didn't say VAT to was to be added Whitescarf.

No T&Cs other than payment due in 14 days of invoice and property remains theirs until paid at the bottom of quote/invoice

VAT is added to it all, I would put it down to lesson learned, pay it and move on. Hope you like it at least!

Have a good look at the quote. Did it say Incl or ex VAT anywhere.

If not then you could have a case as it has long been required that all quotes are VERY clear

europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/pricing-payments/index_en.htm

www.asa.org.uk/news/to-include-or-not-to-include-vat-in-stated-prices.html

I think you will have to pay it, but as others have said it’s worth remembering in the future- and for clarity ask for a separate line with the amount of VAT to be paid.

You should have read the quote properly he can’t pick and choose if he charges VAT.

Legally if the agreed price doesn’t specify that vat will be added, then the consumer is entitled to assume that Vat is already included in the price.

So if they quoted £2000, without saying “plus VAT” or “VAT will be charged in addition” (or something similar) then they can only charge you the £2000. Any VAT is their problem.

I can’t remember the relevant act offhand.

Crisis averted. Plumber has taken responsibility for missing off the +vat and now not charging it.

It could potentially make a difference whether these quotes were given as options in the same document and exactly how it was phrased. Otherwise though, as others have said, if you're buying as a consumer then you've a right to assume that the price includes VAT.

Having said that (and not saying that it's your own fault) the fact that he's written +VAT on one part of the quote should have prompted you to ask him whether the other figure was subject to VAT as well.

Good news, glad it’s resolved.

What a great plumber!!

I probably should have noticed. He definitely should have! £400 is a lot.

Christ, that's a lot for a shower and cabinet.
We had ours done for a quarter of that, is it solid gold, or different in some way?