To think this is pretty shady?

[Stressedoutaboutinlaws]

Just got a new bathroom fitted, work all done to a high standard, no issues at all.

We pay the builders/plumbers separate to the the actual bathroom, and got a total quote, split into the two parts. The company offer a 12 month interest free on the products, which was around 4k, which we used. All set up no issues.

Plumber was 2k, which we paid today. He took the money, but then phoned to double check how much we had given him. We confirmed the amount, and hes seemed ok, but we've just checked the paperwork, and its says ex vat on the total for the plumber.

AIBU to think this is really cheeky?? At the 3 visits with the salesman we had, and discussing the quote, there was absolutely no mention of VAT. And the way the payment plan/loan was set up for the other portion of the quote, its clearly (i think??) That its the full amount including VAT?

Surely its out of order to give a total quote, but 1/3 of it is ex vat and 2/3 is inc vat?

Any idea where we stand in terms of arguing this? It is written on the quote, but was never specifically mentioned, and as i say, this quote was written out after discussing and confirming the total cost with us for the full amount. Can we take this further?

That's standard practice, in my experience.

Quote is usually stated, then "+VAT"

Have you underpaid your plumber?

Ah sent too quickly - because the plumber will be responsible for his own VAT whereas your bathroom suppliers can include full cost including their own VAT.

Plumber is a sub-contractor, essentially.

If it says excl VAT on the quote then I'm not sure you have a leg to stand on. I agree he should have said it verbally too though.

It's pretty standard in building and allied trades to give prices that will then have VAT added.

Our local small independent builders merchant has all prices in the shop ex VAT.

No. You need to focus on written contracts in future, a verbal agreement stands for nothing really. You'll need to pay him the vat

Yeah im annoyed that we never noticed it, I get that we should have spotted it.

Is it not strange that of the overall quote we got, 2/3 of it was inc vat and 1/3 was ex vat? Surely thats not standard practice?

If you paid him cash and he doesn't ask for the VAT, then he's probably done your job on the black economy and won't be paying tax on it.

It'll be because the materials include VAT, it's not that you haven't paid it. if you go to b&q for example you'll buy a toilet for £96 which is actually £80+VAT.
The guy that's fitted it will be self employed and because it's a refurb he's got to charge VAT. It's the opposite of shady in my book!