To refuse to pay them more money?!

[aubergineface]

Was quoted for a building job in the garden, £2200. They estimated it would be complete today but it is not.

They've now sent me this message asking for another £300. AIBU to say no, it's not my problem they underestimated how long the job would take?!

Slightly related but not, I'm also not particularly happy with the work.

That’s cheeky! How can they blame the dark nights, did someone forget it’s winter in the northern hemisphere 🤦‍♀️
I wouldn’t pay any extra, and I’d make sure that everything was up to standard before paying the agreed amount. Have you paid anything yet?

Was it a quote or an estimate?

An estimate or a quote, makes a huge difference.

@PolytheneRam

Was it a quote or an estimate?

^This

If it was an estimate you need to pay them the extra £300

If it was a quote you can refuse to.

Trades tend to text people now so they can take them to court if they give people estimates and they don't pay the full price for their work.

I’d probably think it was worth a discussion as render can be weather dependent. Have you raised that you’re not happy with the work already?

Not your problem they underestimated the job. Tell them to do one.

I wouldn't be happy with that.

If they provided an estimate, you need to pay the additional £300.

An estimate is a guess and the understanding is that it can change when the full extent of the job is established.

If they quote a price for which they would complete the project, their miscalculation is on them.

Was it definately a quote? Not an estimate?

Also did you talk about day rates or job rates, at the point of getting a quote. If job rate then don't pay more. If you agreed day rates then it's fair if they are spending more time on it.

Was it agreed in the contract that there could be a recalculation if the work took longer or the materials would be more expensive?

As far as I was concerned it was a quote but honestly I don't know the difference! This is his exact message re pricing.

I read that as a quote, they have listed out the number of days but have they actually been at yours for full days ie 8am-3/4pm?

That is a quote.

I wouldn't be entertaining additional charges, even more so as the job isn't great.

First day they worked around 5 hours because they had to let concrete dry. Other 2 days I've not been here but they have arrived between 7 and 8 and apparently left at 4pm.

I will say I was surprised when I got home last night that they hadn't made as much progress as I'd expected. But regardless, they've given me a price, surely this isn't my problem?!

What even is the extra £300 for?!

If they were really struggling to fit everything in time wise, including labour wages, then why didn't they leave that soil mound and you would then have had the choice of barrelling it yourself, paying the extra for him to do it or leaving it? Not your fault he underestimated.

That is a quote.
Not your problem.
Tell them they quoted £2,175 & therefore that is what they will be paid only.

They don't look very professional either way. Sending the quote by text, calling you mate and including emojis would be enough to put me off.
They should've made it clear if the cost was an estimate. I wouldn't pay any more.

Was putting the soil back part of the original job or something where you said "oh, that soil will need to go back" after they'd started?

I wouldn't call the original text a quote sadly, it doesn't lay out what is included in the price so you'd be hard pressed to prove they have/have not done as agreed.

What have you paid them so far?

I'd be concerned about funny business in the way they finish off (or don't) if you don't pay the new amount, but hopefully you've kept enough back of the original amount to have the upper hand.

I absolutely hate the awkwardness of this sort of thing. But he is at fault as he did not say his quote was an estimate only.

I would raise it with him but try to keep it amicable.

And the 'due to daylight hours' thing... what BS, he knew the dates when the work was to be completed so why not take in to consideration the time of year. And I haven't had a builder stay later than 4.30 ever. That seems to be the 'home time' anyway.

They gave you a quote for the job, they would have been aware of daylight hours If the scope of the job hasn't changed they need to honour that quote. If something unexpected has happened that will cost £300 extra they need to give an explanation of what that is. It's not good enough to just announce something will cost extra with no context or evidence.

I hope you didn't pay in advance!

It's really cheeky to ask for more part way through the job, but sadly very common.

That text doesn't give enough detail to be a quote, 2 labourers maybe 3, plant hire/some plant hire, he didn't say if it's day rate or job and finish. I wouldn't use them again, but I think your're going to have to pay.