Can anyone help: quoted £40k for some work, they're now billing for £90k. Can they do this?

[Boofhead]

My DH got a quote for some work to be done that was meant to be between £35,000 and £40,000. Two weeks ago the company verbally said it was on track to still be that amount.

They've emailed him today with the final bill and it is nearly £100,000. To say we're in shock is an understatement. I feel sick.

They say they there was a part of the bill filed in an old system, so they had only just become aware that it was so high.

Does anyone know where we stand legally? Can a company just increase an amount like this without any warning?

Thanks.

Are they sure they haven't but the hours and material on both systems and double counted?

My DH is going through the invoice now, and there is a small amount of double counting. It's mostly labour costs that have led to the increase.

My view is that is their problem for misquoting.

No - they haven't misquoted. They incorrectly quoted. Their misprice is not your problem.

Even if materials had increased, they needed to have told you that BEFORE they did that bit of work.

Yes it's their mistake. They can live and learn.

Their mistake

They should pay

DH is in the building trade. If he quotes someone and then he overspend on materials, he sucks it up. If, during his work, he comes across an unexpected hindrance that will push up the cost of the build that he could not reasonably have known about before he started, he discusses it with the client and they agree on how to resolve it. Submitting a bill for double the quote is something that complete Cowboys do. Please don't pay any extra.

If it went to court, and all is as you say it is, you'd win.

There was no formal contract For work that would cost you £40k?!!!!!

well...if you hire cowboys you will get fleeced at some point. A respectable company does not behave like this.

Thanks Don'tmindme. I bet you feel really big and clever now.

They're the most respected company in their field. (It's not building work). My DH has worked with them numerous times both professionally and for personal jobs. We had a quote. As far as everyone else has said a contract would make no legal difference anyway.

A contract would probably have made the eventual court case a lot more clear-cut, to be fair.

not as big and clever as you obviously .......

DontMindMe1 stop indulging yourself in goady fuckery. it's tedious.

Boof - if your DH needs to work with them again at some point, then reaching a compromise is sensible - but also bear in mind that they risk losing future work by carrying on like this.

A quote is a quote. If they have mucked up the invoicing or overspent they need to suck it up. you can pay towards their extra costs for the sake of future good will, 10% increase on the quote for example.

not goady fuckwittery - i asked a common sense question, OP decided to get arsey with me about it. She could have easily ignored it if her ego didn't like what it heard