Estimate and Invoice vastly different

[craftymadam]

I'm looking for some advice if possible.... I need to be vague, but will try to make it as clear as possible!
We had a workman in to quote for some work on our property. He verbally discussed a figure, then about a month later we contacted him via email to confirm we'd like to go ahead with the work and he emailed an estimate of about £700 more than the verbal quote. We commented via email that it was higher than our original discussion, but he assured us we could make some savings.

We discussed the possibility of further work needing to be done once he'd started the work as things had to be removed before he could see if anything further needed to be done. He commenced the work and we agreed the need for the extra work to be done - he discussed the options of doing it as cheaply as possible (including prices for individual items etc) and we verbally confirmed the go ahead for the extra work.
Work was completed well, took slightly more time that expected due to late delivery of a main item etc, but otherwise we were very pleased....
Until our invoice arrived! It was more that £1k more than the emailed estimate, which he put down to being all due to the extra work we requested.
His invoice was very vague - 2 lines about the overall work and the amount. No payment terms etc.
All of our contact has been via email since. I queried the huge rise in the invoice and he has drip-fed us information about costs since. We have gathered all of his costings and produced what we think his invoice should be - £700 less than it is! He claims he worked more days than he did, has now mentioned VAT being charge for an item (not previously mentioned), as well as the cost of the delivery for the item.
He has threatened us with the small claims court as well as telling us the items are his and he will remove them if we don't pay.
At no point have we said we won't pay, we simply want a full breakdown of his charges!
We are nearing the 30 days since his invoice was issued, which I have read online is a legal requirement to pay by.
Would love some advice about this though!

Estimate and quite have very strict meaning in law: an estimate can change, a quote can’t.

Tell him you want a fully itemised line by line invoice. Parts and labour costs broken down. That's not in the least bit unreasonable.

I've explained the meaning of an estimate and a quote to him because he seems to think his estimate is fixed and has therefore added on the further amount without taking in to account the savings. He did imply he would save more money, hence why the invoice was a shock.

LoveYouTimMinchin - we have asked for a breakdown, he has provided vague figures such as his daily rate and a summarised amount spent on items, but his response was 'you do the calculations' so we did. Then he replied with 'if we didn't pay he'd remove the items as they are still his'

Are the items inside or outside? Also if turns up to remove goods .all the police. Can your pay what u agreed ?

Let him take you to the small claims court then. You haven't said you won't pay (have you??) you've just asked for more details on the invoice. I doubt he'd have a leg to stand on.

No we've never said we won't pay. We want to get this sorted & want to pay what we believe is right. His emails are quite threatening, I have stored them all & printed them. He is claiming he worked for us for days when he actually worked elsewhere, mentioning items charged for twice in emails etc. We just want him to breakdown the invoice properly which he is unable to do. The thought of this going to court horrifies me because I'm the most honest person ever!

Thank you all for taking the time so far to reply by the way!

Honestly, small claims court is nothing - don't worry about it! Just keep telling him you will consider paying when he has provided you with an accurate labour and parts breakdown. Any honest tradesman will be able to provide this for you. Repeat as necessary. He will probably give up if he hasn't kept an accurate record or is trying to rip you off.

Thanks you for all of your advice - all sorted now! He agreed to our calculations in the end