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Original poster

Advice required - paying a tradesman - not invoiced as quoted

21 replies

Nettyalf · 29/02/2020 18:22

Aftenoon all.... After some quick advice please!
After the recent storms I lost a few fence panels and decided to replace the whole lot. I asked a friend to quote for the work as I knew he would do a good job. I am really pleased with the work carried out and have no complaints at all. When I got the quote I put the money aside so I could pay immediately on the production of an invoice - I am rather old fashioned and would not have any work carried out that I could not afford. Anyhow.... I have received the invoice and VAT has been added to the price quoted.... This has bumped up the price by a few hundred quid and money thAt I had not put aside. I have checked the quote he sent me by text and there was no mention of VAT being added... Am I within my rights to point out to him that if VAT was going to be added then it should have been mentioned when he quoted? Whilst I can pay the full amount, it will leave me very short till payday and I will not be able to afford my food shopping for the month.

OP posts:

needmorecoffeeandcake · 29/02/2020 20:36

Is he VAT registered?

Thisismytimetoshine · 29/02/2020 20:38

VAT is usually added, to be fair.

LittleBearPad · 29/02/2020 20:39

Always check whether VAT is included in a quote. Often it isn’t. I’m sorry - could you split the payment?

TwigTheWonderKid · 29/02/2020 20:43

The price tradesmen quote you is the cost of materials and their labour so one would one expect VAT to be on top of that. Had you had a proper written quote then it's possible that it would have indicated that VAT would be added but not in a text.

wonkylegs · 29/02/2020 20:45

It's normal to add VAT to construction trades, it's good practice to be explicit but I always would assume it's additional unless they've said it's included, this is because in some situations VAT is not payable.
However I do realise that most people don't deal with construction trades that often so don't always realise this so I tell clients about this upfront and reiterate it throughout projects so it's not an expensive shock.

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 29/02/2020 20:52

Agree with PP's, I'm sorry it's been a financial shock, but always check that VAT's been included.

Going forward, I'd suggest always having a bit extra set aside when you're having a job done.

rslsys · 29/02/2020 21:23

I'm fully aware of the implications of this, but you could ask him what his price is for cash - especially as he is a friend.

Original poster

Nettyalf · 29/02/2020 21:49

He is I need VAT registered... Not used to dealing with this sort of thing at all... When I worked for a property management company we had it drilled into us that if we were quoting for work then we had to clearly break down cost of services and that VAT would added.
Sounds like I have been rather naiive.... Lesson learned for the future 😩

OP posts:

user1497207191 · 01/03/2020 08:32

No, a tradesperson is not acting withing the law if they add VAT in an invoice if it wasn't also clear in the quote.

To do so is a misleading omission under The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

The Pricing Practices Guide section 2, while having no mandatory force, is easy to read and explains to traders that:

All price indications you give to consumers, by whatever means, should include VAT.

LittleBearPad · 01/03/2020 10:54

As he’s a friend I suggest you ask him if you can pay in 2 instalments. It would help cash flow

Comefromaway · 01/03/2020 10:59

Our quotes, even emailed ones always state that the price is nett. With domestic clients we go one further and explain that nett means exclusive of VAT as they may not realise.

It’s very likely if he did it quickly as a favour to you and sent the price just by text he forgot to put his normal wording on.

Spartonian · 01/03/2020 10:59

Just be honest, tell them you made a mistake and you did not include VAT when putting the money aside. Could you pay him the VAT later on.

Theukisgreatt · 01/03/2020 11:02

Literally never had a quote that wasn't the actual price that needed paying. I've had about 100 people in for various stuff. Wouldn't be paying that.

Pipandmum · 01/03/2020 11:03

I always check as sometimes it's included sometimes not. If it is it's usually itemised, so quote is: £x for materials + £Y for labour = £Z + £VAT = Total.

Karwomannghia · 01/03/2020 11:10

It’s bumped up the price by a few hundred?
What are the 2 figures and how long did it take?

RandomMess · 01/03/2020 11:12

I would explain that he didn't state it was nett so you assumed gross as he never said he was VAT registered and you don't have the additional funds until you next get paid.

He needs to be far clearer with his quotes!

Original poster

Nettyalf · 01/03/2020 12:23

Karwomannghia
I was quoted £585 Labour and £500 for materials..... No mention of VAT anywhere 😩

OP posts:

Karwomannghia · 01/03/2020 12:52

How long did it take?
Did he ask for cash? If so then no VAT?
But we’ve come up against problems with friends before so I never employ friends now!

IfYoureNotIntoYoga · 01/03/2020 12:57

@Karwomannghia
If OP has been issued a formal invoice then it will have to go through his books so he will need to charge the VAT unless he absorbs the cost of VAT himself.

Karwomannghia · 01/03/2020 13:01

Oh ok yes

MarieG10 · 03/03/2020 17:29

Yes he should have told you there was VAT. Many tradesmen in that field are not vat registered so you wouldn't know. He should have quoted either £x + VAT or a price including vat but putting it in the quote.

I've never had a quote that wasn't clear

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