Quoted and now bill 40% over quote.

[TheIrritableGoldfish]

I had a quote, in writing, for some work I needed done.

I agreed to the quote.

Work was completed. Bill now 40% over quote. I wouldn't have gone ahead at this price.

I'm usually fairly confident in questioning issues like this but I am expecting difficulties. Can anyone confirm that I should only be liable for the quote?

Not sure on legalities but I would think if it's going over they should be obliged to let you know while work is being done and explain why.

Did the job go over the initial outline of what needed to be done? Were additional materials necessary? Were other things added?

I would definitely negotiate.

Is it building works? Cost and availability of materials has risen sharply.

Was it a quote or an estimate?

What is the exact wording written?

Were you made aware of rising costs as the work was being done? It's wise to build a contingency in to any quote for unforeseen issues, but 40% extra seems excessive

While I agree that it would depend on the exact wording, my first question would also be 'what has changed'.

If they can explain the differences and it makes sense that these could not reasonably be foreseen, then I would pay up.

If they can't (explain) then I would be concerned that they had quoted low to get the business and would suggest something like a 50:50 split or something like that.

When deciding how to play it, I imagine myself in court explaining to a Judge what line I had taken. Ridiculous, but helps me stay calm and constructive instead of feeling they have tried to rip me off.

Too late for this time, but in future I would agree to go ahead on the basis of the quote and insist that any overrun over say 10% or even 5% must be flagged up in a advance.

You only have to pay what was quoted.

My final bill, from original quote was about 40% over. However, the quote was done Oct 2019 and work completed this summer. Imo quotes are usually estimates.

I work in the building trade and materials have rocketed in some cases by 300%

However I have also seen others taking advantage and increasing prices and blaming covid etc because they can get away with it

Not building works. It says 'Quote provided by 'company'' and then all parts listed and labour.

They didn't contact me to say it was going to be more expensive, and most importantly if I'd been informed the new cost I would have replaced instead of repaired.

@LIZS

Is it building works? Cost and availability of materials has risen sharply.

As a contractor that’s tough luck. Our quotes are valid for 30 days and if the price of materials rises in that time we just have to suck it up. If we need to increase the cost we have to inform the customer before work starts. Same with any extras.

@TheIrritableGoldfish

Not building works. It says 'Quote provided by 'company'' and then all parts listed and labour.

They didn't contact me to say it was going to be more expensive, and most importantly if I'd been informed the new cost I would have replaced instead of repaired.

Have you queried the increase with them yet? Did it take significantly longer than expected, or were there any difficulties that you know of?

If you got an itemised quote with costs, I do think that’s all you’re liable to pay. But you say you’re “expecting difficulties” which sort of hints at there having been issues during the work?

I'm expecting difficulties after querying the price increase when on the phone. I'm going to speak in person on Monday, I was very clear that I had a budget and that if it would be more than that I wouldn't have the work done.

They didn’t tell you on the phone the reason for the increase?

If it's a proper quote and there's no caveat about potential for prices to increase then you only have to pay what was quoted.

If it's a proper quote and there's no caveat about potential for prices to increase then you only have to pay what was quoted.

This. There is no querying or debate- a quote is an agreed price. The only way the price can be varied is by renegotiation because additional work is needed.

No is a full sentence.

It says 'lien is hereby acknowledged to secure the amount of the repair' it has the itemised bill. If there is an additional problem I have not authorised it.

Sorry should add thank you for taking the time to reply, it does help

We just had a large amount of building work done, our builders informed us of any price increases along the way, and checked we wanted to continue each time.

The ‘lien’ line is common in car repairs, afaik - it means they don’t have to hand over the vehicle unless the bill is settled.

However if you have an itemised quote then I still think they should only be charging you that amount.

I once had a quote for car repair and then the man said 'it was one of our young guys who did the work and it took 4 hours longer than I expected. So the bill is £200 more.' I said 'No, that's not my problem. You quoted and you chose who would do the work.' I paid the amount quoted.

I had my car repaired recently and had a verbal estimate. The bill doubled. I paid up because I didn't have a written quote and more work was needed than they thought. I was angry that they didn't tell me when they discovered it, but I paid.

I think if the work was exactly as quoted, tough. They suck it up. If the work was more extensive, you have the choice to pay up, to say 'keep it', or to negotiate.

I once had a quote for car repair and then the man said 'it was one of our young guys who did the work and it took 4 hours longer than I expected. So the bill is £200 more.' I said 'No, that's not my problem. You quoted and you chose who would do the work.' I paid the amount quoted.

Quite right! That’s why juniors or apprentices are charged out at a lesser hourly rate - because their inexperience means it takes longer. Cheeky sod trying to get away with that one!

Oh dear, 40% is an awful lot. I've also just had building works finished. We got our initial quote in October 2020, the builders contacted us in May a couple months before starting the job to inform us that costs of materials and subcontractors had gone up and they gave us a new higher quote and confirmed we were happy to go ahead with the job. After starting works, our old 1940's house threw up a few surprises which meant extra costs but we were told about these as they happened and given options. Recently got the final bill which was as agreed and expected although significantly higher than the original quote.

I would be so cross in your shoes to get hit with a massive increase out of the blue when it's too late to review your options. Definitely object and ask why you weren't informed of rising costs during the job.

The difference between a quote and an estimate is that an estimate is, 'this is what I think it will cost' and a quote is,' this is what you will pay'.

Pay them the amount quoted.