Builder demanding extra payment not agreed in writing anywhere

[pinkcarpet]

We've had builders in for a week doing renovations in various rooms. Before the builders started we signed a contract which had itemised costs in it but they missed off a couple of small things that we asked for as part of the work.

We separately agreed the additional work that was required (rewiring some sockets) but were not given a separate price for it. As it was only a minor part of the total works I didn't think anything of it, until it came to paying when they suddenly claimed I had to pay an extra £370 for the additional work.

They asked for payment in cash so obviously I didn't have the extra on me at the time and they've been calling me repeatedly chasing for payment since then. Nothing was said about extra costs until after the work was done. I'm wondering how enforceable the extra payment is and what to do?

Yes of course you should ask how much extra work which you ask for will cost.

I spent 25k having house renovated. I asked for an internal window to be bricked up and plastered. Can you do it, how much will it cost? Ten second easy conversation.

A builder gave me a price of £35 per hour to do some work on my house. I agreed verbally, nothing in writing from the builder. The builder started the work and brought along his labourer. When the work was finished he sent me his invoice which had an extra £1900 added to it for his labourer. I am disputing this with the builder as having to pay his labourer was never mentioned when he quoted me for the work or at any time whilst the work was being done. I’ve paid the builder his money but refuse to pay for his labourer. He’s now threatening me with court action. Should I have to pay??

A builder gave me a price of £35 per hour to do some work on my house. I agreed verbally, nothing in writing from the builder. The builder started the work and brought along his labourer. When the work was finished he sent me his invoice which had an extra £1900 added to it for his labourer. I am disputing this with the builder as having to pay his labourer was never mentioned when he quoted me for the work or at any time whilst the work was being done. I’ve paid the builder his money but refuse to pay for his labourer. He’s now threatening me with court action. Should I have to pay??

You asked a builder to do some extra work but didn't get a price first? That's nuts. You're lucky they only charged you £370. They could have charged whatever they wanted. Always get the price before you tell a tradesman to go ahead.

After agreeing on a price of 7k for a set of works, you requested additional work and then disputed the added costs. It seems that you were aware of what you were doing.
This is quite common and why the owners of these businesses are asking for money upfront and full payment before works are completed.

You should ask for an invoice. I can’t see how they could set a collection agency on you without an invoice so I wouldn’t worry about that just yet!

Did he tell you how long the job would take? Because one man at £35 ph will take longer than 2 men.

It’s also likely the labourer was being charged out at less than £35 ph, so using just the builder may have been more expensive.

Pay the man.

You need to start your own thread @Lalass60 - most people won’t see your post and think they’re answering the OP from 2017!

In your case - did the builder say how many hours the job would take @£35 per hour? The answer to that depends on if you should pay the labourer. If the labourer made it quicker or made it the same amount of hours, then the overall cost of the job is the same.

One man building a wall will take twice as many £35 hours as 2 men.