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Original poster

Don't know if I should pay invoice

36 replies

Coopsmommy · 13/11/2020 00:45

I have a rental property and about 6 weeks ago I asked a tradesman if he could take a look at a job that needed doing. He didn't turn up on day he promised or any day that week. So contacted him and he said he forgot but would go round that week which he didn't so 3 weeks have passed and my husband is due time off so he was just going to go round to see if could fix problem. Then suddenly I receive a message and invoice saying the work has been completed and an invoice to be paid in 4 days. It isn't cheap at £160 so not sure how to handle this.

OP posts:
BF2748 · 13/11/2020 00:50

If the work has been completed and you hadn’t gave him notice to not go and do it, unfortunately you’re going to have to pay. It’s always hard when people aren’t as reliable but ultimately if you weren’t happy you should’ve notified him to say that his services aren’t needed, presuming is no good especially with those who aren’t organised as typically they get to it eventually.

I would check the work has been done and to a good standard before paying.

Lolalovesmarmite · 13/11/2020 06:38

I think you need to pay if the work has been done as you weren’t specific with your request. “Take a look at” is pretty vague. If you wanted an estimate you should have said that.

Original poster
Coopsmommy · 13/11/2020 06:43

I never asked him to do the job. I asked him to go round and take a look to let me know if he was able to fix it and what the cost would be. This is my problem with it all.

OP posts:
LolalovesLondon · 13/11/2020 06:47

He’s not done the job?
Phone him and ask him why he has sent you an invoice for work he’s not done.

Is this some sort of scam? If it is, I can’t work out what he’s doing.

LolalovesLondon · 13/11/2020 06:49

He basically looked at the job, quoted and didn’t turn up to do the job. Is that right?

CentrifugalBumblePuppy · 13/11/2020 06:51

I think you need to be specific when asking for someone to quote for a job. ‘Take a look’ is a bit vague. He took a look & (presumably) fixed it. If that’s the case, you’ll need to pay & learn from your mistake. £160 isn’t much for a tradesperson once you factor in call out, time & materials etc. Even him just ‘taking a look’ has inherent overheads.

Next time, request an ‘estimate only’ & ask if he was a call out fee.

On the other hand, if he didn’t complete the work to a reasonable standard, query the invoice.

justanotherneighinparadise · 13/11/2020 06:55

I would say first you need to see if he’s done the job and inspect it! Then you can negotiate the price based on 1) you asked for a quote only 2) he made you wait 6 weeks and in that time you had made alternative arrangements.

Eng123 · 13/11/2020 06:55

Does the quality of the work look ok, does the price seem reasonable? If so pay him.

LolalovesLondon · 13/11/2020 06:55

Sorry, just seen the work has been completed.
Has he done a good job?
If so, pay him.

Gatekeeper · 13/11/2020 06:55

No, OP asked him to take a look at the repair to see what needed doing. He didnt turn up, she reminded him and he still didnt turn up. Weeks passed so her husband completed the job. Out if the blue OP gets invoice from workman saying he's now done it and wheres me money!

Bluntness100 · 13/11/2020 06:56

Has the job actually been done or not? Your post seems to be missing this key info.

Eng123 · 13/11/2020 06:57

If the work is ok don't try to haggle on the grounds of he was unreliable, just don't use him again.

Original poster
Coopsmommy · 13/11/2020 06:59

So I asked him to look at a fireplace to see if it could be fixed. He didn't go round on the days he said then turned up 6 weeks after initial contact and just went ahead and fixed it without asking me if I wanted the job done. If he had contacted me to say yes it can be fixed this is what needs to be done then I could have made the decision myself as to whether to go ahead or not. Instead I now have to pay out £160 with 4 days to do it. I will grudgingly pay it but to me there is a big difference between can you let me know if it can be fixed and just go round and fix it.

OP posts:
LolalovesLondon · 13/11/2020 07:00

Annoying OP. You assumed (when he didn’t show) that he wasn’t going to turn up.
Poor communication from him.
I had work delayed by 4 weeks recently but the tradesman messaged me and kept me up to date.

LolalovesLondon · 13/11/2020 07:02

On the plus side, the fire is actually fixed presumably?
Just don’t use him again.

Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk · 13/11/2020 07:02

So, the chap went round there to "take a look". . . This would have been time out of his day "billable hours". . It's not just how long he was in the building, but that he had to drive to get there, find parking (probably) work out what the problem was. Rather than add this "take a look" time onto the cost of the repair, he completed the job there and then.ultimately saving you money and the convenience of having it done. If your DH hasn't had the time off now, you'd have been grateful it was fixed, or if the tradesman didn't do it you'd be moaning he didn't fix it whilst he was there.
YABVU in my opinion - I know this isn't what you want to hear, but you did ask Grin

LolalovesLondon · 13/11/2020 07:03

Oh, and keep him waiting for payment.
Works both ways.

LolalovesLondon · 13/11/2020 07:03

Also, how did he get into the house?

TToxicDeadMother · 13/11/2020 07:06

Sounds like miscommunication. You meant one thing by “take a look” he thought you meant go and fix it if you can. I guess it’s harder for him when you the property owner aren’t there.

I think you’re doing the right thing paying. Another time clearly say you want a quote only, not the work done. Or meet them there and be there to have a discussion. If it’s a small, quick job a lot of trades people won’t want the hassle of going once to do a quote and then again another time to do the work.

Original poster
Coopsmommy · 13/11/2020 07:12

There are tenants in the property and he was the one who said he would pop over to take a look first as he lives 2 doors down. But I suppose from now on I will just be specific that when asking for a quote do not under any circumstances proceed with job unless instructed to.

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 13/11/2020 07:13

I think if the job is done, and this is the correct corridor of payment just pay it. Yes it’s annoying but assume the tenants were complaining and it needed fixing.

ApolloandDaphne · 13/11/2020 07:15

Is it possible the tenants said to him just to fix it?

TeachesOfPeaches · 13/11/2020 07:17

What happens if you don't pay within 4 days ?

BigusBumus · 13/11/2020 07:19

Next time dont ask someone to "take a look". Agree a specific date and time and MEET THEM THERE.

I own a scaffolding company and it's amazing how many people think you have all the time in the world to just "take a look" and prepare quotes only for there to be no job or payment at the end of it.

If your tenants were there they probably told him to mend it as they'd been cold for 6 weeks?

Zen88 · 13/11/2020 07:25

I don't think you should pay as you asked him for a quote first. You didn't authorise him to do the work. He knew the tennants weren't paying so it's not good enough to do it without asking you first. If you wanted to and thought it was worth it I'd maybe pay half.

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