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Original poster

Builder has charged me for quotation!

98 replies

Mitosisgirl · 16/11/2020 17:53

Hi all,

We have a three bed semi which we are renovating. It's a small project. No need for planning permission, just building regulations.

We are in a bit of a situation with a builder who gave us a quote. We didn't go for him, as he was too expensive and the quote was wishy washy. He used a quantity surveyor for the quote. He was bitter when we went for someone else and complained about how we used his architect, ideas and that he spent 300 quid on the quantity surveyor. We felt a bit bad and said that we will pay that amount. He just sent us an invoice for 540 quid! We didn't sign anything and weren't told upfront about this cost.

Are we obliged to pay? Do we have a legal leg to stand on?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 21/11/2020 20:36

@generalexpert

I use a QS, but that's for multi-million pound construction jobs. I've also done quite a bit of domestic work on my own house and never had a builder engage a QS.

Ignore him. Give him nothing.

We thought the QS was a waste of time for such a small project. The QS didn't visit the house either. They went off on what the builder advised.
OP posts:
Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 21/11/2020 20:38

@Smallgoon

I'm confused. You've already paid the architect that the builder recommended, for using the plans that they drew up. So why do you need to pay the builder? Seems as though he's charging an intro fee, because he sure as hell should not be charging for a quote. Particularly if the quote was 'wishy-washy'.
They are estimates that are subject to change. Don't know why her bothered with a QS.
OP posts:
OMGisthisforreal · 22/11/2020 09:45

Oh, I misunderstood regarding you using an Architect, I assumed he sent out the tender documentation - sorry!
I hope that all of the other posters have convinced you that this builder has no grounds to invoice you. It is usual practice for all of us to get about 3 quotes for any job around the house and especially for major expenditure like building work, so if anyone demands payment to give a quote it should be stipulated before they first visit the property, or before they put themselves out of pocket, like this builder claims. It’s part of his usual building business experience - he wins some, he loses some. And in his case he’s being a cheeky so and so.

Smallgoon · 22/11/2020 12:03

Be keen to know what you end up doing OP.

Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 26/11/2020 15:16

Hi all, we ignored the builder, in the hope that we would get a clearer idea of what to do. He messaged us today asking for the payment. Thinking about writing the following:

Hi xxx, 560 GBP is far too much for a quote, especially for a small house project. This cost was not specified in the first place, nor did we sign a contract. Furthermore, we could not use your services, because your quote was far too high and we genuinely felt that there was no room for negotiation. Your availability was an issue for us too.
We were willing to pay 300 GBP (which was the cost that you mentioned before), as a goodwill gesture, rather than a contractual matter.
However, we should not really be charged for quotes, especially when we were not made aware of the exorbitant cost for this in the first place.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 26/11/2020 15:18

Is it polite enough?
Really wish we hadn't offered to pay him the 300 quid in the first place!

OP posts:
AgentProvocateur · 26/11/2020 15:27

Was there a huge difference between his quote and the one you went for? Working in construction, I’d always rather take the QS’s costs than a builders. Also, make sure you’re comparing like with like.

Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 26/11/2020 15:35

This guy's quote using a QS was 67k excluding VAT. The guy who we are using is charging us 58k including VAT and is offering us more (like full plastering, sanitary ware, etc). The non-QS quote is actually more detailed than the QS quote.

It's also important to note that a QS NEVER came to our house. They were instructed by the builder.

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HerFlowersToLove · 26/11/2020 15:44

I wouldn't pay him anything. I'd just ask him for a copy of any document you signed agreeing to pay him for the quote. Obviously he won't be able to provide it. It's always good to put the onus back on CFers to provide evidence.

MummytoCSJH · 26/11/2020 16:51

Too polite I'd say, he's badgering you now in the hopes you'll pay to shut him up!

I'd make it clearer that you're no longer willing to pay the £300 'as a goodwill gesture' due to his insistence and upon seeking legal advice you understand you are not obliged to. Ask him not to contact you again as he is already aware you have taken up the work with somebody else.

Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 26/11/2020 17:27

@HerFlowersToLove and @MummytoCSJH

Thank you for your advice! That's actually very helpful

OP posts:
Smallgoon · 26/11/2020 17:34

I wouldn't even mention the £300 you offered (did you offer this in writing/on text etc)?

I'd add that you've sought legal advice from a friend who advised you should deffo not be charged for a quote. I doubt you'll heard from him again.

DorisDaisyMay · 26/11/2020 17:42

How my husband works is that he offers a free estimate for work. If people want a quote then there is a cost but that is reimbursed if the client decides to go for the work.

It appears there was no conversation about money upfront and that is his responsibility to discuss and have a have a system in place for.

Without such a conversation I think its reasonable that you would assume the quote is free. The only grey area for me is if you have used his original plans etc in order to get other quotes.

DorisDaisyMay · 26/11/2020 17:44

Sorry I read the first page and didn't realise this thread was on page three already!

Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 26/11/2020 17:58

@Smallgoon

I wouldn't even mention the £300 you offered (did you offer this in writing/on text etc)?

I'd add that you've sought legal advice from a friend who advised you should deffo not be charged for a quote. I doubt you'll heard from him again.

We were total idiots and we did! Face palm
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Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 26/11/2020 17:59

@DorisDaisyMay

Sorry I read the first page and didn't realise this thread was on page three already!
No need to apologise. Thank you for the post.
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Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 26/11/2020 18:00

We didn't use his cost plan for anything.

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OMGisthisforreal · 26/11/2020 19:48

A QA doesn’t need to visit, they work off drawings and other info from builder.
I agree with other posters, don’t be apologetic, say you’ve checked with other builders, friends and family, etc. and he is not entitled to charge you for a quote, therefore you will not be paying him anything and you consider this matter now closed.
Leave it at that, don’t explain or excuse, just be clear that you’re not going to be bullied or coerced into paying a bill he had no right to present.

Smallgoon · 26/11/2020 22:08

@Mitosisgirl We were total idiots and we did! Face palm

TBH, he was disingenuous in the first place, so I wouldn't care too much. If it were me, I'd simply message him to say you've sought legal advice, and have been advised you should not be paying him for a quote. And if indeed you were required to, he should have specified and agreed this with you, prior to him putting together the quote, which you yourself described as 'wishy-washy". I would not be paying him £300 for putting some numbers together.

Nolie100 · 26/11/2020 23:03

Exactly the same thing happened to us!

Turned out our free building quote was not free at all, as the builder got a structural surveyor to do some "measurements," all without explaining or informing us of the cost.

I think the advice above by Smallgoon and OMG is good. We were advised by a solicitor friend not to make any offer of payment as that was an admission that he had carried out work worthy of payment.

I'd log everything down in writing and if you are ready fight it out in a small claims court (they also offer arbitration).

Our situation never got to court as the builder eventually backed down (he had sent us no paperwork at all and had behaved appallingly) but it was stressful, so do feel for you.

Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 26/11/2020 23:29

@OMGisthisforreal and @Smallgoon
Thanks so much! Really appreciate it.

@Nolie100
Thank you for sharing your experience. Gives us confidence.

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Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 28/11/2020 08:08

Hi all, got a reply from the contractor, which I have attached below. Contacts wise, we used the architect who he recommended. Ideas wise, he suggested that we add an extra bedroom and change the layout. We felt guilty at the start, but came to our senses when the 540 invoice came.

Builder has charged me for quotation!
OP posts:
WattleOn · 28/11/2020 08:29

I do not think you should respond to his message.

He has acknowledged there is no legal ‘right’ to pay his costs. In fact, if the architect was his recommendation, perhaps he should chase the architect for a finder’s fee.

Original poster
Mitosisgirl · 28/11/2020 08:38

@WattleOn

I do not think you should respond to his message.

He has acknowledged there is no legal ‘right’ to pay his costs. In fact, if the architect was his recommendation, perhaps he should chase the architect for a finder’s fee.

Don't know why he is so bitter. Thought this was just part and parcel of the business.
OP posts:
Smallgoon · 28/11/2020 13:23

But you paid the architect that he recommended? Did he specify upfront that there would be a finder's fee?

Did the other builders you got a quote from make similar suggestions in terms of layout etc?

He was never upfront about costs that would be incurred from the quote regardless of whether you used his services or not. He is being v. cheeky and I would suggest you tell him to go via a small claims court (he won't) if he is so sure that he is now legally owed money.