Problems with builder - HELP!

[NKA192]

I am currently renovating my flat. Before the job started, my builder provided a quotation for work totalling 10k which I agreed to. Once beginning the job however, the scope of work and pricing substantially changed repeatedly for various reasons as stated below:

• Other contractors I had arranged (plumber, painter, tiler) did not turn up so I gave more work to my builder who convinced me he was competent to do the work
• The builder underestimated the cost of the works and needed to make changes to the price.

After the first formal quotation provided, any other changes to the scope of work or price have either been agreed verbally or sent through to me via whatsapp/text. When I insist on new formal quotations every so often which show the changes to the scope of works and price, the builder refuses to provide these. I have had to accept this as I just needed the work finishing. By not having these quotations however, there's a lack of clarity as to what jobs have been done and at what cost and how much is now owed. This leaves me open to being overcharged or significantly exceeding my budget.

I assume that it's quite common for scope of work and/or pricing to change throughout the build, so I would like to know if anyone has had a similar experience and how they delt with it. Should the builder be expected to provide re-quotes upon each change to the quote or is this asking too much?

Thank you for your help.

Nikhil

Very common and we call these tradesman “devious bastards”! Can you go through all the records you have to tally what you have paid and are expecting to pay? Stop accepting him starting work without an adjusted quote. It’s very frustrating as once underway you just want it completed, but don’t let him take you for a ride. It might come to you halting work until he gives up to date documentation but this usually works best if you owe him money rather than being up to date with payments!

We have works going on and the builder will always tell us that X is going to cost at least £X on top, and then if we agree, he will give us a proper quote. I agree with previous poster, refuse to let him work unless he gives you a quote first

You’ll know roughly what the overall job should be as presumably you had quotes from the plumber and tiler etc that didn’t turn up. Sit down with your builder and ask him fir an updated quote to include the extra scope.

Why do you need it formally? As long as you have it on message. If it’s a verbal one just message him confirming. Do the maths yourself in totally it.. If the Price goes up decide to either proceed with him or not.

Thanks for your messages. All very helpful.

@AgentProvocateur, yes I plan to sit down with him and complete the paper work for the jobs done previously. Following that, if quotations are not provided I will halt the job and find a new builder as suggested by @Loofah01 and @Ineedmoney.

@Bluntness100 I need this formally for legal reasons. As a formal quotation was not in place, I'm leaving myself open to hikes in prices. This is more likely to happen without a formally agreed and legally binding quote in place (although I am aware it happens even with this in place).