i have just been sent an invoice from a builder who i asked to tendor for an extension. he is invoicing me for two site visits, writing two letters, telephoning my architect and me and preparing a four page tendor.
because i have said that i am not going to progress with the job he has invoiced me for the above!
at no point did i sign any documentation to say he had the job nor did he say there would be a charge for his time!
what do i do? do i ignore his letter and wait to see what the outcome is or do i just pay the invoice?
2007-02-10 02:41:41 · 13 answers · asked by bluecow 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Usually no,unless you agreed to that.
2007-02-10 02:44:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, the most important thing here is that you've mentioned the fact that you have an Architect. Assuming you have got yourself a propoer Architect and not just some bloke drawing up plans in his spare time, the Architect is usually responsible for arranging and managing the tender process on behalf of the client. Check your letter of appoinment to the Architect or any other standard form of agreement that you have with them to determine what services you are paying them to provide. If they are chraging you to run the entire job from start to finish then they should be sorting out this issue.
Secondly, in common law and indeed contractural law, people can't just go about charging people for stuff whenever or however they feel like. You wouldn't go into a shop with no prices on anything and then let the checkout person decide on the price after you opened your wallet would you? If there has been no bi-lateral agreement, written or verbal between you and the builder to say that you would be charged for the tender if the builder was not given the job, then you shouldn't have to pay.
This is not usual practice as the tender process requires trust and professinoal conduct from both the Architect and the Contractor. If Contractors tried to charge for every tender they put in for, no one would give them the job or indeed teh chance to tender on future projects, therefore most contractors accept that the tender process is a calculated risk on their part. However on larger jobs ( and I mean millions) it is sometimes usual for the the client to pay the costs of all tendering contractors.
Speak to your Architect first then perhaps the citizens advice just to put your mind at rest. Do not pay the invoice until you have done both of these things.
2007-02-12 23:46:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't ignore such invoices. And uncscrupulous greedy behaviour.
Send a letter to the builder, by recorded delivery, explaining your outline of events:
1. request for quote - with no guarantee that work would follow
2. builder agreed to quote, and made inspections. At no point was a cost of preparing the quotation-only (without the contract) ever proposed by builder.
If this comes to them trying to take you to court, the fact that you have your recorded documentation strengthens your case. If you simply ignore his demands, this could be seen as your acceptance of them. If you phone them, keep notes of times and dates when you spoke in the future too. Aim to back up all conversations with a further written letter summarising your position.
Check carefully that their advert doesn't include anything that might be interpreted as meaning that quotes are potentially chargeable.
I would also draft a quick letter of summary of the situation and copy all correspondence to your local Trading Standards office. The builder is breaking the law if they change their terms of preparing the quote and want to add a charge. Trading Standards would frighten many rogue traders off and will help future customers if the builder tries it on again.
Also, check if they are a member of any professional building associations. You could report them to them.
Good luck! Rob
2007-02-10 02:56:37 · answer #3 · answered by Rob E 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him to shove his invoice! Good job he isn't getting the work - can you imagine what sort of bill you'd be getting! I've never heard of anyone charging for an estimate or quotation - they're usually just glad to be given the opportunity and perhaps get some more work in.
2007-02-10 03:32:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO - you don't pay for it.
The builder would make his money from doing the job.
**The only worrying thing you said was that he made two visits - was the second at your request ?
If so, then you are liable for that visit as you asked him to attend, it's rather like a 'call out' charge.
2007-02-10 02:51:00 · answer #5 · answered by Froggy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good argument, on the basis you asked him to do the tendor then I suspect he is right to charge you unless his advertising specifies he does no charge quotations.
2007-02-10 02:51:48 · answer #6 · answered by Martin14th 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is'nt usual for anyone to charge for an estimate. I think he should have informed you at the beginning. If things look as if they are not going to be resolved, go to the citizens advice bureau
2007-02-10 02:49:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe me my husband was a builder. If you didn't sign anything you don't have to pay anything. But be sure that you didn't or it could cost you an arm and leg. He could take you to small claims court and if he wins you have to pay his court costs +. Good luck.
2007-02-10 02:58:29 · answer #8 · answered by Whatever! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't ask for a free estimate then by law he can charge you, but my advice is to seek legal advice.
2007-02-10 02:51:39 · answer #9 · answered by psychoticgenius 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't pay it ..i have Berna builder for over 40 years and have never charged for an estimate . try your citizens advice bureau
2007-02-12 22:23:33 · answer #10 · answered by boy boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's just wrong.that's like ebay charging you to make a bid.tell him to stuff it and get another builder in
2007-02-10 02:45:15 · answer #11 · answered by PIRANHA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋