minion 29 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 Evening All, Just wondering if anyone has had expriance of a customer trying to get out of paying? I have a small heating company and we occassionally fit the odd kitchen. We fitted a boiler for a family in Dundee and all went well and they paid promptly. We then were asked to offer a price to install their new kitchen. I got Howdens joinery to design a kitchen and gave them a price. I showed them the Jowdens quote and allowed £875 to fit the kitchen. (really easey job for our joiner) However they decided to go for a b&q kitchen and then asked us to install it. We didn't give them a quote to install the kitchen but said we could certianly install it. They then asked for 12 downlights to be fitted in a new false celing. I aranged for an electrician to wire them up and this was done. The kitchen was then delivered and we fitted it. (Perfectly) Just as we were finnishing, the son (mother doesnt speak English) says that his mum wants the kitchen raised 50mm (even though we asked at the start if the wanted the worktops at a certian level!!) so we had to strip it out and move everything. They had to order new parts so we returned in a few weeks time and finnished it off. They asked for a door to be hung and also skirting to be done so we did it. I then invocied them today £1075 to fit kitchen (allowing for extra time to build flat pack units) £350 for electical work and joner to core holes plus all cables etc. £310 to rais the kitchen 50 mm!! £75 to hang a door £50 for Skirting and labour Total = 1850 plus vat I then get a call from the son saying they will not pay that. They only expected the bill to be about £1000. I explained everything (I am a fair person) but he is adament and said he has spoken to his lawyer friend and says there is nothing we can do. He offered £1000 cash. Where do I stand? I would take him to court but to be honest dont know where to start, or if I would even have a case? Would you take the grand and cut your losses of take them all the way? He told me that a plumber tried to take them to court before and lost so it got me thinking. I actually think this has been planned and think he his playing mind games but cant be 100% sure. What should I do? My first thought is to drive up and break his hands but I dont think its worth it. Any advice / Similar problems? Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Doglost Co-Ordinator 4 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 Tell them your quote was to fit them the kitchen - everything else was an extra. If they dont want to pay thats fine- you'll just remove the 'extras ' & put worktop back to the height it was before they asked you to change it. Tell them your lawyer friend says they havent got a leg to stand on because you only gave written quote for a kitchen & a different one at that. You will receipts for the items bought & proof that extra work carried out. I wouldnt back down that quick whether they speak English or not. My fellas & builder & kitchen fitter & he's had this happen to him. Actualy know some one who took a conservatory down cos customer said they were paying for it!! Get some advice- free from CAB (Citizens Advice) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
minion 29 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 Tell them your quote was to fit them the kitchen - everything else was an extra. If they dont want to pay thats fine- you'll just remove the 'extras ' & put worktop back to the height it was before they asked you to change it. Tell them your lawyer friend says they havent got a leg to stand on because you only gave written quote for a kitchen & a different one at that. You will receipts for the items bought & proof that extra work carried out. I wouldnt back down that quick whether they speak English or not. My fellas & builder & kitchen fitter & he's had this happen to him. Actualy know some one who took a conservatory down cos customer said they were paying for it!! Get some advice- free from CAB (Citizens Advice) Cheers, I dont know where I stand though, I cant just force my way in and strip out the kitchen as its inside their house. I think our prices are fair too and it looks outstanding. I will perhaps need to talk to a lawyer. Did your husband get paid? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest the techno viking Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 thats good advice!!!!! i once did a fencing job for some asians who tryed to blag the price after job was done so i started ripping it all out and the fecker soon payed up then!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Doglost Co-Ordinator 4 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 Tell them your quote was to fit them the kitchen - everything else was an extra. If they dont want to pay thats fine- you'll just remove the 'extras ' & put worktop back to the height it was before they asked you to change it. Tell them your lawyer friend says they havent got a leg to stand on because you only gave written quote for a kitchen & a different one at that. You will receipts for the items bought & proof that extra work carried out. I wouldnt back down that quick whether they speak English or not. My fellas & builder & kitchen fitter & he's had this happen to him. Actualy know some one who took a conservatory down cos customer said they were paying for it!! Get some advice- free from CAB (Citizens Advice) Cheers, I dont know where I stand though, I cant just force my way in and strip out the kitchen as its inside their house. I think our prices are fair too and it looks outstanding. I will perhaps need to talk to a lawyer. Did your husband get paid? He got knocked down a bit but got a damn sight more than what they intended to pay. If the quote in black & white is for a Jowdens kitchen - do you have any other items in black & white?? What they've had done is not as 'quoted' as such they cannot prove they didnt expect a higher bill. Im no legal expert but they cannot prove anything. To say they didnt 'expect' to pay that much is neither here nor there. Get some legal advice- if you have home insurance most of them offer free advice for any matter or cab office is free. We didnt get to that stage & not cos my o/h is big & tough. I'm gobby & know more long words than him so I sort out all the crap Quote Link to post Share on other sites
woodchip 2 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 im a chippy and i had something simular once my advice take the £1000 the legal costs and the hassel i couldnt be botherd . next time get the money in stages so for getting base units in and secured and levelled you get 25% wall units another 30% work top 30% then the final 15% on completion then you know whats going on and if you finish and they stich you , youve only lost 15%... but i must say £75 to hang a door i take its that supply and fit ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
minion 29 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 im a chippy and i had something simular once my advice take the £1000 the legal costs and the hassel i couldnt be botherd .next time get the money in stages so for getting base units in and secured and levelled you get 25% wall units another 30% work top 30% then the final 15% on completion then you know whats going on and if you finish and they stich you , youve only lost 15%... but i must say £75 to hang a door i take its that supply and fit ? yea the door cost £55. We try to be fair with our prices. A top spec Worcester boiler 30cdi would be fully installed for £1400. The gas board would be over £3500 (at least) I try to offer a professional service at a fair price and like I say kitchens are just a wee side line. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waz 4,252 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 Im a chippy and on quotes, I state that until 100% payment is received all materials remain my property & I get a signed dated agreement of them. I always do my very very best to get payment in stages, with the smallest chunk at the end. Minion, id push for a few 100 more cash. Put the difference down to the times and experience. Hope it gets resolved as best as possible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnieboy 93 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 cant you knock on the door with sum excuse then when in take the lot out sounds to me like it was planned to start with these people have no intentions to pay you mate they never do . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
minion 29 Posted August 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 cheers for the replies. its not the money side too be honest. Its the fact that I am being shafted and I think it has been planned. Still we live and learn. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest the techno viking Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 Im a chippy and on quotes, I state that until 100% payment is received all materials remain my property & I get a signed dated agreement of them. I always do my very very best to get payment in stages, with the smallest chunk at the end. Minion, id push for a few 100 more cash. Put the difference down to the times and experience. Hope it gets resolved as best as possible. good advice there for the future and like the pic of me in your avatar gd waz lol!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
othickman 6 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 I don't know much about the legal side of things, but if you set fair prices, then get done out of £850... f**k, £850 is a heck of a lot especially if it's not all for time (labour) but also for the supplies. I would push for it all, try to get a lawyer to give them some good ol' shock treatment, or whatever, but you kind of have to try something. Anyway, good luck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tullfan 0 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 take the £1000 CASH dont give them a receipt then tell them if they dont cough up the rest then you will take them to court and deny they gave you anything explaining it works both ways Quote Link to post Share on other sites
davidlloyd 16 Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 Evening All, Just wondering if anyone has had expriance of a customer trying to get out of paying? I have a small heating company and we occassionally fit the odd kitchen. We fitted a boiler for a family in Dundee and all went well and they paid promptly. We then were asked to offer a price to install their new kitchen. I got Howdens joinery to design a kitchen and gave them a price. I showed them the Jowdens quote and allowed £875 to fit the kitchen. (really easey job for our joiner) However they decided to go for a b&q kitchen and then asked us to install it. We didn't give them a quote to install the kitchen but said we could certianly install it. They then asked for 12 downlights to be fitted in a new false celing. I aranged for an electrician to wire them up and this was done. The kitchen was then delivered and we fitted it. (Perfectly) Just as we were finnishing, the son (mother doesnt speak English) says that his mum wants the kitchen raised 50mm (even though we asked at the start if the wanted the worktops at a certian level!!) so we had to strip it out and move everything. They had to order new parts so we returned in a few weeks time and finnished it off. They asked for a door to be hung and also skirting to be done so we did it. I then invocied them today £1075 to fit kitchen (allowing for extra time to build flat pack units) £350 for electical work and joner to core holes plus all cables etc. £310 to rais the kitchen 50 mm!! £75 to hang a door £50 for Skirting and labour Total = 1850 plus vat I then get a call from the son saying they will not pay that. They only expected the bill to be about £1000. I explained everything (I am a fair person) but he is adament and said he has spoken to his lawyer friend and says there is nothing we can do. He offered £1000 cash. Where do I stand? I would take him to court but to be honest dont know where to start, or if I would even have a case? Would you take the grand and cut your losses of take them all the way? He told me that a plumber tried to take them to court before and lost so it got me thinking. I actually think this has been planned and think he his playing mind games but cant be 100% sure. What should I do? My first thought is to drive up and break his hands but I dont think its worth it. Any advice / Similar problems? Cheers take it on the chine and move on it will bite them on the arrs one day not worth the bother c**ts Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nobjerk 161 Posted August 29, 2009 Report Share Posted August 29, 2009 (edited) take a look at www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/ its a fast track small claims court run by the government £30 to start the ball rolling . but i agree with the have the grand then take to court for the whole amount denying any payment of the g. more than one way to skin a cat Edited August 29, 2009 by nobjerk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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