[Jellyblush]

Hi everyone. I'm in a sensitive situation where I really don't know what to do. All advice appreciated. Want to do the right thing but something smells fishy and don't want to be taken advantage of.

In December 2010 I decided I needed two doors replaced in my home, due to dog scratching them.

Got a quote from Doors Plus which came in at just under $2k, which I thought was a bit steep.

Friend mentions they have a friend (acquantaince of mine) who is a carpenter and builds new houses, who can do it for much less, if I just buy the doors.

It is agreed I purchase two doors, and they fit them, charging me a half days work to do so.

This occurs in March 2011.

I ask them and ask them and ask them to invoice me; I know the price of the doors ($700) and have budgeted and put aside $1200 for the job thinking that should be plenty.

They don't invoice me. I keep chasing. I WANTED to pay, as I had the $$ at that time. Eventually, in December 2011, the guy says "don't worry about it". Well, I still want to worry about it! I want to pay!

Today - almost 2 years after the job was done, I get an invoice for $2500. It just says 'Home renovations as per quote"
Well there was no quote, ever, and it is so much higher than we discussed
I also think it should be itemised - doors and labour, but it isn't.
It says immediate terms too, but I will have to pay in installments now because they money I set aside is long gone.


What do you think I should do? What I'd like to do is:
a) request an itemised invoice for doors and half days labour
b) discuss the expectation that it was going to be about half the invoiced amount
c) say I need a payment plan due to it taking so long to invoice me

Is the above reasonable? I'm nervous as I think it will cause ructions with the mutual friends. So wish Id just gone with a professional at the time

[Sinister Bonnet]

What they have done is so unreasonable that surely your friend will see it is wrong.

The lack of a supplied written quote is a huge red flag and the billing almost 2 years later is also bizarre.

[causeway]

Surely they are taking the p*ss!

I'd be calling them and querying it! There is no way I'd be paying as per invoice. It took them 2 years to invoice, you could take 2 years to pay!

[K+M+A+P]

The fact that you didn't get a quote is worrying, if he took it further you might not have a leg to stand on as there is a big legal difference between an estimate of costs and an actual quote.
But I'm not sure where he would stand seeing as it has taken him over 2 years to invoice you.

What state are you in OP? Can you contact Fair Trading or your states equivalent.

[Poss and Soss]

I would ask for a 'copy' of the quote they say they provided, and also an itemised receipt.

Given it reads that you paid for the doors it looks like they've charged you $2.5k for 4 hours work? $625 an hour? Not bad if they can get it

I certainly would not be paying it! I would pay something but not that much!

[TopsyTurvy]

I would go back and tell them they have sent you the wrong bill.

Put it in writing.

Dear XYZ tradie,

I recieved your invoice number ABC, which you have sent to me in error.

Please send the correct invoice for EFG amount as originally verbally quoted which was for a door instillation only.

Thankyou and kind regards,

Jelly

[lizzzard]

I would go back and tell them they have sent you the wrong bill.

Put it in writing.

Dear XYZ tradie,

I recieved your invoice number ABC, which you have sent to me in error.

Please send the correct invoice for EFG amount as originally verbally quoted which was for a door instillation only.

Thankyou and kind regards,

Jelly

This. I would assume benign intent in the first instance - it may have been a genune error... See how they respond to the above

[FluffyOscar]

Hmm, what doors?

Seriously, if there is no quote and no contract and no invoice for the doors purchased, the "friend" has a hope in hell they'll get paid.

Do not pay OP.

[K+M+A+P]

Hmm, what doors?

Seriously, if there is no quote and no contract and no invoice for the doors purchased, the "friend" has a hope in hell they'll get paid.

Do not pay OP.

But contracts can be oral. If he has anyway at all to prove that he did the work then the OP will need to pay. The OP didn't obtain a written quote so technically all she got was an estimate which is not legally binding so yeah he can then charge her more.

[LifesGood]

I would go back and tell them they have sent you the wrong bill.

Put it in writing.

Dear XYZ tradie,

I recieved your invoice number ABC, which you have sent to me in error.

Please send the correct invoice for EFG amount as originally verbally quoted which was for a door instillation only.

Thankyou and kind regards,

Jelly

This is a good idea because it gives the tradie an 'out' without losing face and it gives you the opportunity to state the 'implied price' that formed what was obviously an oral quote. Also include a note about it being two years ago.

Stand your ground OP, there is no written quote, pay what you were expecting to pay, no more.