Would you expect to be told a job had gone way over budget?

[SimonA]

I got a written estimate for some work on my boat and gave written authorisation for the work to be carried out. The estimate was for £3300.

I was verbally told they had a few problems with the work after they started. I asked how much extra it was likely to cost and was told they didn't know.

Invoice arrived, and was £917 over what I had expected, labour (inc VAT) makes up the bulk of the extra charge.

Should they have told me it was going to be far more than quoted? I was a little surprised when the invoice arrived and was far more than I budgeted.

I don't want to fall out with them over the extra cost, but do feel they should have told me when the labout started to add up over the original estimate.

 

[gjgm]

depends how much more work there was. After all, if the bill was going to be £4300 to get the job done, then its the right price.
The question comes down to, was there another £1000 work, or not ? If there was... well, I guess you did approve them to go ahead, and they then charged you fairly. Again, if there was £1000 of work, you wouldnt expect them NOT to charge you.
Yes, maybe they could have phoned and said, now we are in there, we might be looking at £1k, but then maybe they thought you wanted the work done anyway.
Damn annoying not to know beforehand, but then, you probably wouldnt have said, ok, leave it half finished.

 

[Double arvor]

if its marine yes, had the same happen to me a year ago,
quoted 2,000 invoiced 3,500 good if you can getaway with it
dont bother with quotes anymore

 

[SimonA]

The job was replacing a gearbox, shaft seal and prop.

The extra cost came about when they discovered the repalcement gearbox (which I supplied, but it was the model they told me I needed) would not fit the bell housing.

What I don't understand is you can get a replacement bell housing for this engine and gearbox for less than half the extra labour charge. For even less money you can get an adapter plate. Instead of just fitting a new part they adapted the exisiting bellhousing, I didn't expect this to cost £917!

I should also point out this is on a low value boat. The boat is worth £10k tops. Originally the job was to just replace some oil seals, new engine mounts and align the shaft. Which was going to be under £1k, they then found other problems and came up with the second estimate.

 

[D3B]

Simon...
I see you are on The Great Ouse...
which marina are you based in? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I used to cruise there before i moved to Lowestoft
Doug

 

[Who]

A quote is fixed. After all its a quotation.

An estimate.... whooaaa, can be anything!

 

[DIW]

The answer has to be yes . The work as described in your post was essential as a boat without a gearbox and prop ain't goin very far but IMO you should have been contacted (common courtesy surely) to obtain your agreement/approval for additional expenditure. Most garages will contact you before carrying out additional works to your vehicle why should marine engineers be any different ? Have you requested a full breakdown of Hours & Materials ?
Ian

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
The extra cost came about when they discovered the repalcement gearbox (which I supplied, but it was the model they told me I needed) would not fit the bell housing.

What I don't understand is you can get a replacement bell housing for this engine and gearbox for less than half the extra labour charge. For even less money you can get an adapter plate. Instead of just fitting a new part they adapted the exisiting bellhousing, I didn't expect this to cost £917!

[/ QUOTE ]

As soon as they realised you had supplied the wrong housing, albeit to their spec, they should have told you what the problem was and how they proposed to resolve it.

As far as I can tell you've been had over to provide extra work for them, or they are not particularly professional or good at what they do.

Either way, whilst it might be difficult to argue the toss over the bill, I wouldnt use them again unless I had no choice.

 

[jfm]

Sure they should have told you about the extra, but only as a matter of courtesy and professionalism

Focussing just on the contract, as you have written it in your post, I think you are contractually oblisged to pay becuase (a) the 3.3 was only an estimate not a fixed price and (b) they told you there was more to be done and you asked them how much and they said they didn't know and following that you STILL gave them authority to proceed and impliedly agreed to pay the extra on a "blank cheque" basis, within reason. Your only contractual ground not to pay would be if they have behaved/charged unreasonably but I doubt any judge would find an extra £917 to be unreasonable in these circumstnaces

If there is more detial and you have grounds to fight, remember they have a lien on your boat if it is still in their yard and in their possession but not otherwise

 

[Poignard]

The "small print" on my estimates contains the following:-

"Notes

1. Further inspection may reveal other faults, requiring work not allowed for in this estimate. Any extra work which would increase the price by more than 10% above that estimated, will not be carried out without first consulting you."

I have never had anyone complain about that, and no-one has ever refused to pay the extra, once I have explained why the job is going to cost more than the 10 % contingency. I always try and write to the customer and explain the reason for the increase, rather than springing it on them suddenly.

I invariably find that customers don't mind having to pay more, provided they don't feel they are being ripped off. Too many suppliers of goods and services in this country are completely clueless when it comes to dealing with customers. Instead of reassuring them and getting their trust, all they do is antagonise them through a lack of basic courtesy.