Dispute with tradie?

Long story short, my wife colleague's dad is a plumber so we got him to quote to remove/replace a shower screen. We didn't get a firm quote other than being told verbally it's going to be half a day. So the bloke turned up with an assistance, spent the whole day working on it and now being billed $960 ex for the whole job ($60/hr x 2 x 8 hours). Not to mention it was done fairly badly now the frame isn't aligned to how it supposed to be, cracked couple of my tiles (and begrudgingly repaired them in a shoddy manner) and all the sealants already started lifting off the surface. Anyway...

1. Does verbal quotation hold any weight?
2. He didn't mention he will be dragging someone else in to do the so how is it my problem he needed to get an assistant in to help?
3. Is $960 ex the going rate for remove and replace a shower screen/base?

I suspect a letter on demand is on its way, thinking of settlement with him 4 hours x 2 x $60/hr given that's what he said verbally. Might goto NCAT as well if no joy in settle...

Any advice? Yes lessons learned - will get a written quote (we do that normally, she just thought a colleague's father should be less shoddy than a random off the street bloke) and won't employ anyone who's remotely associated.

 

Wtf were you thinking using a plumber rather than a waterproofer & tiler?

 

Generally a verbal agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.

 

Seriously tho I would offer as you have suggested 1/2 a day by 2. He doesn't have more claim than you do. Say look "you said 1/2 a day and that's what I agreed to" not your problem that it took longer. In a former incarnation I would quote jobs if I misquoted then it was my problem not the clients. Sometimes jobs took longer than what you you thought just have to wear it. Don;t be scared of him be strong and firm. He will accept it in the end tell him that you are prepared to go to arbitration etc.

 

Honestly didn't know the difference. I thought a plumber would be the right candidate for the job...

Yep, half price Marbletrend clearance jobbie from Bunnings. I thought I was smrt lol.

Yep that's what I'll be doing now.

 

She knew about it all along but too bad, the missus already told her stay the fk away from this and don't get involved.

 

Depends on the type of shower screen - I am currently having a shower screen removed and new one installed in one of my IP's. The company I am using are providing the shower screen and installing it for $860 inc GST. I rang another company to get another quote, and they quoted practically the same, so I just decided to go with the PM's one.

You should always get a written quote, covers you in these sort of situations.

Why are you considering paying him if the work wasn't completed to the standard he outlined? If it's not aligned how it's supposed to be, does it still work the way it should? If all sealants are already lifting off, what's going to happen in a months time? Will you need to have it completed again?

 

Wait this is just for labour and it was a rubbish job? Tell him to EAD

 

Sick of tradies trying to push their weight around and thinking they can intimidate people. I noticed over the years not to use friends or anyone close due to the fact it makes things awkward when things become pear shape.

 

Pay nothing til it's actually done properly, including repair of surrounding areas they damaged.

Then once happy, pay the amount (initially) quoted.

 

Sorry @mini2 forgot about the job not being done properly I agree whole heartedly with @D.T. Don't pay anything till it's done properly and then pay the agreed amount. If the sealant is lifting already sounds like the whole thing needs to be ripped out and redone correctly

 

Don't get me started, the ***** lost our address and had to get his daughter to get our address once more and my spouse have decided to just give it to her....FML.

As Ive explained it, thought it's someone who's kinda known, shouldn't be too shoddy and half a day doesn't seem too excessive hence decided to go ahead anyway. I just want to get this over and done with.

I thought it's around the $400 mark but didn't know the **** tries to be smart. Another lesson learned: I'll hide some of my cars next time so the tradie wouldn't think I'm flush with cash.

Pretty much and this. Yikes.

Going to arbitration. Some bits has been repaired but the repairs effected is still ****. I could've done a better job myself...perhaps I should given this is the PPOR.

 

So a half day job for 1 bloke has turned in to a full days job for 2 blokes. I wouldn't pay it. It would be a half day to do the job with 1 bloke at a maximum. Go to fair trading.

 

Whilst you prob don't have before pics make sure you take after ones including close ups of silicon lifting etc.
Make a note (record) of all past and future communication with times etc, save any text messages etc.
Make him aware that all further communication from himself or representatives are to be in writing only (no phone calls), if he calls hang up and note it.

What was his response about the silicon lifting?
Did he advise you about the broken tiles or hope you wouldn't notice?
Was this an invoiced job or cashie?

 

I see your point. Well, I hope you can get it figured out!

 

Gonna get them involved that's for sure. Spent the last 30 minutes taking/editing photos then print them all out.

There's couple sets of photos taken already - before the R&R, after R&R with the damages intact, with the damages repaired and now the sealant lifting.

They haven't responded the latest set of issues with the installation so it will be interesting to see how it pans out. The last call that my spouse with had him was this is the price and if you don't pay it, I will initiate legal action. Funny thing is, there's no payment terms on his invoice...idiot.

It's an invoiced job with his personal bank account provided.

Might even start a book face page for him and possibly register a domain name too...SEO isn't my forte but my mates could chime in

 

Gonna pay that idiot first then sort him out via other means.

 

Personally, I would hold off paying, or offer to pay half (or whatever you think is reasonable) ... on the basis he overcharged / misrepresented true cost when he was in best position to provide estimate and poor workmanship.

Always harder to claw back money than to withhold some.

Good luck.