Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice as to my legal standpoint on the following issue:
I recently had a conservatory built and an internal wall taken down by a local company. They got their associated architect out to do a survey and the designs. When they were just about to knock the wall down their builders realised it was a supporting wall. We were informed that it was 'unforseen circumstances' and there was no way that the architect or anyone could have forseen that this wall - which used to seperate the coal cellar from the kitchen - could be a supporting wall and we had to pay a fortune for a structural engineers report and then pay them for the extra work. We paid the engineer to get things moving but the invoice for installing the RSJ etc has just come in and we were wondering if we have any comeback on this. At the time we had to write a letter saying we would agree to the work being done and that the final price would be based on labour and materials though he refused to give even a vague estimate.
To make things worse, when they took to wall down they 'realised' that the floors were two different levels and said work could not proceed without levelling this and that it would cost more. The guy chatted to the builder and said that he thought it might take about two days, maybe more, maybe less, but that he would charge £400 - exorbitant I know but I was desperate to get things going - and I had to put in writing that I agreed to this. However, the work took less than one day and I have now received an invoice for £400 plus VAT making it £470. I am positive that there was no mention of the 'plus VAT' in our conversation or the letter I wrote - unfortunately I don't have a copy - but is there any way I can challenge this?
I don't mind paying a fair price but this man is rude and confrontational and just seems out to make a buck.
Any advice greatfully recieved.
Thanks
I recently had a conservatory built and an internal wall taken down by a local company. They got their associated architect out to do a survey and the designs. When they were just about to knock the wall down their builders realised it was a supporting wall. We were informed that it was 'unforseen circumstances' and there was no way that the architect or anyone could have forseen that this wall - which used to seperate the coal cellar from the kitchen - could be a supporting wall and we had to pay a fortune for a structural engineers report and then pay them for the extra work. We paid the engineer to get things moving but the invoice for installing the RSJ etc has just come in and we were wondering if we have any comeback on this. At the time we had to write a letter saying we would agree to the work being done and that the final price would be based on labour and materials though he refused to give even a vague estimate.
To make things worse, when they took to wall down they 'realised' that the floors were two different levels and said work could not proceed without levelling this and that it would cost more. The guy chatted to the builder and said that he thought it might take about two days, maybe more, maybe less, but that he would charge £400 - exorbitant I know but I was desperate to get things going - and I had to put in writing that I agreed to this. However, the work took less than one day and I have now received an invoice for £400 plus VAT making it £470. I am positive that there was no mention of the 'plus VAT' in our conversation or the letter I wrote - unfortunately I don't have a copy - but is there any way I can challenge this?
I don't mind paying a fair price but this man is rude and confrontational and just seems out to make a buck.
Any advice greatfully recieved.
Thanks
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