Customer won't pay

[Gerard17]

I went to do a little job for sum1 I didn't no the person he got my number from sum1. The job got bigger an bigger an b4 I knew it I fitted a toilet basin electric shower repiped towel rail in chrome moved a radiator in another room and changed his stopcock. This was over about a 3 month period as he was tiling the bathroom after he finished work. I spent about £50 on materials an billed him £525. I went there about 6 times in total. An he has just rang me to say he thought the bill was to high. I no I should of quoted him but it was 1 of them a little job turned into a whole bathroom. He's now asking me to break the quote down.
any thoughts?

 

[hunterseye]

Surely if he was that concerned he would have asked a price on a job to job basis. It staggers me that someone would not even ask a price prior to any proffesional carrying out a service for them. But IMO, that price doesn't seem unreasonable depending on the time you spent there.
You wouldn't take your car to have work done and just hand them the keys.

 

[Barry98]

He's trying it on you've done the work send the boys round

 

[petercj]

The onus is on your customer to request estimates / quotes, as he didn't, then as long as your bill is reasonable, (it doesn't sound unreasonable), he doesn't have a reason to refuse payment.

Up to you whether you agree to providing an itemised bill - sounds like you could easily justify your charges if you choose to meet his request.

If he carries on in the same vein, then send a Recorded Delivery letter requesting full payment within 21 days, making it clear that this is your last request for payment, and that failure to make payment by that date will lead to proceedings in the County Court to recover your money. You can do a small claim on line, won't cost much, and you can do it all yourself.

Chances are he will cough up before the 21 days is up.

 

[SimonG]

Tell him you'll break the bill down and it'll cost an extra hours labour to do so.

 

[KingDoey]

Wait until hes out, Access mains shut off in street, turn off, fill with cement.

Doubt he will try it on again...

 

[JCplumb]

Oh yeah, a bit of criminal damage will do you good when you're £500 short... [/sarcasm]
He's asking for a broken down bill, I usually give those as standard, takes a couple of minutes, just hand him one and take it from there. £525 for the work you've done + materials sounds fair enough to me.

 

[Plum Bob 66]

I went to do a little job for sum1 I didn't no the person he got my number from sum1. The job got bigger an bigger an b4 I knew it I fitted a toilet basin electric shower repiped towel rail in chrome moved a radiator in another room and changed his stopcock. This was over about a 3 month period as he was tiling the bathroom after he finished work. I spent about £50 on materials an billed him £525. I went there about 6 times in total. An he has just rang me to say he thought the bill was to high. I no I should of quoted him but it was 1 of them a little job turned into a whole bathroom. He's now asking me to break the quote down.
any thoughts?

Yes, break the bill down and send it to him as requested. If your bills fair and accurate he shouldn't have a problem. Though as said in previous posts it is the customers responsibility to ask how much the work is going to cost and yours to make sure he is informed of the ongoing cost of works undertaken. Never assume anything and make sure your back is covered. The key is to have an open, honest and transparent relationship with the customer keeping them appraised of the situation at all times. If the job escalates then fine but make them aware of the potential cost implications.
Bob

 

[Guest123]

Lesson learned. Always give a written quote and get a customer to sign it before any work is started.

Hope you get your money pal.

 

[BLOD]

I don't think it's unreasonable for the customer to know what he's paying for,
Just break it down for him & if it's all justified then it shouldn't be a problem.
Hope it works out

 

[AWheating]

dont forget to add the dix head tax thats reserved for those customers that are special.

 

[Leo21]

Break it down into parts and labour, as long as your labours sensible you'll be fine.

 

[REDSAW]

how many hours booked to the job is where i would start!?

 

[Avatar]

Don't ever let a bill stack up like this, you should have got him to pay for each part as you did it.

My bill would be a lot higher for what you said considering you went back and forth.

My rule of thumb is - get in, get the job done and get the money asap! The longer you leave it the longer they have to have second thoughts . . . . .

 

[PETE 123]

Ask him what he thinks is ok if its near to what you want take it. At least your going to know if hes going to pay or not.and learn for next time best ok luck

 

[CMcM]

Hows this happening? all i hear on the radio is how easy a plumbers life is. be ur own boss, have ur own hours, love the job. haha the joys!!

Best of luck on getting the money, every days a school day. cant count how much ive lost over the years thru silly wee disputes.