Regular readers of this page will know that we have recently had some work done to an old wooden Séchoir that we bought a couple of years back; my builder has laid a perfectly smooth concrete floor over the 7 by 21 metre surface (above).
We were extremely happy with the work; but not so with the finalised bill. It was €1,700 MORE than the original quote (which we had signed and approved)! So where had all the extra costs come from?
A quick phone call to the boss provided the answer; he had 'mistakenly' charged us for work that his son had done over 6 months earlier, and for which we had ALREADY PAID, back in August 2012!
Naughty, naughty, builder;..... it pays to be vigilant. We can't afford to pay TWICE for the same job!
p.s. I have just now received the revised bill; complete with sincere apology. I'll pay it today.
19 comments:
Good for you. Too many people would have simply paid the bill without asking any questions.
Phew - that could have been an expensive mistake.
Good result! Are you sure you didn't ask Big Don to have a word?
No, I've sent him to have a word with YOU!
Good thing you were on your toes.
good job you were on the ball, young Cro.
Yikes, good catch!
They did a wonderful job.
Right! It was nearly a whole week's wine tab.
They did indeed... smooth as a baby's bottom!
Was it just an innocent mistake or was he just trying it on?
I actually like the devis system in France as it usually produces no nasty surprises.
I think it was a genuine mistake... at least I like to think it was!
Some folks would just bitch about it to others instead of asking for an explanation. It is always good to ask, just like you did. I too think it was just an honest mistake.
I'm glad they were willing to rectify the bill so quickly. You will most likely never be sure if it was done intentionally or accidentally, but like you, i'd rather think accidentally than make myself crazy thinking their intentions were otherwise.
Wonderful job and finally complete. I love to see folks preserve instead of pull down these barns as so many are replacing them with metal pole barns.
A genuine mistake perhaps....and all sorted now...what are you going to use the barn for?
Like Libby says - it could have been a genuine mistake, which he's admitted and you've had a great job done so not all bad.
I used to manage construction projects...and I know that billing skills are the least of what tradesmen depend upon. It comes down to the customer to remain vigilant. Good for you.
About two thirds will become a summer apartment/fun palace. And the other third will remain barn/garage/storage.
Billing issues aside, FABULOUS FLOOR! And what a wonderful space. What are your plans for it?
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