I need to have some groundworks done. Firstly I can't believe how many just don't turn up, don't return calls etc.
Finally I got someone to call round this morning and have been verbally quoted £3200 cash or £4000 inc VAT. Regardless which way I go I will get a written quote and final invoice.
Personally I don't care what the builder does with their accounts, but are there any pitfalls in paying cash? What would you do?
Thanks
personally, I'd go with the vat inclusive, ok it's more, but no comeback if he doesn't pay the vat.
just a thought
£3200 +VAT@20% is £3840. I imagine that a builder would be wary about issuing a written quotation that could be read as showing a willingness to defraud HMRC.
If there is any dispute about the work afterwards you will be much better off if everything is above board. I recall you have met some less than impressive tradesmen in the past.
There is absolutely no problem with paying by cash - it's legal tender after all. Likewise how he does his accounts is up to him. It is not your responsibility to check whether he pays his VAT. Go with whatever feels good.
Cheers,
Chris
To a certain extent, I agree with Chris, but you might find the tradesman is reluctant to issue you with any paperwork if you pay him in cash. :hmmm:
I'd never pay cash without an invoice. All of the builders we used when moving here gave me invoices and were happy to get paid online. Only one asked if I'd pay cash when we had our patio done, and his was the least well-thought through of the quotes we got. Having been in and around the industry all my life I'd much rather pay a little more for a good builder than get caught out. This has proved fine for me across whatever we've done.
Just remember, you pay peanuts, you get monkeys...... I'd hope any builder that valued their own skills would be reputable enough to go through the proper processes.
Dave
It sounds to me as if he turned up on horseback. :hmmm:
Is he on checkatrade or does he have any online reviews?
If you pay cash and he does then put it through his books and pays the vat, he's doing the job for about £2600. :thumbsdown:
Tread very carefully Mick.
Mrs B just made a A$1000 cash payment to a guy for a new kitchen skylight and is not happy with his response time.
He's a pommy too, as she constantly reminds me ;)
What exactly are you having done Mick?
How many people are going to be doing the job?
Will it require a mini-digger or other large machinery?
Have you had other quotes?
ALWAYS get a detailed written quote.
ALWAYS tell them you want an invoice.
ALWAYS pay be cheque/bank transfer.
You really don't want to be handing over that kind of cash.
We recently had someone in our village ripped off horribly, it was very upsetting all round.
Thanks to all who have responded. The company is certainly no cowboy. If anyone wants to check them out they are.
We Clear Blockages
based in Preston.
As I don't do Farcebook a friend has checked out those reviews for me
I've had their quote for £3200 + VAT = £3840 and just have a couple of questions to be answered.
I told them from the start I wanted a written quote and written final invoice.
In answer to
@emjaybee the full details of their operation is unknown but he said it would be a couple or more blokes for 4 days. No major plant involved as it's in my rear garden. All remedial work done "to perfection".
More news as it comes off the teleprinter................
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 05, 2024, 09:57:13 AMMore news as it comes off the teleprinter................
.........and I've accepted the price inc VAT. Payment is on satisfactory completion of the job which it wouldn't have been if I'd gone the cash route. I'm not that daft, contrary to popular belief.
Thanks again for responses made
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 05, 2024, 09:57:13 AMThanks to all who have responded. The company is certainly no cowboy. If anyone wants to check them out they are.
We Clear Blockages
based in Preston.
As I don't do Farcebook a friend has checked out those reviews for me
I've had their quote for £3200 + VAT = £3840 and just have a couple of questions to be answered.
I told them from the start I wanted a written quote and written final invoice.
In answer to @emjaybee the full details of their operation is unknown but he said it would be a couple or more blokes for 4 days. No major plant involved as it's in my rear garden. All remedial work done "to perfection".
More news as it comes off the teleprinter................
Doesn't sound too bad Mick. Hope it sorts out whatever issue you have.
Sounds like he has a blockage in his rear. It's a common issue at his age I'm told.
I'm regular every morning at 7.30
Trouble is, I don't get up until 8
that is what is known as an early morning alarm call
OH :poop: :smiley-laughing:
Depending on the amount pay it on credit card, or a mix of credit card and bank transfer once the job has been completed to your satisfaction. Even if you paid £200 on credit card that means you are covered should something go wrong or gets deputed, as it makes the credit card jointly responsible under consumer law.
Regarding the choice of builder, ask for names and addresses of previous clients and then go and talk to them. If he has a good rep then they will sing his praises. Or if anyone else in your street has had building work done, knock on their door and ask them if they were happy with their builders and if so do they have the builders details.
If any builder asks for cash up front that's a red flag to me. Any true builder will have 30 day trade accounts with the companies they use to purchase materials. If they haven't then that could mean they have been bad payers and the suppliers have stopped offering them credit.
When I've need work doing I've asked for quotes rather than estimates. If the work is quite involved and could throw up obstacles, and they are insistent on providing estimates rather than quotes, I ask for a max contingency, and then confirm in writing the acceptance of the quote and that you won't be paying no more than the estimate if the work is straight forward or with the contingency cost should it arise.
Good luck
Quote from: Malc-c on April 06, 2024, 10:44:53 AMDepending on the amount pay it on credit card, or a mix of credit card and bank transfer once the job has been completed to your satisfaction. Even if you paid £200 on credit card that means you are covered should something go wrong or gets deputed, as it makes the credit card jointly responsible under consumer law.
TOTALLY AGREE
Regarding the choice of builder, ask for names and addresses of previous clients and then go and talk to them. If he has a good rep then they will sing his praises. Or if anyone else in your street has had building work done, knock on their door and ask them if they were happy with their builders and if so do they have the builders details.
NOT AS STRAIGHT FORWARD AS YOU THINK. THIS CREATES ISSUES WITH DATA PROTECTION. BEFORE YOU CAN GO AND SPEAK TO A 'CUSTOMER' THE BUILDER WOULD NEED TO APPROACH THE CLIENT TO ASK FOR WRITTEN PERMISSION. BUT IF THAT CLIENT HAS NOT GIVEN WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR THE BUILDER TO RETAIN THEIR DETAILS THE BUILDER WILL BE UNABLE TO LEGALLY CONTACT THE CLIENT FOR THIS PURPOSE.
PLUS, THIS IS WIDE OPEN TO MIS-REPRESENTATION AS IT'S TOO EASY TO GET THEIR BROTHER/DAD/BEST MATE ETC. TO 'VOUCH' FOR THEM.
If any builder asks for cash up front that's a red flag to me. Any true builder will have 30 day trade accounts with the companies they use to purchase materials. If they haven't then that could mean they have been bad payers and the suppliers have stopped offering them credit.
ON THE CASH FRONT, I AGREE.
ON THE CREDIT ACCOUNT COMMENT, NOT NECESSARILY. CREDIT ACCOUNTS CAN BE A PAIN IN THE PROVERBIALES. NOT HAVING A CREDIT ACCOUNT DOESN'T MAKE A BAD BUILDER.
When I've need work doing I've asked for quotes rather than estimates. If the work is quite involved and could throw up obstacles, and they are insistent on providing estimates rather than quotes, I ask for a max contingency, and then confirm in writing the acceptance of the quote and that you won't be paying no more than the estimate if the work is straight forward or with the contingency cost should it arise.
YES & NO.
YOU'LL BE LUCKY TO GET A BUILDER TO GIVE YOU A "MAXIMUM" CONTIGENCY FOR UNEXPECTED WORK. UNEXPECTED CAN BE HORRIFIC, ALTHOUGH IT IS UNCOMMON.
Good luck
Just my thoughts from the 'other side of the fence'.
Much is based on the assumption we have a huge choice of artisans up here. I've approached a good half a dozen so called experts and have had just the one return a call or bother to turn up (even then I had to remind him). There is so much house building going on in th'area it seems workmen have contracts so can afford to be ignorant. Mind you, the chap I've found says he can't start for 3-4 weeks as he is busy correcting mistakes (not his) made on new builds.
The tip about using credit card is good. Thank you.
Generally speaking, if they can't start for a few weeks/months for a 4 day job then that's fine. That's usually because they are busy which is often down to having a good name and hopefully not due to them fixing their previous 'male chicken' (changed by forum)-ups elsewhere. If they can start on Monday I wouldn't use them. A 1 day job could be viewed differently of course.
I would personally use someone who has been recommended to me rather than find them in the Yellow Pages or Checkatrade etc. A decent builder doesn't usually need to advertise.