Have I been way over charged?

[Johnseat]

Just had a building job done, original bricky quoted £300 based on the job taking around 2 days, he calls the next day and backs out but says his mate who lives close by is also a bricky and would be happy to take the job on.
He comes round a few days later and looks the job over, says £300 is ok for the two days but it might take longer than two days to complete.
It's taken around 45 to 50 hours to complete the job and tonight upon handing over the money plus some extra due to the quality he comes back with its at least £700 pal, it should be around £1000 but I'm going to do it as cheap as I can.
On site they charge £400 per 1000 bricks, this job is 2300.

Where do I stand, has the original guy completely misquoted or has this bricky not been working quick enough and strung the job out.
At this time I haven't paid in full, just the £300 quoted.

 

[addjunkie]

50 hours at 20 quid an hour. Not sure on the numbers of brick layed, but to lay on site, youd have some one else mixing and hod carrying for you.

I know and have used 3 different brickies on my house they vary in price, but usually 20 quid an hour. As they were working in random stone the lay rate is impossible to compare.

 

[Johnseat]

No I haven't to be honest and yes it is a personal argument.
Paying the money isn't the issue as the amount of work done covers the cost of the bricky but what has got me bothered is the fact that he hasn't said it's obviously going to take a lot more and this is how much it's going to cost.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Did he appear to be stringing the job out? or did the original guy dump the job because he realised he was miles out with his quote.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Did he appear to be stringing the job out? or did the original guy dump the job because he realised he was miles out with his quote.

sounds more like it to me...he realised he had given a timeframe that couldnt be achieved, the extra time means extra money and he had already quoted £300, wasnt prepared to take a hit so farmed it out

 

[rtbcomp]

Ask him for an invoice and see if his price (and his jaw) drops.

 

[Pete.]

You say the first guy quoted £300 for laying 2300 bricks? That guy's a loony, or was very desperate then found some better-paying work. If the guy is billing you £700 for 2300 bricks and you say he's done a good job, I'd say just pay him and be satisfied, it's a good price IMO.

 

[Johnseat]

That's my thoughts exactly, massively under quoted the work and gave it to a mate as he didn't want to up the quote by at least double.
Like I said the final cost isn't the issue it's just the fact he hasn't said through the job just how much more it would be.
I'll just have to take it on the chin and learn from it.

 

[addjunkie]

You say the first guy quoted £300 for laying 2300 bricks? That guy's a loony, or was very desperate then found some better-paying work. If the guy is billing you £700 for 2300 bricks and you say he's done a good job, I'd say just pay him and be satisfied, it's a good price IMO.

And keep his number for next time, good tradespeople are hard to find

 

[mike os]

I would expect 20 to 25p a brick for face work a tad more working alone

 

[Jrstainless]

Why not ask another brikky to have a look at the work and give you a reasonable price what it would cost. Offer a few quid for his trouble then you'll know we're you stand.
My nephew is a bricklayer and gets £450 per thousand which can be laid in no time but it does depend on the type of work.

 

[Johnseat]

It's all face work with pillars as well.
The thread can be closed for me as I've read enough to see I haven't been over charged or been mislead, think I'm still learning everyday in my youth...(32yo)

 

[the snooper]

The thing is people need written quotes to make things stick estimates are just that and allow for increases

 

[rtbcomp]

And there's a difference between a quote and an estimate.

 

[Welderpaul]

In my experience in business if someone quotes you a low price for a job, and you know it is far too low, you are either going to get a rubbish job, or they will realise and walk off.

Its better to get a fair price for the job, you're happy with what you are paying, and he's happy in his work that he's making a fair amount of money.

Of course, people can still charge a lot/a fair amount for a job and produce rubbish, that's when you hit them with a big stick.

 

[addjunkie]

Getting s fixed price for building work, in my experience works out more expensive, ss every builder I know adds in a substansial amount for the unseen, unplanned and wastage.

Quote for my house was almost 50% more plus vat. I bought materials, and paid the men, ineffect managing the job my self.

 

[Johnseat]

This is the first brick job I've ever paid for due to the old man being a bricky for years but he's in a poor state of health and I think this job would have finished him off.
I honestly didn't know how long it would take a skilled bricky to do the job with me being the labourer as well as do most jobs myself.
Only jobs I won't tackle are brick laying, gas due to having a plumber in the family and plastering.

 

[Country Joe]

This is the first brick job I've ever paid for due to the old man being a bricky for years but he's in a poor state of health and I think this job would have finished him off.

Maybe ask your old man how much it should have cost you.
Obviously too late, now - as it's already done.
CJ

 

[Johnseat]

He's not been able to get to look at the job due to his health sadly and he's not been a bricky for over 20 years but always kept his hands in and his skills up to standard.

 

[the snooper]

Getting s fixed price for building work, in my experience works out more expensive, ss every builder I know adds in a substansial amount for the unseen, unplanned and wastage.

Quote for my house was almost 50% more plus vat. I bought materials, and paid the men, ineffect managing the job my self.

I think that probably suits some people though because they like to know where they are and don't want any nasty surprises