I'm receiving conflicting advice on this so I thought I'd run it by the legal gods at Somersoft in the hope that someone has handled this sticky situation before:
We are finishing up a (stressful, error riddled) GF build. Builder has lumped us with extra variations in the very final invoice, many of which were not in writing beforehand. Also trying to charge extra 15m of submains cable that wasn't in original quote but listed as a PC @$55/pm. GF is next to main house (which is raised), and the electrician ran cable from switchbox on other side of main house, through roof and down a wall to GF, instead of under house. Cable was only dug underground for 1.8m between premises (by hand) so no big cost there. No new switchboard was installed for house and there was no upgrade of mains from house to pole.
My questions:
- can variations be charged if not in writing? Do they need to be in writing at the time of installation?
- can PC items be charged at whatever on contract or does it need to reflect charges passed on to builder? (I have not seen electrical receipt for submains, just length of cable laid and am sure the electrical bill was much less).
- do we have to pay this invoice by due date if we challenge it and ask for mediation through Dept Fair Trade?
Any advice gratefully received and appreciated!
We are finishing up a (stressful, error riddled) GF build. Builder has lumped us with extra variations in the very final invoice, many of which were not in writing beforehand. Also trying to charge extra 15m of submains cable that wasn't in original quote but listed as a PC @$55/pm. GF is next to main house (which is raised), and the electrician ran cable from switchbox on other side of main house, through roof and down a wall to GF, instead of under house. Cable was only dug underground for 1.8m between premises (by hand) so no big cost there. No new switchboard was installed for house and there was no upgrade of mains from house to pole.
My questions:
- can variations be charged if not in writing? Do they need to be in writing at the time of installation?
- can PC items be charged at whatever on contract or does it need to reflect charges passed on to builder? (I have not seen electrical receipt for submains, just length of cable laid and am sure the electrical bill was much less).
- do we have to pay this invoice by due date if we challenge it and ask for mediation through Dept Fair Trade?
Any advice gratefully received and appreciated!