plumber overcharge fee query

[BobbyJoe]

Hi everyone,

A plumber did some work for me and has done so in the past as well and has been great which is why I hire him.
Anyway the last job he did he overcharged me, caused a little damage in my kitchen where he was working and after many requests has not provided me with a receipt ( 7 weeks ago).

When I queried the fee he said it was because that is what we agreed, but I found messages stating the original fee but he challenged it as well as damage in my kitchen which he said he told me about as he left. I paid a lot of money for a small job but I pay for quality and not quantity and the least he can do is provide me with a receipt but hasn't done so which is why I am here asking what can I do about it?

I am not going to bad mouth him or leave negative reviews but as a customer am I not entitled to a receipt which has been 7 weeks in the waiting?
Any advice would be great, thanks.

 

[Chuck]

My understanding is that you are not legally entitled to a receipt (unless you are a VAT registered business buying from another VAT registered business).

However, there is no good reason for a legitimate business not to issue a receipt for money received.

In my experience when people refuse to issue receipts it is because (a) they are going bust and are trying to shield money from creditors, or (b) they are trying to avoid tax, usually VAT.

I suggest you contact your local Trading Standards dept and see what they advise.

Always pay traders by credit/debit card or bank transfer then you have proof of payment whether or not they feel like giving you a receipt.

 

[BobbyJoe]

Thank you for your advice. I always paid him via bank transfer to his business account. He had always provided a receipt in the past as his work is guaranteed for 12 months but I am not sure if he is avoiding it this time because he knows he overcharged me? But even if that is the case I still paid him what he wanted therefore he shouldn't avoid my request when he has provided receipts in the past for myself and friends I have recommended him to.

 

[gmartine]

Did you get him from a trade site and if so is there a permanent record of the price he agreed to for the job? You may have a route of complaint through them if that is the case.

 

[BobbyJoe]

Yes he is from a trade site, wras approved engineer/plumber. I have a message of the price we originally agreed to and feel stupid for paying him more than I wanted to because I felt some sort of loyalty as he has done work for myself and family for a few years and thought if I have any issues he is usually reliable and quick to respond.

 

[fowlerboi]

The vagueness of this thread doesn't inspire much confidence in the OP.

Are you looking for receipt of payment or receipt of materials he has provided?

There are a million reasons why he has charged you more than you probably agreed on. The only way to judge is to see the copy of the agreement in the first place and hear what work was done and what damage was caused.

OP you didn't ask him for a cash price or if he could lose the vat and then ask for an invoice did you?

 

[BobbyJoe]

A receipt of payment as he always gives one once the job has been completed. Old messages state what was the original price, his argument is that I was told of the new price while the work was being carried out but I do not recall him saying, he was going to charge more and caused damage in my kitchen. I did not pay in cash did a bank transfer to his business account as usual which is why I find it odd that for the first time in years he is not providing a response to my request.

 

[Murdoch]

Did the op get an invoice before payment ?