- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
1
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:07 pm to stout
quote:
They all bill like they are performing brain surgery.
Well...both have a skill that the majority of the populace either can't do or aren't willing to do.
I tell young people all the time that people will pay you good money to do things that they can't or don't want to do themselves.
One guy paid me $389 to swap out an electrical outlet on the dock of his pond. $389 to loosen 2 screws and then tighten 2 more. Took 5 minutes because the breaker was about a minute of walking distance.
If the invoice accounts for everything, then you have no grounds to stand on.
To prove the invoice is inaccurate will require getting an expert to do an inspection.
Paying what he invoiced you is the cheapest and safest course of action.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:09 pm to SOSFAN
quote:
I'm a manager for a HVAC/Plumbing company. We give written estimates and the client signs them. If we miscalculated labor or materials that's on us. Once both parties agreed to the price it's a done deal.
This. The job is either a fixed cost or a time and material quote Most of the time it’s fixed cost. If more scope is discovered you talk to customer and discuss a fixed cost for the additional scope.
If a service call to do something like unclog a line they should give you the hourly rate. If the blockage required an excavation then they should come to you with a contract to sign for additional work
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:11 pm to stout
quote:
Not just wall space. My favorite is seeing the photos of plumbers hacking up floor joists to where there is no support left
They will absolutely mutilate anything they can get a Sawzall on, with the invention of the mini-recip saws, they are even more of a menace. Structural members, exterior sheathing, it all means nothing to them. Notch a stud or top plate and leave just a sliver on the back? It's all good; everyone knows the nail plate restores full structural strength. Need a hole for a 4" waste line? No problem; it should fit through a 12" square hole if we really try.
On a positive note, they are at least moderately aware they are supposed to clean up after themselves, something electricians actively work to forget.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:17 pm to Skippy1013
quote:
As the job progressed, more work was in needed and I agreed verbally to an additional $2000. When the job was finished, the plumber presented me with a final invoice of $10,380.
This is the issue working against you.
You claim that you agreed verbally to $2000.
He will claim that you agreed to any additional costs, which he informed you would be at least $2000.
You have the burden of proof working against you. You can't prove what was agreed to verbally, so you'll have to prove the invoice is fraudulent.
Is $2000 worth the effort?
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:20 pm to Skippy1013
Plumber sucks at estimating. Call his bluff and tell him to stick it up his arse.
Just had a two trees cut down and owner said $1500 cheaper to climb tree rather than use crane. Told him I didn’t care if it took 4 hours versus 1 hour with a crane so start climbing. Said he would send his best 2 climbers. One got hurt on another job and the other whimped out he said. He brought in a crane today and he got paid what we had agreed on. Things happen and people underestimate but your plumber waaaaayyyyy underestimated and that’s on him. Meeting him halfway is understandable but frick that guy.
Just had a two trees cut down and owner said $1500 cheaper to climb tree rather than use crane. Told him I didn’t care if it took 4 hours versus 1 hour with a crane so start climbing. Said he would send his best 2 climbers. One got hurt on another job and the other whimped out he said. He brought in a crane today and he got paid what we had agreed on. Things happen and people underestimate but your plumber waaaaayyyyy underestimated and that’s on him. Meeting him halfway is understandable but frick that guy.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:26 pm to Skippy1013
quote:
Final Bill dispute with a Contractor (Plumber)
You've come to the right place.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:30 pm to Skippy1013
Did you sign an initial proposal?
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:34 pm to tigerbutt
quote:
Things happen and people underestimate but your plumber waaaaayyyyy underestimated and that’s on him. Meeting him halfway is understandable but frick that guy.
We don't know what the verbal agreement details really are.
There's a big difference between "it'll be another $2000" and "It'll be at least another $2000."
This post was edited on 8/11/26 at 7:36 pm
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:37 pm to magildachunks
quote:
You have the burden of proof working against you. You can't prove what was agreed to verbally, so you'll have to prove the invoice is fraudulent.
The burden of proof is on the plumber. The only written documentation is the original quote. That's why most States require a signed contract to get a mechanics lien. No written contract is on the plumber.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:40 pm to weadjust
quote:
burden of proof is on the plumber. The only written documentation is the original quote. That's why most States require a signed contract to get a mechanics lien. No written contract is on the plumber.
He's claiming the invoice may be wrong, so he has to prove it is.
And verbal agreements are legally binding in Louisiana.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:44 pm to Skippy1013
Contractor here...
He is likley not trying to eff you. More likely he does a lot of T&M work and didnt estimate the change properly. Even if he had, he should have made you aware of the additional 2k in labor and material.
In both of these situations, communication is key. Some people are good contractors that are just bad at communicating.
I am a decent contractor with great anticipation and communication.
If the work was good pay him.
He is likley not trying to eff you. More likely he does a lot of T&M work and didnt estimate the change properly. Even if he had, he should have made you aware of the additional 2k in labor and material.
In both of these situations, communication is key. Some people are good contractors that are just bad at communicating.
I am a decent contractor with great anticipation and communication.
If the work was good pay him.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:53 pm to magildachunks
quote:
He's claiming the invoice may be wrong, so he has to prove it is.
Why would he have to prove the invoice is wrong? He didn't generate the invoice.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:56 pm to stout
quote:Yep, I had plumbing work done and was still having issues. I asked owner to come over personally to take a look because I did not trust the young guys he sent over to look at the problem. The a-hole sends me a bill for $400 the next day for coming out. I emailed him back and told him I wasnt paying that shite and this was on the house since I just paid him close to 10k on a repair.
shite like this is why Im glad Jeff Landry and the state is making it easier to become a licensed plumber. We need more competition in plumbing and electrical trades. They all bill like they are performing brain surgery.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:57 pm to ATrillionaire
quote:
Why would he have to prove the invoice is wrong? He didn't generate the invoice.
Because he's the one who is questioning the accuracy of the invoice.
The burden of proof is on the accuser, not the defendant.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:57 pm to Skippy1013
He gave you an ESTIMATE! Meaning exactly that. Estimated. However, he should have given you a heads up during the work. Most people will understand as long as it’s communicated during the job and not the surprise after. I believe you owe it to him. Don’t call him back for the next job. I hope he did a good job.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 8:01 pm to Skippy1013
I would pay him $8,200 and then come to an agreement on the rest, but without anything in writing you might lose this battle.
To save some money one time I told a contractor I was going to buy materials he provides the list. I dont think he liked that arrangement because the labor was ridiculous. Moral of the story is that the middle class is fricked.
To save some money one time I told a contractor I was going to buy materials he provides the list. I dont think he liked that arrangement because the labor was ridiculous. Moral of the story is that the middle class is fricked.
Posted on 8/11/26 at 8:12 pm to Skippy1013
definition of estimate
Estimate
An estimate means making a rough guess or calculation about the size, cost, value, or amount of something when you do not know the exact number. It can be used as a verb (to calculate roughly) or a noun (the final guessed amount or a price quote from a worker).
Core Meanings
Rough Calculation: A smart guess based on the facts you have. Example: "An estimate of 50 people."
Price Quote: A cost sheet given by a worker or business for a job. Example: "A repair estimate."
Opinion or Judgment: What you think about someone or something's value or character.
Common Synonyms
Guess
Approximation
Gauge
Assessment
Evaluation
Estimate
An estimate means making a rough guess or calculation about the size, cost, value, or amount of something when you do not know the exact number. It can be used as a verb (to calculate roughly) or a noun (the final guessed amount or a price quote from a worker).
Core Meanings
Rough Calculation: A smart guess based on the facts you have. Example: "An estimate of 50 people."
Price Quote: A cost sheet given by a worker or business for a job. Example: "A repair estimate."
Opinion or Judgment: What you think about someone or something's value or character.
Common Synonyms
Guess
Approximation
Gauge
Assessment
Evaluation
Posted on 8/11/26 at 8:16 pm to J Murdah
quote:
save some money one time I told a contractor I was going to buy materials he provides the list.
What was the job you had him doing for you?
Posted on 8/11/26 at 8:27 pm to Skippy1013
Have you used him before?
Do you plan on using him again?
Big company or small? Check BBB ratings?
Do you plan on using him again?
Big company or small? Check BBB ratings?
This post was edited on 8/11/26 at 8:30 pm
Page 2 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News