home alterations for friends.

[lembo121]

Hi,

i own a plumbing and heating company with a good reputation. Recently we upgraded a bathroom suite and made alterations to the central heating system for a long standing friend with many discounts. Because we were friends it was agreed we would undertake this work at cost on materials and a day rate for labour, none of which was put in writting. This work started while i was abroad on holiday. Unfortunately the work went a little less than smooth due to newly employed staff which i soon realised were incompetent and dismissed. The mistakes made resulted in alterations which cost over �1200.00. I instagated these alteration and immediatly agreed to cover the cost to correct the mistakes. This ment that the cost involved to correct the mistakes deleted the labour and small profit. The end product is stunning and the bathroom is now exactly how they imagined it would be and they have admitted they are delighted. However, the customer/friend is looking for a further �500 compensation deducted from the invoice which would mean that i am now footing the bill for the materials we supplied too. Where do i stand in a court if things were to go down this road? To be honest, im happy to pay some compentsation even if it is from my pocket but not �500.00.

Any advice would be much appreciated

G.

[Hammer]

Compensation for what? They have the bathroom they wanted.

You employed a muppet who messed it up, so you had to go back in and sort out their mess, which you paid for yourself, and installed the bathroom as agreed.

End result, bathroom fitted, you still charge them the original amount.

I don't think any court would rule against you. Your employees messed up, so you put things right. Your customer has what they paid for.

[baileybird]

What nerve. You have been a better friend to him than he is to you.
Tell him to stick it, and don't bother with them again- they are using and abusing your friendship.

[Skyline D]

Well the compensation presumably is for the considerable inconvenience of having a bathroom out of commission for some time longer than expected or agreed.

Not that I'm agreeing it. Given the deal that they got on installation costs I think they've a right cheek looking for further cashback.

[lembo121]

Thanks,

The compensation claim is simply because they were inconvenienced as the work was delayed. This delay was partly down to them refusing anyone other than me into the property to complete the work. Also this was a second bathroom, they had another one up the stairs. Trouble is they are both lawyers! Land lawyers not civil. i think hes using legal wording to scare us into submission.