No bill issued

starlady1

I owe a tradeperson a sum of money for work carried out at my home just over 2 years ago.

I asked him for a bill and I then spoke with him since about 18 months ago and asked him again to send me a bill. No sign of it.

Is there a timeframe in which he must bill me for work carried out? Could he send me the bill in 10 years time and would I still have to pay it?

I have no issue paying it whatsoever but it is a considerable amount of money and if he doesn't want it I have plenty other things to spend it on!

Fogmatic

Sorry - double posted! (Couldn't spot a way to delete).

Claw Hammer

He has six years to issue a bill and claim payment from the time of your last written acknowledgement of the debt. After that you can claim the debt is statute barred. In theory he can look for the money any time till you die and leave it to you to defend a claim from him. If he owes you money he can offset that bill at any time till you die or even a few years after that.

starlady1

Thanks for the reply. 4 years to go so...

chunkylover4

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117688647#Comment_117688647

Are you disputing the cost of the work with him?

starlady1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117692913#Comment_117692913

No not at all he just won't give me a bill!

GerardKeating

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117693149#Comment_117693149

Do what any honest person would do, patiently wait for the bill, no need to remind him. he will send it in his own time.

con747

Op You must have discussed the cost of the work involved? I have never had to chase a builder for over 2 years to settle a bill. You obviously want to settle the debt so maybe send him the quoted amount and see if he gets back to you then.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117688647#Comment_117688647

Just in relation to statue barred Debt, I believe (and open to correction) this is only relevant from the date of notification of actual debt, in other words from the date the actual bill issued. I'm not aware of any specific requirement for a business to issue a bill within a specific period of time albeit most unusual for any person or business not to submit an invoice for works carried out and completed within a month or so.

You mention its a substantial sum? are you actually aware of the amount?, if your keen to discharge the debt would it not be wise to communicate in writing, email etc seeking a bill in an attempt to get this issue resolved.

Incidentally, certain Statue Barred Debt don't go away, for example if you have Bank registered debts, reported to credit reference agencies, it remains on record and can affect credit rating. Whilst your case is not at this level the builder can register the debt through the courts by way of judgement, this seems highly unlikely in this case, ultimately I wouldn't be banking (no pun intended) on the statue barred argument.

Nozebleed

im guessing the work was a cash in hand job and OP now thinks he doesn't have to pay because an invoice hasn't materialised. just do whats right..and pay the man for his services.

starlady1

Just to clarify a few things.

We did discuss the cost of the work involved.

I want to reiterate I want to pay him. I asked him when work was completed to send me a bill. I ran into him 6 months later and asked him again to send me a bill. That was 18 months ago. I am 2 years waiting for a bill to arrive now.

It wasn't a cash in hand job at least not that I am aware of. I have no problem paying the tradesman but very hard to pay him with no bill!

starlady1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117694040#Comment_117694040

Thank you for clarifying the statue barred Debt it does make sense that it would only apply if a bill had been issued.

I suppose all I can do is wait. Maybe in another 2 years I might get a bill.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117695085#Comment_117695085

No problem at all, I wish I had a trades person who took their time issuing a Bill 😊😉

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117694085#Comment_117694085

What part of any of this made you think the OP thinks they don’t have to pay? Are you able to understand the words in the posts?

antix80

If you agreed a cost upfront you can pay him without a bill. There is a risk you'll get an unexpected..hmmm something of a balloon payment request, where he says "well, the quote was 2500 but the actual cost ended up being 3000"..

If it's just a case he's rubbish at paperwork you could send him a cheque for the agreed amount with a letter stating it's in full and final settlement of amounts owed.

One thing for sure, you owe the man money and assuming no funny business on his part,you can expect he'll want to recover it some day - statute barred or not.

starlady1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117695262#Comment_117695262

I do think you're right and paperwork just isn't his strongpoint.

He's excellent at what he does but should probably get someone to do the paperwork side of things for him.

I suppose he will look for it someday. I will keep the money aside for him. If he wants it he'll ask for it. I'll update the thread if I ever do receive a bill.

Thanks for all the information and advice.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697075#Comment_117697075

Op why won't you just send him the amount quoted or discussed initially at the beginning? Then he can either accept the payment or then send you an accurate bill. Why wait for him to send the bill before taking action on it. If you were happy with the work then just send him the initial quote and take it from there, then he can either accept it as paid in full or request a different amount.

chunkylover4

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117697667#Comment_117697667

This is what I would do simply because it's hard to find good tradesmen and you might have other work for him in future.