Extra Charges

BalboBiggins

Hi lads, if a builder never mentions extra charges to you during the build and then in the final bill adds the following:

Concrete block Walls, 215mm thick (changing and increasing width to 300mm blockwork block/cavity/block + 80mm cavity insulation of 7.6 m2 on 1 x wall) Extra-over shown Extra/ variances sheet - €1650.

Do I just have to pay this 1650 extra or is he pulling a fast one?

dubrov

Depends on what type of contract you have.

If it was a fixed price one, the builder has to absorb the extra costs.

The problem is that a lot of builders will stop work if you don't let them pass on the extra cost to you, even with a fixed price contract. If they have no work left to do, they don't really have any leverage left.

MakersMark

If you asked for the the changes to be made, then you're most likely liable.

He should have told you of any costs to make changes though.

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118837811#Comment_118837811

Agreed. The op obviously requested a change from single block wall to cavity wall so the builder is right in looking for extra. I would query the amount though.

C. Eastwood

The construction of a domestic dwellinghouse rarely involves a Fixed Contract Sum.

It appears that the building works are completed.

Are you aware of the extra works, that were carried out.

If the builder did the works outlined on his final account, then you are obliged to pay him.

The builder ought to have informed you of the extra costs at the time of the extra works.

dubrov

I hadn't clocked in the OPs pay that it was a change rather than just an increase in material costs.

Surely any change to the spec would have been agreed and the cost impact discussed. If so, it is only right you pay the builder for the extra work performed

BalboBiggins

I don't know what this change was. The builder was literally on site 5 times in 6 months and has been a terrible communicator throughout.