Am I wrong?

[LeadPoison]

We contracted someome to do some dozer work on our land a while back. Two relatives and myself walked the property with the guy and showed him what we wanted done. We asked for an estimate of time as we had a budget. I got a bill for 2.5X the verbal estimate. I was never made aware it was taking longer. Just a final bill. He expects to be paid despite my sentiments. Not only that, it just wasn't that much work. Both of my relatives who were with me owned a dozer at one time and the other project manages heavy machinery on a daily basis. They were in awe that it took that long according to him. I don't feel obligated to pay the guy for the extra work. I am in the construction industry and if I give someone an estimate to fix something and it takes more labor than I estimated, I eat the difference. Am I wrong?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Ask him to explain why it took so much longer to do the job then what he originally figured. If his explanation makes sense and you can see how it wasn't something easily forseen at the time of the estimate then hopefully you two can work something out.

Did you have any signed contracts? If so did they cover this situation?

 

[kebo]

At the very least, the dozer operator should have gotten in touch with you beforehand and discussed the "extra time" issue, once he realized it as was going to take longer. As far as we whether or not you should pay, my first thought is, "no, don't pay him". But, I haven't heard his side of it either. Maybe his dozer is smaller than he led you to believe, thus taking much longer to do the same work? Maybe there were some legitimate reasons that he could not have foreseen??? I don't know. Hope you can work it out with him though.

 

[LeadPoison]

There are no signed contracts. I have friends who have used him many times before. His reason is that it just took longer. Until this year they haven't had any issues. They got a very high bill as well and they just sucked it up. I am not. He just flat underestimated. His dozer is a good size. I beleive it's a 550 with 10' six way blade.

 

[Tig]

Did you get any other estimates to compare it to? If I choose one bidder over another based on price and he goes way over, then I am not initially very sympathetic.
Seems that a compromise of some sort may be in order.

 

[J_J]

I think that if you have two other people that heard the given estimate, then if he did what you wanted, that should be it, but if he did more than you wanted, then the fault is his. A smaller dozer has nothing to do with the given estimate. If the contractor knew he was running over his stated estimate, then he should have stopped his work and discussed new terms. Does he have any other witness on his side?

 

[LeadPoison]

It wan't a 550. It was a 650. He has no other witnesses. He performed what we asked for the most part. I can't complain. I don't dislike the guy or have any other issues with him. He just doesn't see our side. I paid him the estimate amount and he feels I still owe him $2000.

 

[Bird]

if I give someone an estimate to fix something and it takes more labor than I estimated, I eat the difference. Am I wrong?

I know they call it an "estimate" so it can vary. In the auto repair business in Dallas (and some other cities) a garage is supposed to provide a written estimate and than can go no higher than 15% over the estimate without prior approval.

But I'm like you. I've given lots of people "estimates" to do jobs, but I never went a nickel over the estimate, even if I lost money. I might come in under the estimate but never over. I guess I just wasn't a very shart businessman.

 

[J_J]

It wan't a 550. It was a 650. He has no other witnesses. He performed what we asked for the most part. I can't complain. I don't dislike the guy or have any other issues with him. He just doesn't see our side. I paid him the estimate amount and he feels I still owe him $2000.

Was that estimate based on money and time, or just time only. Did you ever state any kind of money limit. If his time estimate was off, the money will add up. If you guys want to stay friends, have a mediator listen to your case, and that will probable save court cost if it comes to that. I think the difference is more than a small claims court will handle, but I am not sure.

 

[rox]

I think you and he have a difference of opinion on the word "estimate" Was it an estimate or did he agree to do the job for a set price? If the bill would have come in lower would you have still paid him the greater estimated price? Although I agree with you that x2.5 is excessive.