Materials means materials and not tools right?!

[kawak]

Hi,

Just getting my bathroom done and we have agreed a price for labour + materials. The builder has given me a stack of receipts for materials. Am I being petty to question why he has added jigsaw blades and diamond tip drill bits to this or is this normal? even though he may have used it for the job, should it not be materials only. It amounts to about £20, but principles and all that....

Thanks
Kawak

 

[TonyWarrington]

IMHO As you have an agreed price for labour and materials and the jigsaw blades and drill bits are receipted then you could ask for them as I would imagine they could be considered your property

 

[kawak]

Hi Tony,

Thats what I was thinking. Either keep them or take them off the bill. Just didnt know if it was common practice to be charged for this. I'd let him know after he finishes the job!

Thanks

 

[masona]

At least the builders was being honest where the money is being spent unless it wasn't in the agreed quote then it's a little unfair, most builders I know put a small percentage in the quote to cover the cost of wear & tear of the tools and a jigsaw blades don't last long!

 

[sooey]

Hi,

Just getting my bathroom done and we have agreed a price for labour + materials. The builder has given me a stack of receipts for materials. Am I being petty to question why he has added jigsaw blades and diamond tip drill bits to this or is this normal? even though he may have used it for the job, should it not be materials only. It amounts to about £20, but principles and all that....

Thanks
Kawak

It sounds like he has supplied the materials at cost price, and sourced and picked them up. And you're worried about some dill bits and jigsaw blades. FFS

 

[kawak]

I have to laugh at Sooey's comments. Typical shoot from the hip comment.

Just to put you in the picture:

Materials supplied from Wickes because receipts are printed from..err..wickes. So at cost price? dont think so.

Picked them up? yes. Cos he drives pass Wickes to get to my place.

Like I said, its in principle.

 

[joe-90]

Why did you laugh? He was spot-on.

 

[jefoss]

if you agreed a price before the job was done then tell him to feck off,

however if extra work was needed after original quote then he couldnt have put it in his original price, i always allow for drill bits etc in my price, if i dont have to buy them for that job then its a bonus.

 

[kawak]

As spot on as going to the garage for an engine service and to find a spark plug wrench on the bill. Suppose its only fair cos the garage got the materials at cost price blah blah....

 

[kawak]

Thanks for the reply Jefoss.

Just interesting to know how many ppl would think its common practice...

seems like it does happen!

 

[godsoftandjoearedull]

Materials supplied from Wickes because receipts are printed from..err..wickes. So at cost price? dont think so.

I do. He hasn't added a % markup has he? Therefore, they have been supplied at cost price.

Picked them up? yes. Cos he drives pass Wickes to get to my place.

But time is £. Those sheds are big places!

I think you will find that blades and bits are classed as consumables, not tools. If you're that bothered ask to keep them when he's finished, nothing like a tool box full of blunt blades and bits!

 

[TonyWarrington]

My comment was a little tongue in cheek

most builders I know put a small percentage in the quote to cover the cost of wear & tear of the tools and a jigsaw blades don't last long!

Seems fair to put a percentage on for wear and tear.

It sounds like he has supplied the materials at cost price, and sourced and picked them up. And you're worried about some dill bits and jigsaw blades. FFS

Without checking material prices at supplier how can you be sure that they were supplied at cost - receipts can be fiddled (BTW I am not suggesting this is the case here!)

At least your builder has actually gone to the trouble of providing receipts which I do assume represent a true and fair price for materials as such it does appear to me that he is being fair and honest.

If you are happy with the quality of work and the price for labour and materials originally agreed does not differ by a large amount then if it was me I would let it go.

You may want to use him again for another project and to quibble about £20 (guess this to be a very small percentage of total bill) could put him off working for you in the future

 

[joe-90]

The parts you refer to are 'consumables' they wear out. It's pretty much the done thing to include them if you need them. He did you a favour by picking up the gear - so give it a rest.

 

[kawak]

Well thanks for the reply all.

Hope I dont get a bill for his petrol cost!

 

[joe-90]

Well thanks for the reply all.

Hope I dont get a bill for his petrol cost!

Why? He carted your gear around for you.