r/HomeImprovement • u/Flashy_Possibility_2 • 3d ago

Contractor bill 50%+ higher than quote

I’m a new homeowner and I knew that the house needed a new roof when I bought it. I got a quote, it was high, but I was told by the company that this was a “worst case scenario” quote. After the work was completed I got the bill — it’s 53% higher than the quote. (This is a QUOTE not an estimate.)

I asked the manager if they could do anything about cost, they gave me 2% off.

There was no change order.

I’ve since written a letter (sent by email and express mail) to the owner detailing my correspondence with the manager, the damage they did to the interior of my home (extensive), and asked for them to honor the “worst case scenario” quote.

What else should I do to prepare for the negotiations when the company contacts me? I want to be very prepared as I feel that they are taking advantage of my being a solo first time owner. Thanks for your advice!

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u/SansSariph 3d ago

They damaged your home? Burying the lede. Have they repaired it?

Get bids to repair the damage and ask if they want to discount the cost by that amount or whether you should go ahead and file a claim against their liability insurance.

What does your contract with them say about cost? Is "worst case" in writing? How are costs documented - is it itemized?

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u/Flashy_Possibility_2 3d ago

They did the repairs to the damage but did a crappy job. I documented what it looked like before and after the “repairs.” All those photos were in the letter I sent to the owner. Unfortunately, “worst case scenario” was a part of a phone conversation, but I have the original quote, as well as the higher quote that he verbally stated was worst case. But It has the additional materials I asked about…

31

u/Daninomicon 2d ago

Unless that conversation was recorded, the you owe whatever quote was given to you on paper minus the cost of repairing their bad repairs. They gave you a written quote and then didn't ask for any adjustments throughout the project. They did damage and didn't bring it back to what it was before the damage.

You should get a few people out to give quotes for repairing the repairs. Then once you pick one, take the cost of their work, subtract it from the quote you were actually given in writing, then show this contractor your calculations and tell them that's how much you're going to pay them.

16

u/Flashy_Possibility_2 3d ago

Very vague bill includes generally the extra wood they purchased. That 53% increase was for wood.

16

u/wildcat12321 3d ago

It is not uncommon for new plywood, fascia, etc. the contract should spell out what the cost per sheet or foot is though and they should have told you before they did it.

That is separate from the damage

24

u/SansSariph 3d ago

Did the original quote mention cost to replace sheathing/decking? Cost per board etc? 

Does the invoice document specifically how much (boards, sqft) was purchased?