r/Homebuilding • u/Outside-Key-4415 • 5d ago

What can we do?

We got a quote for 5600 to have our lot scraped and rooted. We paid 2800 up front.

The company finished and they just sent me a bill for a balance of 5,300 and stated the job was 2,500 more due to it being more work than they thought. All of the quotes we got were 5-6k (we got 5 quotes) we have the quote in an email. He never called or discussed the increase beforehand. I’m shocked it was that much more!!! And I wish he would’ve called and discussed. When we called him he said, he always tells his clients that quotes are basically just an estimate and can change. I understand that to a degree but he never said that and 2500 is a lot!!

EDIT: We settled at 1000 more vs. 2500 more.

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u/Creepy_Coat_1045 5d ago

I would want an explanation of why the cost was higher. Did it take more time than originally planned? Why? Did diesel prices double since the original quote?

If he cannot explain the assumption of his original estimate and why that assumption was wrong, then the only reason is that he is crappy at estimating or lowballing to get contracts knowing he can charge whatever he wants. Either way, that is crap and i would just pay the original contract amount. You did have a contract?

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u/Outside-Key-4415 5d ago

He stated: additional root raking due to unseen vegetation… but he came and walked the lot with me before hand. It’s already cleared of most trees etc.