Q: licenced contractor, written proposal but no contract, we haven’t signed anything relating to costs, now bill is absurd.
We completed a renovation with a licensed contractor. We received a written proposal which we agreed to by email but not in contact or written form. The scope changed in some areas which we agreed to verbally and in text/email but not writing. Now the final bill has come in on items in original proposal a rediculous amounts. Example is $8000 to install shower tile when the worker took 3 days and is paid $25/hr. We provided the tile. This charge was for labor and grout. And the list continues. What basis is used for fair charges?
A:
What makes you think emails or texts are not "in writing"? They are not on paper, perhaps, but they are obviously in writing.
Your email agreeing to the proposal constitutes an acceptance of the proposal and thus a contract.
If you agreed to change orders, you are probably contractually bound by them as well.
If charges for items on the final bill exceed what you agreed, you can dispute those charges.
A:
You really need to get offline and into a construction litigation attorneys office in your area ASAP. You need to get specific advice by having your discussions and emails reviewed. You have the right to dispute the amounts billed, if the same are different from the original quote, but there is just no way to tell here online.
Good luck,
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