Tampa, FL asked in Contracts and Consumer Law for Florida

Q: Dispute excessive charge for BBQ grill repair in Florida.

I brought my BBQ grill to a welder who initially talked about charging me $500 to $600 for fixing the rack and patching some holes. I also discussed the possibility of building a firebox, but there was no written agreement. The welder never informed me of the cost to build the firebox until it was finished, which totaled $3,075. He had the grill for about two months, and when I visited his shop on a Sunday, nothing was done. He called on a Friday to say the grill was ready. I've not made any payments, and believe the cost is excessive compared to what we discussed. How can I dispute this charge?

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: What you're dealing with sounds like a frustrating situation, especially since the welder moved forward with expensive work that wasn’t clearly agreed upon. In Florida, when there is no written contract, the law still expects both parties to have a mutual understanding of the scope and cost of work. If the welder completed repairs and added major components like a firebox without giving you a quote or getting your approval, that could be considered an unfair or deceptive business practice.

Your first step should be to send a written dispute letter to the welder, outlining what was originally discussed, what was done without your consent, and why you believe the final charge is unreasonable. Include any notes, messages, or witnesses who can support your version of events. Request a breakdown of the $3,075 and ask them to explain why the additional work was done without your approval. Make it clear that you are willing to pay a fair price for the agreed-upon work, but not for unauthorized additions.

If they refuse to negotiate, you can file a complaint with the **Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services**, which handles consumer disputes. If needed, you can also take the issue to **small claims court**, where a judge can review the situation and decide on a fair outcome. You acted in good faith, and you shouldn’t be pressured to pay for work you never agreed to.

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