Customer refusing to pay.. where do I stand

[Plumby39]

This is my first post, so hopefully its in the right place...

I am a self employed landscape gardener and have recently been employed to complete a rear garden and driveway at a customers property. The revamp took longer than expected due to the weather and issues with family, theirs and mine, all seemed ok. Customer was always at home and not once mentioned they werent happy, it was left that I would return to point up a patio and turf once the weather turned. I spoke to them last week so that I could return this week and issued them with a final balance as they have been paying in installments. He came back with an email pointing out lots of issues/unfinished works and that he has had to get someone in to repair the work and the costs, and also what he feels is left to do, meaning he thinks he owes nothing of the £3.5k he still owes! Firstly, I have been to his property and can see none of what he says has been done, and secondly he is refusing to allow me to return to clear up his 'issues' and also refusing to pay the balance!

Where do I stand with this? does he have to allow me time to fix and continue the job and make payment, or do I have to swallow this?

 

[TotalWebSolutions]

Did you have the client sign a contract or provide a full written quote with a breakdown of the work agreed? You might be best posting this in the legal section for some expert advice.

Simon

 

[Plumby39]

A full quote was provided at the time.

Thank you

 

[TotalWebSolutions]

See what advice you can get on here but also have a look at this as it could offer some useful advice in steps to take and to safeguard against future occurrences.

 

[Toby Willows]

You take photos, get your contract, quote and all correspondence and stand in front of a solicitor for advice.

 

[Big G]

Hi Plumby39,

I note that you supplied a quote to the customer. Was this a written quotation? If so, did it fully detail the exact works that you were agreeing to carry out and the full price of the job?

You admit that there were works to be completed once the weather picked up and, of course, this is a very legitimate reason for a landscape gardener not to have completed works as expected. were you in contact with the customer in between the times of the work being completed and during the delays? Did you have any written correspondence regarding this as in texts or emails? If so, did they ever suggest that they were unhappy with the works or the time being taken to complete? If not, then it certainly does sound like you have done all that you can to complete the job and they are simply not wanting you to complete so that they can withhold payment.

It also sounds like they are trying to claim that they appointed someone else to finish the job or correct works but, if this was to be the case, then they must be able to show that they allowed you an opportunity to finish the works and put right any snags before instructing another party.

If you would like us to take a look at the correspondence, contract formed, etc then we will be happy to do so and advise further.

Regards
Nick

 

[Ed Swain]

Did you every get a formal agreement either via a signed contract or confirmed written email for example?

 

[Jessica A.]

It looks like your customer is trying to get free services from you. I assume that the contract that you provided was a detailed one and legalities is also included in it? If so, then you wouldn't have a problem going after them for not paying for your services.