Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Apr 07, 2010 10:41 pm I recently got 4 quotes for some side fences and gates. The same info was given to each company to quote both for metal slats and timber slats and all the quotes were comparable. We decided to get the metal slats and paid a deposit to the fencing company that we wanted to use (I don't want to name them at this stage). It's taken them 2 mths to make the gates/fences and they finally came today to install them. But they brought materials for a colorbond fence, which is not what we wanted or expected. The salesperson who quoted has since left this company and he did not submit the right information on the quote. So instead of writing "colorbond slats", he just wrote "colorbond" on the paperwork. But on the phone he had told me that he would contact the office to explain the job in detail, although clearly he didn't do this. They are now telling me that the price will go up by another $500 if we want the metal slats. It's already over $2000 so I feel that they should do it for the quoted price as it's their stuff up and not mine. And if their initial quote was $500 more in the first place we would have gone with someone else, or gone with the timber slats which are cheaper. I am also annoyed at the time it has taken for them to do the job and now we have this stuff up so I'm tempted to cancel the whole job and ask for the depost back. But that means after already waiting for 2 mths we will have to start again with obtaining more quotes as I don't want to use any of the other companies who already quoted, for various reasons. I'm going to ring them tomorrow to try and sort this out, seeing as the manager was supposed to call me today but didn't. Should I insist that they do the job for the quoted price or what are my rights in this situation? Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 2Apr 08, 2010 8:19 am Bump - anyone????? Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 4Apr 08, 2010 8:57 am Hey Hels, Well thats a crap situation, were you ever given a written quotation for the job? If so then they should honor the quote as specified. Try negotiating, if a mistake was made see just how much they want your business. Worst comes to worst, i'd ask for the deposit back and cancel the order as the materials to be supplied don't match those agreed upon. Our Build - Places Fairhaven 23+ - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28045 Our Landscaping - Belial's Backyard - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=45375 Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 5Apr 08, 2010 9:47 am Ok, the employee of the company should have written a more detailed quote. You should have made him rectify this to make sure everything is clear and set out. If I'm quoting a single beam, I write what everything what we will do, even if the job only comes to $1k. Now, how hard is it for that company to actually call up the person who worked for them to clarify? Tell them to do that so the mess can be sorted out. Most people in the 21st century own a phone and can actually talk, the company needs to pull it's finger out and get their game on. Then, if the salesman got it wrong and quoted the wrong thing and they want you to pay, say you will only go halves, both parties at that stage need to take some responsibility and both parties still do not want any bad blood. The real crap part is that you paid a deposit without clearly knowing what you were to be getting. Lesson for everyone. Make sure you have a clear quote. Refuse to pay remainder unless what was in that quote is done to 100% completion. Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 6Apr 08, 2010 10:32 am That's terrible. A good warning story to be even more vigilant about professionals out there. I'm now used to getting quotes like this: "Supply and install [insert here the usual main subject of the business] ........ $x.x" It also looks like some traders take home whatever left-over materials there are on a building site. Has anyone else noticed that? Then look at ebay etc. - they are full of everything, which in my observation is same price or even dearer than in shops. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 7Apr 08, 2010 10:35 am The salesman has left the company after proving to be very unreliable and stuffing up heaps of quotes, and they have been unable to contact him since. I had asked him at the time why the quote was very vague and his response was that he had been under the pump so just gave me a quick written quote. He told me that he had all the details of what we wanted and would send a more detailed diagram through the office. However, it now seems that he didn't do this. He knew exactly what we wanted and he was also supposed to give me the addresses of some properties who had the same fence so we could go and have a look. However, I have learnt a very valuable lesson and I will make sure all information is clearly noted on all quotes in future. Moving along... I just spoke to the manager on the phone and he was very appologetic and understanding about the whole situation. He has basically agreed to do the job at their cost price, as it was under quoted. This does involved a bit more money on our part but I have agreed to this as I do still believe the company is reputable and has high standards. The manager admitted that unfortunately they had made a bad choice in hiring this salesman (who only worked for them for a month) and now they are trying to rectify the mess he made. They are coming next week to install the posts and a colourbond gate at the back of the house which they have already made up. We should get the metal slats within 1-2 weeks after that. So far, I am happy with the outcome Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 8Apr 08, 2010 10:40 am Excellent outcome Hels, and well handled by you! My house and my rants.... - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=26937 We are in!!!...and still unpacking. Thankfully there are always Tim Tams Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 9Apr 08, 2010 10:45 am Good to hear that it's all sorted out! They get their costs covered and you get what you wanted, albeit costing you more money. I just hope that it was not too much more than what was quoted. Funny how that salesman said he was under the pump, and only working for the company for a month, meaning that he was probably not meeting expectations from the word go. I hope he does not work in Bris Vegas. Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 10Apr 08, 2010 11:41 am sorry to hear about your fence stuff-up hels, but glad it's been sorted out. hope you don't have to wait too much longer for them now. "Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions." — Elizabeth Gilbert Living in our new house. Currently scaping the land. Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 11Apr 08, 2010 12:35 pm At least its an equitable solution, you still get the fence you wanted albit at a increased cost. Better than no fence and needing to do quotes again. Our Build - Places Fairhaven 23+ - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=28045 Our Landscaping - Belial's Backyard - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=45375 Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 12Apr 08, 2010 6:21 pm It was an extra $164 so that's not too bad and they are doing colorbond gate/fence at the back of the house and we thought we would have to settle for timber, so that's a bonus. The installer rang me promptly this arvo to say he would be here tomorrow at 7.30am sharp to install the colorbond and the posts ready for the slats. Then he will take an accurate measurement for the slats which will be made up next week. That's very good service, in my book Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Fencing stuff up - what to do? 13May 08, 2010 1:43 pm It's been about a month since my last post and I thought I would update this thread as the fencing compnay have been good to their word and they have done the side fences exactly as we wanted them. We are very, very happy with how they resolved this issue and the product looks fantastic (well, we think so lol). Here's some pics Front LHS gate; http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Hels-b/Post%20Construction/side.jpg Front RHS fixed panel; http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Hels-b/Post%20Construction/side1.jpg Rear RHS colourbond gate; http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i60/Hels-b/Post%20Construction/side2.jpg Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Fencing stuff up - Resolved, now with pics 8/5 14May 08, 2010 4:19 pm Very nice, Hels. Love the slats! Thank goodness it all worked out in the end. Re: Fencing stuff up - Resolved, now with pics 8/5 16May 09, 2010 10:57 pm borg hels that looks amazing. I want one (actually i need two) what is it and where do I find it?? PM sent Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Fencing stuff up - Resolved, now with pics 8/5 17May 09, 2010 11:08 pm Gates look super doopa! Love the horizontal slats and the colour. 9 24789 This is one of the reasons I decided to go overseas for my double glazed windows. As the builder indicated, he's worked on many upmarket builds, these were the most well… 13 19235 2 15463 |