"Chris Birkett" wrote in message
ps.com...
My dad recently had a guy in to repair the chimney, and he quoted a
specific amount for a basic repair. After he started working on it, it
became obvious the chimney needed much more extensive repairs, and he
gave my dad a new quote, which they agreed on. My dad was in the US
for most of the time the repairs were being done, and the guy has now
given him a bill that's $1100 higher than the quote, saying he had to
do "extra work" and my dad wasn't available to discuss it (though my
mother was here the whole time). He also hasn't done a couple of minor
jobs he agreed to do at the same time.

As far as I can tell, he doesn't have a leg to stand on since he gave
us a quote, but I just wanted to check with other people. I'm located
in Ontario, by the way.

Chris

Asking here makes about as much sense as asking us "Do you think it will
rain tomorrow?"

It all depends on where you live.

USUALLY, though, contracts go something like this. One party offers to do
work for a set amount of money. In the proposal, a good contractor says
what work they will do and how much they will charge.

If the work varies, the contractor MUST consult with the owner and discuss
what changes from the original plan are to be made. They then agree on a
CHANGE ORDER and they then do the same thing again. Describe the work and
set a price. Then they both sign it.

Arbitrarily changing prices doesn't fly in most places, whether it's chimney
work or car repairs. At least most jurisdictions have enacted laws that
prevent an owner from being held hostage by repairpeople.

Check with the contractor who did the work.

HE IS A CONTRACTOR, RIGHT?

If not, you may have recourse in your jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions,
you may just have to eat it. In mine, contracting is a felony. AND the law
defines contracting also to include merely offering to do the work, even
though no work was ever started or completed.

Check where you live, and not on the Internet.

BTW, do you think I will get rain tomorrow?

Silly question, isn't it?

Steve