Getting a Devis from a plumber then finding the final bill twice the amount agreed

[Junlesley]

A friend of mine signed a devis from a French plumber, now the final bill has come in the amount quoted has doubled, can they do this? [:@]

[gosub]

If the plumber has not done any extras then No, a Devis is a contract when signed and accepted.

[velcorin]

The Devis ia a firm contract.

However, was there ANY work requested after the Devis was signed for there was not a separate Devis? Was there a clause in the Devis permitting an increase? Questions you need to check for yourself.

The first thing for which you are entitled to ask, is a detailed breakdown of the facture. Perhaps you will then be able to identify where the additional costs have been incurred. There is normally a reason for the increase!

[Catalpa]

June, in the past we've had an invoice which was higher than the devis. When we requested in writing details of where the installation had differed from the devis (we had not been told of or agreed anything extra) miraculously "an error" was identified by the artisan and a new invoice for the devis price was issued.

Don't be pressured into paying for something extra that you did not agree without satisfying yourself that the extra cost is justified. And possibly not even then.

[Junlesley]

 I'll pass on to my friend all your answers, thank you all for your replies.