Thanks so much for all the good advice, I really appreciate it so much. I
haven't made the final(second half) of my payment yet, and will try to get
an adjustment on the bill from the kitchen place. Also, isn't it best to
wait to make a final payment until all work is completed? The trim isn't
installed yet for a new, larger window I had installed in my kitchen and the
guy from the kitchen place said he will collect all the remainder that I owe
except for that fee from me on Monday. Do you think I can tell them to wait
until all the work on the contract is completed,since they may take longer
to do it without that incentive? Thanks, again for your advice. Sis
"Vox Humana" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Sis" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I just had granite countertops and a sink installed and a plumber came
in
> to
> > put in the pipes under the sink. I had signed a contract with a kitchen
> > place that estimated it would take the plumber 4 hrs. at 72.00/hr.,but
it
> > took him one hr. The kitchen guy said(when I signed the contract), that
an
> > adjustment would be made if it took less time. Today he said he had to
add
> > travel time for the plumber. My question is: is this a usual thing? I
hope
> > some kind person will share their knowledge with me on this. Thanks so
> much!
> > Sis
>
> Some trades people charge "portal-to-portal." Still, I think this is
> unusual unless you live in some remote area that would require an extended
> trip. Did they charge you for three hours travel time? What is the
> reasonable travel time from the plumber's place of business to your home?
> You can always call the plumber (of have someone else call) and ask if
they
> charge by the job or by the hour and if they charge for travel time.
>
> You have learned a hard lesson as I have. Never accept a verbal promise.
> You can always make a handwritten notation on a contract, date it, and
have
> all parties initial it. If they are true to their word they will have no
> problem with this. If you think you have been ripped off and haven't paid
> the balance of the bill, then pay for the hour that you actually received
> and ask for an itemized bill for the travel time. I would pay a
reasonable
> amount for travel. You can always drive from your home to the plumber's
> shop at the same time of day that he did to estimate a reasonable travel
> time. If you have already paid then you are probably screwed. You could
> always file a claim in small claims court and try to get a judgment. This
> usually costs under $50. If the company you are suing is a corporation
they
> will probably have to be represented by an attorney. You can always try
to
> have the plumber subpoenaed to testify. The loss of time and
inconvenience
> for the contractor and the plumber may be enough to settle the matter.
>
>