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Thread ID: 132251	2013-05-12 02:37:00	Commercial version of CGA in NZ -- Responding to an overpriced trade services invoice	Chilling_Silence (9)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1340828	2013-05-13 04:10:00	"Is the contractor a "cowboy" or is he a member of Certified / Master Builders Association ??? If he is a member, it may be worth contacting the Association and ask them what they think ... they don't like their members "ripping people off". If you haven't paid the account yet, don't ... think the C/M BA may help with quoting of work completed, especially if it's one of their own members. " If you wish to challenge the account, you must get a credible quote as to a fair price, I would think a Church would have a reasonable chance of sweet talking the Master Builders association into assisting in that area, after all they have a vested interest in unmasking cowboys, and keeping their members honest. As a first step, you could measure the job yourselves, measure the length of long run iron and the number of sheets, measure the length of the ridge, and measure the lengths of any flashings, and note the shape, then price those materials. Carry out an inspection of the underside and ascertain whether there were any repairs to or replacement of trusses or purlins, if so measure the materials and cost the materials, take photos of the work. You are now in a better position to have a professional estimate the hours to carry out the work. A few enquiries could ascertain what is the normal charge out rate for hours. Materials costed at retail will provide a good safety margin, because you can be reasonably sure your "contractor" didn't pay retail. All this work is necessary if you are going to tackle the guy in the small Claims Court, that is assuming the fair cost of the job, is inside their upper limit. May I also suggest you contact "Fair Go" at TVNZ, they could be interested in the story. Good luck, don't just roll over a pay up.	KenESmith (6287)
1340829	2013-05-13 04:12:00	"Is the contractor a "cowboy" or is he a member of Certified / Master Builders Association ??? If he is a member, it may be worth contacting the Association and ask them what they think ... they don't like their members "ripping people off". If you haven't paid the account yet, don't ... think the C/M BA may help with quoting of work completed, especially if it's one of their own members. " If you wish to challenge the account, you must get a credible quote as to a fair price, I would think a Church would have a reasonable chance of sweet talking the Master Builders association into assisting in that area, after all they have a vested interest in unmasking cowboys, and keeping their members honest. As a first step, you could measure the job yourselves, measure the length of long run iron and the number of sheets, measure the length of the ridge, and measure the lengths of any flashings, and note the shape, then price those materials. Carry out an inspection of the underside and ascertain whether there were any repairs to or replacement of trusses or purlins, if so measure the materials and cost the materials, take photos of the work. You are now in a better position to have a professional estimate the hours to carry out the work. A few enquiries could ascertain what is the normal charge out rate for hours. Materials costed at retail will provide a good safety margin, because you can be reasonably sure your "contractor" didn't pay retail. All this work is necessary if you are going to tackle the guy in the small Claims Court, that is assuming the fair cost of the job, is inside their upper limit. May I also suggest you contact "Fair Go" at TVNZ, they could be interested in the story. Good luck, don't just roll over a pay up.	KenESmith (6287)
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