startledtreefan

I'll see what he comes back with. But from my perspective that does seem reasonable. Cheers. Off to read the rest of the forums now : )

Thanks. Twice the estimate doesn't seem reasonable to me. Was thinking along the line of a twenty percent update in what he estimated me. On the basis that at a ten percent tolerance (standard practice in IT projects) he should have let me know there was a problem. Double that on the basis of measure of good will.

If the estimate has doubled and the facts haven't changed nor the scope has changed then surely the estimate was incorrect ?

(i) No. (ii) Yes. : )

Thanks I've done just that. Lesson learned on the estimate versus quote.

Done both new survey and AMS and is charging double estimate for the new AMS.

History is - the plot had previously been given planning approval and a survey and AMS was done then. I've put in a new application and the council asked for a new survey and AMS.

I was hoping I could get a view from the professionals please. I engaged an arborist to do a AMS for a new build. I gave him a link to the planning application, the tree survey that was done previously (plus he also did a tree survey for me) and the e-mail request from the council re drainage, parking etc. I don't think I could have been any more explicit in his terms of reference. He estimated 4 hours and has invoiced me for 8. Nothing was different to what he was clearly asked to do....There was a lot of e-mail back and forth with the architect about a CAD file. I couldn't open the file myself to see what the issue was - but to be honest he came off as difficult, bordering on rude and on some points was just wrong. Also the place we have drawn the services was in an RPA so he said to move it three metres. So the architect gave him a new diagram. Basically it seems like on the basis of the two points above he is justifying the double of the estimate. What do you think ? Is it reasonable to invoice double ? Would you invoice a customer for twice what the estimate was ? Should I just stump it up ? Is he just a chancer ?. I'm struggling to know what the right thing to do is. I can't see how his estimate can be so wildly off and he didn't deliver anything other than what I asked him to..