Advice on disputing invoices from building companies

peachy · #1 10.12.2007, 11:43

Hi Folks,
I don’t want to give too much information or background here because it may be read by the other party.

I have a dispute relating to the quality of work and total invoice after having a parquet floor fitted.

Is there an independent body in Switzerland that can assess the quality of the work? The company asked us to arrange an inspection from these people, www.parkett-verband.ch, but they seem to me to be a building association, not really impartial.

Also can you point me in the direction of a body that will offer advice and perhaps act on our behalf during this dispute?

Tilia · #2 10.12.2007, 13:09

One way of starting may be to execute your right to withhold the legal amount (don't remember - 10%?) from the invoice until the guarantee time runs out (2 years).

I believe the best way to go is to make them come and fix the problem rather than arguing that you want to pay less. In my experience that is better received here. Otherwise you may give the impression you're just want to get out of paying what you agreed on. I had a parkett guy come in 3 times before I was happy but in the end it looked great and we paid the bill.

May I here also give a small advice to anyone planning on renovating a house or an apartment. Get a guy to be "Bauleiter" for you. Normally it is a carpenter or a Maurer who will charge 5% of all the work done by the craftsmen (not on his own work). He then organize everything, who has to come when, opens the doors etc and because he has a reputation to care for, he runs after the workers when the work isn't done correctly. I have extremely good experiences from this but of course you want to make sure the guy you use come with some recommendations. This is an excellent alternative to using an architect who normally charges 12% and on top of that wants to implement his own ideas rather than listen to yours.

	Quote:	peachy
	Hi Folks, I don’t want to give too much information or background here because it may be read by the other party. I have a dispute relating to the quality of work and total invoice after having a parquet floor fitted. Is there an independent body in Switzerland that can assess the quality of the work? The company asked us to arrange an inspection from these people, www.parkett-verband.ch, but they seem to me to be a building association, not really impartial. Also can you point me in the direction of a body that will offer advice and perhaps act on our behalf during this dispute?

peachy · #3 10.12.2007, 13:26

Hi, thanks for the advice.

The problem is that they disagree on the level of work they should do in relation to the original quote. For example we had a quote for sanding the stairs and dying to colour match. They have only, and will only, sand and dye the steps, not the whole stair case as we were verbally told they would do.

Additionally they are trying to charge us for all the material they ordered for our sub floor despite taking half of it back.

They have also charged us for additional labour, and as I visited the house daily I know that they didn't work these hours.

I wonder if I should pay for a few hours legal advice for this?

	Quote:	Tilia
	One way of starting may be to execute your right to withhold the legal amount (don't remember - 10%?) from the invoice until the guarantee time runs out (2 years). I believe the best way to go is to make them come and fix the problem rather than arguing that you want to pay less. In my experience that is better received here. Otherwise you may give the impression you're just want to get out of paying what you agreed on. I had a parkett guy come in 3 times before I was happy but in the end it looked great and we paid the bill. May I here also give a small advice to anyone planning on renovating a house or an apartment. Get a guy to be "Bauleiter" for you. Normally it is a carpenter or a Maurer who will charge 5% of all the work done by the craftsmen (not on his own work). He then organize everything, who has to come when, opens the doors etc and because he has a reputation to care for, he runs after the workers when the work isn't done correctly. I have extremely good experiences from this but of course you want to make sure the guy you use come with some recommendations. This is an excellent alternative to using an architect who normally charges 12% and on top of that wants to implement his own ideas rather than listen to yours.