"We underestimated the job" — when a builder wants more money in North Yorkshire Council
The short answer: on a fixed quote, underestimating is the builder's commercial risk — the price is the price for the defined scope. On an estimate, extra costs need a real justification (genuine variations or genuinely unforeseen conditions) and your written sign-off. Which document you hold decides the argument.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-03
The two cases
- Fixed quote: "The quote dated [date] is a fixed price for the works described. I'm willing to pay for variations agreed in writing." The full script.
- Estimate: ask them to itemise the overrun line by line and show what changed. Genuine extras (rot they uncovered, your scope changes) are chargeable with your agreement; drift is not (quote vs estimate).
- Either way, mid-job money pressure never justifies abandonment — that's breach.
Then
Report it: the Citizens Advice consumer service passes reports to North Yorkshire Council Trading Standards — council page (verified 2026-09-04). and if it escalates: letter before action → Claims up to £10,000: small claims track.
Independent information directory — not legal advice.
Source: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/business-and-economy/trading-standards/trading-standards-advice-businesses (verified 2026-09-04).
Reviewed by Sean McNamara · 2026-09-03 · Independent information directory — not legal advice.