Can I challenge excessive invoices from my craftsman?
October 27, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Friedhelm Krebs
Dear lawyer,
My name is Tatiana Klinger and I have a question regarding inflated invoices from my craftsman. A few weeks ago, I hired a craftsman to perform repair work in my house. He provided me with a cost estimate in advance, which was within my expectations. However, I have now received the invoice and noticed that the costs are significantly higher than originally agreed upon.
I have already addressed this issue with the craftsman, but he was unable to provide me with a sufficient explanation for the additional costs. I am concerned that he may have deliberately deceived me about the actual effort and material costs in order to generate a higher profit. I feel helpless in this situation and wonder if I can take legal action against the craftsman to challenge the inflated invoice.
Can you please tell me what legal options I have to challenge the inflated invoices from my craftsman? Are there laws or regulations that protect me as a consumer in such situations? How should I proceed to assert my rights and reclaim the inflated costs?
Thank you in advance for your support and guidance.
Sincerely,
Tatiana Klinger
Dear Mrs. Klinger,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the inflated invoices from your tradesman. It is understandable that you feel helpless in this situation and are looking for legal options to address the excessive costs.
In Germany, there are legal regulations that protect consumers from inflated invoices. In general, tradesmen are required to provide transparent and comprehensible cost estimates and to adhere to them. If the tradesman exceeds the costs, you as a consumer have the right to take action against it.
First and foremost, it is important that you formally request the tradesman to provide you with a detailed breakdown of the additional costs. Also, request receipts for material costs and labor. If the tradesman is unable to provide a sufficient explanation even after this request, you have the option to take legal steps.
In such a case, you can involve a civil law attorney who will represent your interests against the tradesman. Together with your attorney, you can assess whether it is possible to reclaim the inflated costs and potentially file for damages.
Furthermore, you can involve a consumer protection agency or an arbitration board to reach an out-of-court settlement with the tradesman. These institutions can help you reach a fair resolution and address the inflated invoices.
It is important that you carefully keep all documents and communication with the tradesman to have evidence in case of a legal dispute.
I hope this information helps you and supports you in your situation. If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Friedhelm Krebs, Attorney-at-Law
