Do I have to pay the bill of a craftsman if the work was of poor quality?
March 13, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Hans Krüger
Dear lawyer,
I am contacting you because I recently worked with a craftsman and I am dissatisfied with the work performed. The craftsman carried out repair work on my house, but defects occurred shortly after the work was completed. These defects affect the functionality of the repairs and I am concerned that they could have long-term consequences for my property.
The craftsman has now sent me a bill for the services rendered and demands payment. However, I am wondering if I am obligated to pay the bill if the work was faulty. I am worried that I may have to pay for inadequate work and also bear the costs of fixing the defects.
Can you please inform me if I am legally obligated to pay the craftsman's bill even though the work was faulty? Are there any possible legal steps I can take to clarify the situation and protect my interests? I would greatly appreciate it if you could assist me in this matter.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Edith Rapp
Dear Mrs. Rapp,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the inadequate repair work carried out by a craftsman at your house. I am sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with the services provided and are concerned about potential long-term consequences for your property. It is important that you know your rights as a consumer and how to proceed in such a situation.
In principle, as a customer, you are not obligated to pay for unsatisfactory services. As the client, you have the right to receive flawless and contract-compliant services. If the repair work does not meet the agreed standards and shows defects, you can refuse to pay the invoice. It is advisable to inform the craftsman in writing about the identified defects and give him a reasonable deadline for rectification.
If the craftsman does not rectify the defects within the set deadline or refuses to make improvements, you have various legal options available to protect your interests. For example, you can hire another craftsman to rectify the defects and invoice the original craftsman for the incurred costs. Additionally, you can claim damages and, if necessary, take legal steps such as reducing the fee or rescinding the contract.
In such a situation, it is advisable to seek legal advice to enforce your rights and avoid escalating the conflict. A lawyer can assist you in defending your rights and reaching an out-of-court settlement with the craftsman. Furthermore, they can inform you about your legal options and help you enforce your claims.
I hope that my explanations are helpful to you and that you find a solution to your problem. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Hans Krüger, Attorney at Law
