Over Charging

[ChimpMaster]

http://www.dilbert.com/fast/2003-11-26/

[xanadu]

As long as you have the quote documented, you should be able to take it further. Firstly, write to the solicitor with your complaint.

If you have an unsatisfactory outcome, contact the Legal Complaints Service (www.legalcomplaints.org.uk). They can take the matter further if you have evidence they can work with.

[RichardCranium]

We wanted to buy a business, so we met with this solicitor and we had a quote for £800-£1000. Which means minimum would be £800 and the maximum would be £1000. But the bill is now £1713.56. Please help...

I got a contract review done some years ago when offered a one third share in a business. My solicitor ripped me off in much the same way. I phoned them to query the bill and their flat reaction was to laugh and say "You can't sue us, we're solicitors. Pay the bill or else."

I had been with them for years: house conveyances, wills and other bits.

Bastards.

[BolshieBastard]

You needed to ask for a quote inclusive or exclusive of VAT just so you know rather than just say 'how much to.............'

Seeing as the bill is more than twice the lower 'estimate' you were given, I'd tell your solicitor you're not paying £1700 but are prepared to reach a compromise. Offer him £1000 and see what he says.

[scooby]

We wanted to buy a business, so we met with this solicitor and we had a quote for £800-£1000. Which means minimum would be £800 and the maximum would be £1000. But the bill is now £1713.56. Please help...

what does the breakdown of costs say about where the overspend occurred? get one if you havent got one...

[ASB]

We wanted to buy a business, so we met with this solicitor and we had a quote for £800-£1000. Which means minimum would be £800 and the maximum would be £1000. But the bill is now £1713.56. Please help...

Was it a quote or an estimate? In the case of the former it is binding (but I very much doubt that a solicitor would ever do that). You have a limited number of options:-

- Ask the very nicely to charge you less
- Get the bill taxed by the law society (generally a pointless exercise)
- Pay them 1k in full and final settlement and hope for the best
- Argue they breached their duty of care by not notifying you of the increasing cost

It's difficult to have a serious argument with a solicitor. Can be hard to find anybody who will act on your behalf. In any event you will almost certainly burn more cash than you have a hope of recovering.

[dezze]

Similar thing happened to me a number of times...there is always something to 'add on'...more research they had to do etc.

[blueberryfinn]

We wanted to buy a business, so we met with this solicitor and we had a quote for £800-£1000. Which means minimum would be £800 and the maximum would be £1000. But the bill is now £1713.56. Please help...