Business ProfileforMr. Handyman of Virginia Beach

I had a few tasks to be completed, and I received email that said Estimated Labor: ***** The email also included the following:

BILLABLE LABOR INCLUDES all productive labor normally associated with the agreed-upon job assignment. This labor is inclusive of, but not limited to the following:

1. Loading and unloading tools and equipment at the beginning and end of the day.
2. Planning, discussing, and/or problem-solving the work to be completed.
3. Purchasing and picking up materials.
4. Normal handling, measuring, cutting and fitting.
5. Keeping a record of time spent on the job.
6. Regular clean-up of debris and equipment due to faulty or incorrect materials.

There were no other items to count as a charge for the six items above, so the labor should have been based off of those six things.

The company did the work satisfactorily, and it took about 2.5 hours to complete. Getting an "Estimate" lead me to believe the work could be more for less than the ***** However, they charged me the full ***** So, the total labor charge worked out to ******* per hour. I think that is ridiculous. I called and complained. They said they do not bill hourly. When I asked what the difference between the "Estimate" and "Actual" Labor charge was, they couldn't tell me. It seems to me if an "estimate" is given and the "actual" labor involved is not that much, then they should -not- go by the estimate but the actual as stated in the six items included above. I think they are committing a crime by giving out misleading information.

Our office had several email and phone conversations with the customer and we were clear that the estimated labor charge was the labor charge ****** was the labor charge for the job. Right under the estimated labor and material charges on the estimate are the following two notes:

NOTE: Estimates are based solely upon the project description and initial project review (either via pictures or on-site). Estimates are normally valid for 30 days. Mr. Handyman reserves the right to modify all estimates prior to work starting based on material pricing, change in condition of the work site, or other reasons. If the estimate changes the customer will be informed prior to commencing work.

NOTE: Estimates can change upon discovery of need for more (or less) work and/or materials once the project has started. The customer will be notified of any changes for approval if the changes will result in additional costs.

Since the job scope did not change after the technician arrived, there was no basis for changing the labor price.