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sharonlisataylor

I took my campervan to have some rust repairs above the front windscreen carried out for its WOF. We also asked for a front rain gutter to be fixed so it could drain better and for some hard to open/close doors to be sorted.
We got given an estimate of $2000 which were happy with. The repairs took longer than expected (a month) and I started getting worried so asked what was going on. They said rust was worse than expected. I asked how much this was going to cost and when it would be ready several times and got told they didn't know price wise and expected dates kept not being met. We got the vehicle back on Friday and the bill was twice what the estimate had been. The reason for that is they said they had had to do rust repairs in other areas which we had not asked for (they replaced all 4 rain gutters). I told them they should have contacted me about this before the extra work was done as we would not have had this work done at this time even though it may have been needed (it could have waited). They also did not do one of the jobs we asked (one of the doors which was needed). We have also just noticed that the windscreen they took out for the repairs is leaking (they told us this had been a problem so they got the windscreen people back and had it redone) but it is still leaking.
What can we do. The van in now in the South Island for a year (and we are in the North) so can't take it back to this bodyshop. I have paid the bill in full. Can I ask for money back for the unauthorised work and to get someone else to stop the windscreen leaking? Thanks

Anon

An estimate is roughly how much the tradesperson or professional thinks the job will cost. They must use their skill and experience to make the estimate, which must be based on reasonable grounds. The actual price may be more or less, but as a general guide it shouldn’t be too much more – a good rule of thumb is that it should be within 10 to 15 percent.

The CGA states that you must agree to extra work before a tradesperson or service provider carries it out. Find out how much the extra work will cost before you agree.

I have attached a example from the CGA

Car repairs

Jenny hears a faint noise in her car engine that is new. She takes the car to her local garage and asks them to give her an estimate for any work that needs doing. The mechanic inspects the engine and advises Jenny that she needs a new automatic transmission. He estimates the cost of repairs will be about $2,000. Jenny agrees to the work being done. When she picks up the car, she gets a bill closer to $3,000. Jenny queries the bill and finds out the mechanic did not include some of the repairs in the original estimate. She disputes the bill as it is vastly different to his estimate. If they can’t agree on a revised bill, she will have to pay the bill without prejudice and dispute the amount in the Disputes Tribunal.

If you have an issue with the repair you must give the company an opportunity to remedy the fault, if they are unable to or refuse to repair the leak you could have the van repaired elsewhere and dispute the company for the cost of the required repairs.

sharonlisataylor

Thanks for that. Who are CGA?

hasbea

Consumer Guarantees Act