ᐅ Invoice for landscaping contractor is becoming increasingly expensive
Created on: 9 May 2025 16:30
F
Florian1104
Hello everyone,
We bought a house last year and completely renovated it. The outdoor areas were also supposed to be redesigned (new paving stones + garage). Therefore, in September last year, we hired a landscaping contractor to remove the existing paving, demolish a wall and a gate, excavate for new paving, create a gravel base layer for a garage, and of course, to install the new paving.
We received a quote amounting to 35,000 Euros (€). This was without any discounts and intended to be submitted to the bank for financing (the bank insisted on seeing quotes to confirm the loan amount). Later, we were offered the same scope of work in writing for 25,000 Euros, which we accepted.
The work started in September, but it became clear that the soil was not sufficiently load-bearing. I was verbally informed that the costs for excavation and disposal would increase significantly. Initially, I was told verbally about an extra charge of 5,000 Euros, and then a few days later, this was raised to 10,000 Euros. I approved the 10,000 Euros, so the total cost was expected to rise to 35,000 Euros.
The excavation work and the first deliveries of recycled crushed stone (RCL) for the gravel base layer for the garage were completed in September.
For this, we paid an interim invoice of 9,500 Euros and an additional 8,800 Euros for container services (machine rental, RCL, disposal of excavation material, etc.). We also gave 750 Euros in cash as a deposit for an excavator bucket to the landscaping contractor. In total, we have paid almost 19,000 Euros so far.
Unfortunately, the building permit / planning permission for the garage was delayed until the end of the year, so the garage work only started in 2025 and was completed by the end of April.
Now, when I contacted the landscaping contractor to arrange the next steps, they announced that the following outstanding costs remain after completing the work:
- 5,000 Euros gross
- 10,000 Euros net
- Crane for material delivery (1,700 Euros including tax)
- 3–4 containers of RCL (approx. 1,050 Euros)
In total, they are now requesting 7,750 Euros gross and 10,000 Euros net. Combined with the 19,000 Euros already paid, this would bring the total to 36,750 Euros. However, the 10,000 Euros net plus tax amounts to at least 11,900 Euros gross. To be honest, we know what the contractor means by the net price, and the invoiced amount is usually much higher 😉
So, in total, we are looking at at least 38,650 Euros gross, which is almost 4,000 Euros more than already expected.
When I asked how the price could increase again, they justified it by saying that, based on 300 estimated remaining hours, labor costs alone would amount to 13,500 Euros excluding tax. However, I was originally offered a price per square meter and never agreed to switch to an hourly rate. Additionally, the crane was never planned initially and is now charged for material delivery.
Now to my question:
What options do I have here? Do I have to accept the additional costs? Can the landscaping contractor keep increasing the price without limit?
Thank you very much in advance 🙂
We bought a house last year and completely renovated it. The outdoor areas were also supposed to be redesigned (new paving stones + garage). Therefore, in September last year, we hired a landscaping contractor to remove the existing paving, demolish a wall and a gate, excavate for new paving, create a gravel base layer for a garage, and of course, to install the new paving.
We received a quote amounting to 35,000 Euros (€). This was without any discounts and intended to be submitted to the bank for financing (the bank insisted on seeing quotes to confirm the loan amount). Later, we were offered the same scope of work in writing for 25,000 Euros, which we accepted.
The work started in September, but it became clear that the soil was not sufficiently load-bearing. I was verbally informed that the costs for excavation and disposal would increase significantly. Initially, I was told verbally about an extra charge of 5,000 Euros, and then a few days later, this was raised to 10,000 Euros. I approved the 10,000 Euros, so the total cost was expected to rise to 35,000 Euros.
The excavation work and the first deliveries of recycled crushed stone (RCL) for the gravel base layer for the garage were completed in September.
For this, we paid an interim invoice of 9,500 Euros and an additional 8,800 Euros for container services (machine rental, RCL, disposal of excavation material, etc.). We also gave 750 Euros in cash as a deposit for an excavator bucket to the landscaping contractor. In total, we have paid almost 19,000 Euros so far.
Unfortunately, the building permit / planning permission for the garage was delayed until the end of the year, so the garage work only started in 2025 and was completed by the end of April.
Now, when I contacted the landscaping contractor to arrange the next steps, they announced that the following outstanding costs remain after completing the work:
- 5,000 Euros gross
- 10,000 Euros net
- Crane for material delivery (1,700 Euros including tax)
- 3–4 containers of RCL (approx. 1,050 Euros)
In total, they are now requesting 7,750 Euros gross and 10,000 Euros net. Combined with the 19,000 Euros already paid, this would bring the total to 36,750 Euros. However, the 10,000 Euros net plus tax amounts to at least 11,900 Euros gross. To be honest, we know what the contractor means by the net price, and the invoiced amount is usually much higher 😉
So, in total, we are looking at at least 38,650 Euros gross, which is almost 4,000 Euros more than already expected.
When I asked how the price could increase again, they justified it by saying that, based on 300 estimated remaining hours, labor costs alone would amount to 13,500 Euros excluding tax. However, I was originally offered a price per square meter and never agreed to switch to an hourly rate. Additionally, the crane was never planned initially and is now charged for material delivery.
Now to my question:
What options do I have here? Do I have to accept the additional costs? Can the landscaping contractor keep increasing the price without limit?
Thank you very much in advance 🙂
H
HilfeHilfe12 May 2025 07:06wiltshire schrieb:
Nasty trick.
Send him a neutral email stating that you accept the price quoted and understand which part is net and which is gross. Also ask about the schedule.
After the work is completed and the agreed amount paid, you can insist on an invoice—referring to the email—and then pay the 19% VAT on top. This email creates a documented record that, if left unchallenged in writing, carries significant legal weight. Even better if the landscaping contractor gives you dates without discussing the financial details—this is a common reflex. This way you avoid paying undeclared work. Net price is not undeclared work. The landscaper will have problems if he tries to add business costs and his tax burden on top. I guarantee you that the 10,000 net will suddenly become 15,000 net because he can’t keep the original price.
W
wiltshire12 May 2025 08:40HilfeHilfe schrieb:
I guarantee you that the 10k net will suddenly become 15k net because he can no longer maintain the price. I also assume he will try that, especially since billing 15k properly will likely not leave him with 10k net. With the email documentation, the original poster now has something concrete. The landscaper will have to justify the 15k first. Therefore: have the work carried out first and then request a final invoice for the remaining amount—referencing what was agreed upon—the email counts unless it is contested.
F
Florian110414 May 2025 09:55@Joedreck
That’s also my understanding. However, from my own experience, I can tell you that at least 95% of the craftsmen I’ve worked with didn’t care about this, especially when requesting a quote verbally.
I almost always had to ask, "net or gross?" Of course, the contractor doesn’t have to calculate the tax down to the cent, but a brief “total X plus tax” would be enough for me.
That’s also my understanding. However, from my own experience, I can tell you that at least 95% of the craftsmen I’ve worked with didn’t care about this, especially when requesting a quote verbally.
I almost always had to ask, "net or gross?" Of course, the contractor doesn’t have to calculate the tax down to the cent, but a brief “total X plus tax” would be enough for me.
F
Florian110416 May 2025 20:29Hello everyone,
a brief update:
The meeting took place yesterday and was basically constructive.
He wanted to recalculate once more so we could come to an agreement.
This now resulted in a gross amount of 27,000 euros (after 20,000 euros have already been paid!). We would then land at a total of 47,000 euros.
Net, we would now be at 19,000 euros. So with the advance payment, at 39,000 euros.
I’m slowly getting the feeling that someone miscalculated and is now trying to push us out of the contract…
a brief update:
The meeting took place yesterday and was basically constructive.
He wanted to recalculate once more so we could come to an agreement.
This now resulted in a gross amount of 27,000 euros (after 20,000 euros have already been paid!). We would then land at a total of 47,000 euros.
Net, we would now be at 19,000 euros. So with the advance payment, at 39,000 euros.
I’m slowly getting the feeling that someone miscalculated and is now trying to push us out of the contract…
Florian1104 schrieb:
I’m starting to feel like someone miscalculated and is now trying to squeeze us out of the contract…That’s exactly the feeling I had as well, especially since this company had already done something similar in another trade. If they had actually been right, they probably would have enforced it, but in the end, it was just an unsuccessful attempt to involve a collections agency. In our case, however, the amount suddenly increased to several times the original sum.