contract-law england-and-wales
Limits on contract work without pre-agreed price/contract (UK)
<p>Say you hire someone, such as an electrician or plumber, without price even being mentioned by either party. The contractor later bills you: you're taken aback by the price. Maybe the expected rate is £100 and you get charged £1000. More fool you, right? Fair enough.</p>

<p>But is there any practical limit in English law? £1,000,000, your house? Is there any reasonableness limit in law?</p>

<p>Yes, there is a reasonableness limit, and this is especially true in consumer transactions. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If you were given an estimate and the final bill is a lot more than 
  what you were expecting, you can dispute it.</p>
  
  <p>The final price should be ‘reasonable’. The law doesn’t say what
  counts as reasonable, so you’ll have to agree it between you. You
  should consider:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>the estimate you agreed to [if there was one]</li>
  <li>any changes, and why they happened</li>
  <li>anything that happened that was beyond the control of the trader, 
  like bad weather or the cost of materials going up</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/problem-with-home-improvements/" rel="noreferrer">https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/problem-with-home-improvements/</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>When it comes to work itself, the act states that a tradesman or
  professional has a 'duty of care' towards you and your property. Any
  standard or price you agree must be honoured. But if it isn't agreed
  in advance the work must be done to a reasonable standard, at a
  reasonable cost, and within a reasonable time.</p>
  
  <p>So if you haven't fixed a price, you don't have to pay a ridiculously
  high bill. All you have to pay is what you consider 'reasonable' and
  invite them to sue you for the rest. Be careful though, in some
  circumstances when you are withholding payment you may have a claim
  made against you by a supplier if you are in breach of contract.
  <strong>What's a reasonable amount would be what similar tradesmen would have
  charged for the job.</strong> So get a few quotations.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1fdlwC9xzyxjCpWMlsCGG3j/supply-of-services" rel="noreferrer">https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1fdlwC9xzyxjCpWMlsCGG3j/supply-of-services</a></p>

<p>NB that article refers to The Supply of Goods &amp; Services Act 1982, which was partially superseded by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. </p>
