Prices quoted - should VAT be included?

[Homer]

We recently had our patio and driveway steam cleamed.

We were quoted a price for doing the job and when my wife went to pay, she was told that 13.5% VAT was payable in addition. She paid the additional amount, but I'm left feeling that we were misled when the price was quoted and I think I might have pushed back a bit more if it had been me paying the bill.

Is there an accepted standard practice in this regard? Or is it a case of caveat emptor and you need to always ask whether or not the price quoted includes VAT?

They did a good job, but I would be reluctant to recommend them because of how the pricing was handled.

 

[Leo]

My understanding is VAT should always be included unless the person being quoted is VAT registered.

Did they provide a VAT invoice?

 

[Staples]

AFAIK, the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act requires that prices for goods or services to consumers (as defined by the Act) should be quoted inclusive of VAT. consumers would be regarded as those buying goods, etc for personal utility.

The act does not apply to business customers who may therefore be quoted for goods and services ex VAT.

Bottom line, you should have been quoted a VAT inclusive price unless you were acting in a business capacity.

 

[Homer]

Thanks for the replies. My wife is out this evening, but I'll ask her about it when she gets home.

On a separate but related matter (and way too late to be asking), what is a reasonable price to pay for having a cobblelock drive and patio steam cleaned and re-sanded? Total area probably around 70 sq m.