The Honeywood Files
Page 4
I enclose Messrs. Nibnose & Rasper’s account for covering the holes and pumping out water so that the bottoms could be seen. I think ￡4 5s. a moderate charge for this work.
Yours sincerely,
It is most unfortunate that Spinlove should bring solicitors on the scenes at this early stage and in such a trivial matter. With his enormous advantage in education and social standing, he should have no difficulty in coming to terms with Smith if he swallowed his humiliation, taught himself to be amused at Smith’s letter, and realized that he should not have written that to which it is a reply. It is, however, a failing of our friend Spinlove to be inordinately stiff in the neck, and, as we have already observed, his sense of humour is far to seek. If he approached Smith with diplomatic overtures designed to save his own bacon he might well fail; but if he sincerely tried to do the man justice by putting himself in his place and regarding him as a human being reacting to vanity and self-preservation in the same way as himself, the thing would probably be settled in ten minutes, leaving good feeling instead of bitterness on both sides. Whether such action is in this case worthwhile is, however, another matter. It would probably best fit Spinlove’s idea and serve his ends if he sent Smith say, ￡25, with a gesture signifying he could go to the devil, and later on charged Brash fifteen or twenty as a disbursement. That, however, is not Spinlove’s way of handling the matter. I respect Spinlove, but that does not prevent my observing him to be a devoted ass. He has no lightness of touch. He goes boring down into the dregs of every misery. We may see Brash squirming in his chair as he writes his reply, which is in autograph.
BRASH TO SPINLOVE
Dear Mr. Spinlove,30.4.24.
I consider that I have been involved in a sufficiently excessive expenditure over these wretched trial holes (the mare was shot yesterday) without being defrauded by overcharges. It is unfortunate that you did not ascertain the character of the firm before you employed them instead of after. I certainly have no intention of submitting to the extortion of these people, and if, as you intimate, their charge is preposterous—and it certainly seems outrageous to me—and, for some reason I do not understand, you are unable to negotiate with them, I apprehend my solicitors must take up the matter and I will instruct them to communicate with you. It is regrettable that at the very first outset, and in such a small matter, I should be involved in so many annoyances and vexations.
Yours truly,
SPINLOVE TO BRASH
Dear Sir Leslie Brash,2.5.24.
I am more sorry than I can say to hear of the loss of your mare and for my unlucky part in the matter. I made inquiries of the standing of Reaker and Smith for the purpose of finding out whether they were suitable people to invite to tender, as you suggested they should do. It did not occur to me, after your recommendation, that they were not to be trusted to dig the trial holes. Messrs. Russ, Topper, Mainprice, Cornish and MacFee rang up to-day—I mean the firm did—and I have made an appointment to see them with correspondence, etc., on Wednesday at 2.30.
Yours sincerely,
There is a hiatus of six weeks. Drawing-boards and T-squares have been well employed, we gather, during that time.
PREPARATION FOR TENDERS
SPINLOVE TO BEDDY & TINGE,
QUANTITY SURVEYORS
Dear Sirs,14.6.24.
As arranged with Mr. Tinge I send you contract drawings Nos. 1 to 6 inclusive, and six sheets of rough 1/2 in. and other details. I also send draft specification. The drawings have not been traced and will be completed, as usual, after the quantities are taken off. Will you please, as usual, complete specification to agree exactly with the bills. I shall be glad to see you and settle any matters not made clear.
Will you also be so good as to make a preliminary estimate of cost and let me know the figure?
I understood from Mr. Tinge that you could have the bills ready in four or five weeks’ time. Will you please confirm this?
Yours truly,
Spinlove’s arrangements are good. He has evidently “been there before.” He secures that the bills shall include for no more and no less than he intends, and that the drawings and specifications shall show or describe the position of work measured. If particular care is not taken in these matters, work may be shown in the bills the position of which is not determined in the specifications—e.g. dowels—with the result that it is not included in the building, although paid for, or, on the other hand, the architect may intend a certain class of work and the bills not cover for it. He is wise to get an estimate before the bills are prepared and to let Beddy and Tinge know that time is an object. Quantity surveyors commonly work against time, and the architect who does not make a point of date of delivery will be likely to have to wait on those who do.
The next letter has been duplicated to seven firms of builders by Spinlove.
SPINLOVE TO VARIOUS BUILDERS
Dear Sirs,14.6.24.
I shall be glad to know whether you will be willing to tender for a brick mansion, fourteen bedrooms, on a site at Thaddington, near Marlford.
In the event of your being willing to do so you may expect to receive bills of quantities and form of tender in about five weeks’ time.
Yours faithfully,
Spinlove’s object in writing thus is to secure that the firms he wishes to tender will be prepared to take up the work of pricing the bills when the time comes. If bills are sent out without such warning there is a chance that some builders may be so busy as to be unable to prepare a competitive tender within the time allotted. A builder will always send in a tender, because he feels that not to do so will prejudice his chance of being invited on a future occasion; but unless he has an opportunity of giving close attention to the business, his tender will be no serious bid and of no use to Spinlove nor to anyone else.
To save himself the trouble of arriving at a figure which will be too high for acceptance and yet presentable as a tender, he will, if opportunity serves, obtain such a figure from another builder who is making a bona fide offer.
RUSS & CO., SOLICITORS, TO SPINLOVE
Brash v. Reaker and Smith
Dear Sir,16.6.24.
Messrs. Reaker and Smith have now offered to accept the sum of twenty-seven pounds (￡27. 0. 0.) in full settlement of their account. We think the matter should be so agreed and propose to advise Sir Leslie Brash to that effect unless you have any objections to raise.
Yours faithfully,
SPINLOVE TO RUSS & CO., SOLICITORS
Brash v. Reaker & Smith
Dear Sirs,17.6.24.
In reply to your letter I cannot agree that ￡27 0. 0. is a reasonable charge for digging the trial holes. I have referred the measurements to my quantity surveyor, who estimates ￡23 10s. 0d. as an outside figure.
Yours faithfully,
Spinlove’s tenacity is worthy of a better cause. He is evidently soured against Smith and cannot endure that he should get more than strict measure.
BRASH TO SPINLOVE
Dear Mr. Spinlove,20.6.24.
I have a communication from Mr. Russ intimating that Reaker and Smith are prepared to settle for ￡27, and as I am given to understand your own estimate is ￡23 10s., I have instructed him to signify acceptance of that offer. Will you oblige me with the sketch plans? You may remember that I intimated this request some time ago and you promised to transmit them. They have not, however, so far eventuated.
Yours sincerely,
Spinlove’s reluctance to return the sketch plans is perhaps the wisdom of the once bitten. The contract drawings can only be made after the sketch plans have been approved, and the reopening of questions already settled, which ruminations over the sketch plans by the client is apt to provoke, is a disaster.
BEDDY & TINGE, QUANTITY
SURVEYORS, TO SPINLOVE
Dear Sir,20.6.24.
Drawings and specifications received and instructions noted. We cube front house at 2s. 8d., and offices and servants’ quarters at 2s. 0d. The terrace will
cost about ￡1,500. Total ￡20,140. We will endeavour to have bills ready in five weeks’ time.
Yours faithfully,
B. and T. it will be noted, waste no words. Their speciality is facts. There here follow letters from all seven builders signifying readiness to tender. Then we find:
SPINLOVE TO BRASH
Dear Sir Leslie Brash,21.6.24.
I enclose the sketch plans with apologies for not having sent them before. The drawings and specification are with the quantity surveyors and the tender forms will go out in five weeks’ time. All builders have agreed to tender.
I note that you are proposing to settle Reaker and Smith’s account for ￡27, but I should mention that my estimate of ￡23 10s. is an outside figure. My idea of the proper charge is ￡19 15s.
Yours sincerely,
What object Spinlove had in writing the last paragraph Spinlove himself could scarcely say. His grudge against Smith is probably accountable. Our James has the rattle-brained pertinacity of a blue-bottle, and his victim will feel the same wild, helpless irritation. The matter of the trial holes is well over and Spinlove should be thankful it is so. The whole history is a first-rate example, in miniature, of the way in which unlucky chances, favoured by faulty organization and lack of conscientious foresight, may lead from insignificant causes to disastrous catastrophes. If the owner’s liability in this matter had been a thousand or ten thousand pounds instead of a hundred, we may be sure the architect would not have been left scatheless.
SPINLOVE TO BEDDY & TINGE
Dear Sirs,23.6.24.
I am sorry your estimate is so high. The owner expects ￡18,500, and I am anxious not to disappoint him. I must try and knock off ￡1,500. On enclosed sheet I have made a list of suggestions to this end, and I shall be glad to go into the matter further with you.
Yours truly,
Spinlove’s wisdom in getting down to estimates before the quantities are taken off is now proved. It is a sad business to have to cut down costs after tenders are in, with attendant supplementary bills and specifications, and notes in red ink on the drawings and other elements of confusion and future misunderstanding.
BEDDY & TINGE TO SPINLOVE
Dear Sir,19.7.24.
Receive herewith copy of bills and form of tender sent to-day to seven builders as instructed. Also drawings and specifications completed with notes of modifications agreed.
Yours truly,
LADY BRASH TO SPINLOVE
Dear Mr. Spinlove,29.7.24.
I met an acquaintance to-day who told me that the kitchen window ought to be on the left side of the range for the light and architects always put it on the other side but I want mine to be on the right side. What lovely weather we are having!! Sir Leslie is fishing in Cornwall till next week.
Yours sincerely,
SPINLOVE TO LADY BRASH
Dear Lady Brash,30.7.24.
Thank you for your letter. You will be glad to know that the kitchen window does come on the right side. Yes, the weather, as you say, has been beautiful, but I am sorry to notice that it is clouding over this morning. I hope Sir Leslie will enjoy his visit to Cornwall. I know of no part of the country where I would rather spend a holiday.
Yours sincerely,
Spinlove knows how to purr loudly, but there was an ambiguity in Lady Brash’s letter which he appears to have overlooked. However, here are the tenders at last.
THE TENDERS GO WRONG
SPINLOVE TO NIBNOSE & RASPER
Dear Sirs,1.8.24.
I have to thank you for your tender for £18,221, and to say that I am prepared to recommend it for acceptance. You may expect to hear from me in a day or two.
Complete list of Tenders received is as follows:
Yours faithfully,
Omitting the first two, which are not bona fide tenders, but mere formal compliances, these tenders are a fairly close group except for the big difference of £750 between the lowest and that next it, where small differences only are to be expected. It seems that Spinlove has not realized the significance of this disparity.
The following letter is marked as having been sent to all unsuccessful firms.
SPINLOVE TO UNSUCCESSFUL BUILDERS
Dear Sir,1.8.24.
I have to thank you for your tender, but regret I am unable to recommend it for acceptance. The complete list of tenders received is as follows: [List as above.]
Yours faithfully,
Spinlove is right in notifying results to all firms as it is important to builders, for many reasons, to know at once what their obligations are. It would have been better, however, had he omitted the names of firms from the list, for as he will be likely to invite them to tender on a future occasion, he is opening the door to collusion.
SPINLOVE TO BRASH
Dear Sir Leslie Brash,1.8.24.
I opened tenders to-day, and enclose list. I am glad to feel that the result will be satisfactory to you. You will see that Nibnose & Rasper’s price is well within the figure I named. I recommend the acceptance of this tender. Twenty months is a reasonable time for carrying out the work.
I am sorry John Grigblay is not the lowest for he has a reputation for this kind of work, but I have good accounts of Nibnose & Rasper from architects for whom they have done work, and I was favourably impressed when I called at their premises one day when I was in Marlford. Have I your authority to accept their tender?
Yours sincerely,
BRASH TO SPINLOVE
Dear Mr. Spinlove,2.8.24.
I am deeply gratified at the contents of your letter intimating the result of the tenders. It is, I can assure you, a great satisfaction to Lady Brash and myself after waiting so long a period to know that the estimate is not to be exceeded. Most certainly act upon your recommendation and accept Messrs. Nibnose & Rasper’s tender, but only on the express stipulation that they complete the work within the period of sixteen months, for, as another firm undertakes to perform the erection within that limit of time, there is no excuse for Messrs Nibnose & Rasper not entering upon a similar engagement. I anticipate that there will be certain legal Contract documents for signature.
Since I am in credit on the tender in the sum of £300, I contemplate augmenting the dimensions of the reception rooms which I still consider somewhat restricted in area. I will determine these and communicate particulars in the course of a few days. The erection of the mansion will, I assume, now commence immediately.
Yours sincerely,
As it is impossible to know whether Spinlove first read this letter or the telegram that is filed next it, it is impossible to imagine his feelings on that second day of August 1924. We shall be safe, however, in giving him our sympathy.
(TELEGRAM) NIBNOSE & RASPER TO SPINLOVE
2.8.24.
Regret must withdraw tender writing Nibrasp.
NIBNOSE & RASPER TO SPINLOVE
Dear Sir,2.8.24.
We much regret we were obliged to wire to you to-day withdrawing our tender, as per enclosed confirmation. On receipt of your letter, for which we thank you, we noticed the large difference between the amount of our tender and the next lowest price, and on checking over our prices we found an error of several hundred pounds. We may say that such a thing has not happened in our experience, and was due to an irregularity in the bills. The tiler’s bill is paged 1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 4, and the clerk in collecting the castings of each page to arrive at the total did not observe the repetition of pages 2 and 3, and omitted two pages, which was not noticed in the check as they were stuck together by a blot of ink.
The correct total of our pricings is £18,953 4s. 7d., and we shall be obliged if you will substitute this figure for that entered on our tender, as the mistake arose through error in the particulars supplied to us, and although we would have corrected it had we noticed, we feel that we were led into the error which would not have occurred had the bills been correctly paged.
We shall be glad to send the bills to you or to your quantity survey
or for examination so that our statement may be checked.
Yours obediently,
Spinlove has again been unlucky, but his ill-luck is again attributable to his lack of perspicacity. He should have noted the incongruity of Nibnose & Rasper’s tender, told them that before recommending their tender the priced bills were to be sent to the quantity surveyor for examination; and said nothing of the other tenders received.
The state of affairs now is that as Nibnose & Rasper know the amount of the tender they have to beat, they can increase their bid to one very little less than the next one above. This, it appears, is what they may actually have done. Bills are usually priced out in pencil and the rates could be readily reviewed and amended to give a more judicious total. Opinions would differ on the point whether, in the matter of business, this would be a dishonest act. The old-established building firms, in which the pride and tradition of craftsmanship still linger, are, with scarcely an exception, honourable and fair-dealing; but the field of business is very much a field of battle and has its own code, and when one side surprises a weakness in the defences of the other, it can only be assumed, in the course of business, that use will be made of that advantage. This revised tender is, however, a new tender; and as it has not been delivered before the hour fixed for the receipt of tenders it is, strictly speaking, inadmissible. On the other hand, the error in the original tender arose from irregularity in the particulars supplied and “Nibrasp” is entitled to some consideration.
Spinlove, also, has notified Grigblay and others that their tenders are not accepted, and any or all of them may have other irons hot in the fire or have given the go-by to options and quotations upon which their tenders were based, and thus will be unwilling to renew their tenders except at an increased price; and as each now knows who his rivals are, all can get together and arrange a lowest tender in collusion, so that the devices to secure bona fide competitive tenders are now, in a great measure, stultified. It should be understood that this kind of collusion is not illegal.