Legal Question in Consumer Law in Texas

Invoice Increased After Product Finished

I have been working with a video production company in New York since October to product a documentary. The initial contract was $10,000 for production of the video and shooting. I am located in Texas. I received the finished video today and they are demanding $5000 for ''additional work'' and many more hours than anticipated. However, I never asked for additional work. I continually asked for the same thing from the beginning of the project and had to re-direct them back to what we originally discussed after the first cut of the project. The second cut has turned out sufficient, though not superb. Throughout our entire conversations, this company never made a claim that this would end up costing more and now after the fact, I receive the bill. Am I protected from having to pay this?


Asked on 4/26/06, 5:02 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
TC Langford Langford Law Office

Re: Invoice Increased After Product Finished

Read your contract. The contract will define your obligations.

If there is no written contract, then each party's obligations are bound by the oral agreements made.

If there are no oral agreements, then the court will look at the equities - quantuum meriut. In its simplest terms, it means, what is fair -- that one party does not get unjustly enriched at the expense of the other.

You should at least retain an attorney for a consultation to review your situation, and give you advise about your liabilities (if any).

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Answered on 4/28/06, 7:24 am
Peter Bradie Bradie, Bradie & Bradie

Re: Invoice Increased After Product Finished

Read the contract. If no written contract, are there memoranda of an oral contract? If it's a swearing match, the courts will look to equity as to what's fair.

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Answered on 4/28/06, 8:02 pm


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