we had decking done in our backyard by our daughters

I have the receipt for the airfare to bali, and the gifts brought for him for our daughter. He was always busy so would phone my wife and ask her to buy the gifts. The brick pavers valued at about $1500. we were going to sell, but gave them to him for his new house. The cash he has acknowledged receiving although he did not give a receipt.

There was no actual agreement. Anytime we offered money or asked for an invoice for the weeks after the decking was done he said it was all ok and to put some money towards what our daughter owed us (we paid for her to join her sister in europe for 3 months) Our daughter was living with him when he broke off the relationship of 2 years.

(he went to work one day and left a letter for her breaking up - top bloke!)

there was never any discussion of costs as we paid for the wood, nails, sand, etc all materials, made lunch every day for his 2 workers and provided drinks after every day.

he is now asking $25. an hour for work done.

we did calculate what we paid out - and its more than he is now invoicing us for - so he would owe us. He does not acknowledge the brick pavers or any of the things we paid for. Can he now invoice us after all this time and expect to be paid?

My wife stupidly replied to a facebook message saying we could pay him off monthly. He is using that as an admission of debt. Is that possible?

The fb message was in response to a facebook email he sent to my wife asking for money for the deck.

total given to him;

cash 2000.00 - gifts paid for on his request $784.00 -

Brick pavers 3000 @ 1.30 each $3900.00 - 4 bar stools $400.00

thats a total of $7084.00

His workmen ruined our back lawn - it had to be ripped up and replaced at our expense($1000.00)

Also the double front doors his pit bull dog ruined he was to replace ($1800.00)

we have done all that you have suggested. The brick pavers were ours - we were going to sell them, but gave them to him for doing the decking. He has already told us he has printed out what my wife said on facebook.

I was thinking maybe a counter claim for what we gave him - sent from a lwyer would be a better way to go. I just needed to know if it was worth seeking a lawyer to do this for us.

thank you for your help.

I have noticed the payment has already been deducted out of my paypal visa account, even though the website states it will not be deducted until I click on the accept answer button. This is indeed very disappointing as I believed I had a choice.