# Decision Brief — Sauna Room Invoice

**Raised:** 21 Jul 2026  
**Requires:** Ellen's decision before any payment is made

---

## The issue

Duncan has invoiced £19,600 for the sauna room phase. The contract shows this phase quoted at £18,500 as a single line item. The invoice splits the same scope across two lines and arrives £1,100 higher than quoted — with no explanation.

**Do not pay.**

---

## Cost context

| | Amount |
|---|---|
| Quoted | £18,500 |
| Invoiced | £19,600 |
| Discrepancy | **£1,100** |

---

## Your options

**Option A — Query before paying**  
Ask Duncan to clarify whether the £1,100 reflects an agreed variation or an error. Hold payment until he responds.

**Option B — Accept and pay**  
Pay the full £19,600. Closes the matter but sets a precedent and reduces contingency with no variation record.

---

## Draft query to Duncan (ready to send on your approval)

> Hi Duncan,
>
> Thank you for the sauna room invoice — glad to hear that phase is complete.
>
> I want to check one thing before we process payment. The contract has the sauna room as a single line item at £18,500. The invoice splits this into materials (£11,400) and labour (£8,200), coming to £19,600 — a difference of £1,100 from the quoted figure.
>
> Could you let me know whether this reflects an agreed variation or whether there's been a pricing error?
>
> Ellen
