Deposits to Tradesmen

[McJones]

Hi there,

I'd be grateful for some advice as to what is usual here.

I'm going to get some work done to my home, and the tradesmen want 1/3 of the cash up-front, before they've even lifted a tool.

Is that usual? Fair?

My parents, living out of London, got some work done to their house recently. They didn't pay the builders a penny until they were 50% of the way through the job.

I'm slightly wary of parting with such a large sum of cash upfront, given the horror stories I've read on here of tradesmen walking off jobs and leaving customers light of cash, and with their homes in a state.

I'd be grateful for your thoughts.

[Whatsupchuck]

Hi there, my opinion is that I think it depends what you are having done. If it is something with a large initial out lay for the tradesman I.e. Boiler installation then i think it is fair. If not then no, payments should be made at defined points along the project agreed between the two of you.

[Jeremy]

Agreed. Cash for materials up front is OK, anything else is taking the piss!