Job £5000 ... Builder wants £1500 deposit ??

Deals_2

many people take advantage of him over the years. they end up saying they dont have the money etc!!! i am looking forward to that programme on tuesdays at 8pm which also shows i believe what customers are like!!! there are so many people out there who are taking advantage. i would not dream of doing this myself and could not sleep at night if i did!!! the idea of materials being paid direct is also a good point as keeps the builders turnover low too before he has to register for VAT! but usually a third is the normal. depends how big the job is too.
also if the builder is buying directly the materials himself he can check their quality as sometimes the wrong things can get delivered and the products are not always up to scratch. it is also his time checking them over.

pickle wrote: »

If you're worried and the builder says it's for materials, why not pay the shop direct and ask the builder for a receipt and invoice to say it's for the job. If it is truly for the job then they shouldn't object?

Canucklehead

Deals wrote: »

the idea of materials being paid direct is also a good point as keeps the builders turnover low too before he has to register for VAT! but usually a third is the normal. depends how big the job is too.
also if the builder is buying directly the materials himself he can check their quality as sometimes the wrong things can get delivered and the products are not always up to scratch. it is also his time checking them over.

Good morning: I agree and would also point out if the client supplies defective or inappropriate materials eg. boiler, bathroom fittings then the client will bear the cost in terms of the tradeperson's time and will also be the one to deal with the boiler manufacturer, for example, if the appliance is faulty. If you go down the labour only route, ensure you discuss the job's requirements with your tradesperson and source the materials well in advance for delivery before the project commences.

HTH

Canucklehead

Li0nhead

I work for a small building firm myself and we dont ask for anything upfront but we have subcontracted to several builders in recent years who do get an amount upfront (i assume for start-up costs and to pay the likes of us weekly).

As a rule of thumb id say if its someone thats not been reccommended dont part with the money up front, if its a reccommendation and they did that with the ones who are reccomending them then be willing to part with the money.

As for cowboy customers, my boss is a good judge of people and if he thinks something is up with a customer he will simply not work for them and i would advise any customer to do the same in reverse. I.e if you half think somethings a bit funny with someone dont get them in to do the work.

Oh one more thing: Never never never use the yellow pages for anything other than getting an idea of price.

Canucklehead

Li0nhead wrote: »

As for cowboy customers, my boss is a good judge of people and if he thinks something is up with a customer he will simply not work for them

Good evening: Would you expect a MP to be a rogue customer? See baldelectrician's thread :bottom line is...you can't always tell if a client will stiff you.

Canucklehead

Noel80

g4fne wrote: »

Its alright these TV shows telling us not to part with money up front but if 3 out of 3 builders i contact all dictate i do ... what can one do .

Don't believe what you see on TV

I understand your concern. When/if you give him the money put something in writing too and get him to sign it. Then keep the note. No one should object to that.

Deals_2

finally. also i know someone has mentioned in a small building firm but then again there are people who are very good and have started a small business. what is the big deal of giving them some money to get started? i think it is ok to be careful with parting with your money but being tied is something else.

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good evening: Would you expect a MP to be a rogue customer? See baldelectrician's thread :bottom line is...you can't always tell if a client will stiff you.

Canucklehead

EliteHeat

mr_magoo wrote: »

No way would I pay upfront to any builder, especially small/medium works like this. If he’s got a good rep then he would have the cash to do the job and bill you after anyway.

I would not, under any circumstances, start work for someone I did not know who had not signed an order form and paid the required deposit. If they balk at paying this then the chances of them making full and final payment are slim IMHO.

Considering most builders are scratching for work atm I would ask for additional quotes from others and be blunt no cash upfront, sorry. Stage payments in arrears are O.K. because they have a reason to come back and finish. Remember you’re the one with the cash and they want it!

Thank you for proving the point I made on a previous post regarding rogue householders trying to hold tradesmen to ransom.

baldelectrician

I also require deposit up front.

I usually have to refuse other work to fit a job in, so there is a financial loss when people cancel at the last minute, or delay start of a job.

People have to see it from both sides.

How would they like it if they turned up at their work on a Monday morning and were told they were not required this week, and then told they would not be paid for the week.

Puts a different light on things.

Clive_Woody

Interesting thread this one.

Customers are very wary of paying a deposit up front to traders.

Traders are very wary of customers who won't pay a deposit up front.


Perhaps some sort of middle man to hold the funds would be an idea (I appreciate this doesn't get around the issue of the trader needing cash for materials upfront).

Builder

Looks like the builders should have ;)free trial period;)