Deposit To set a fitting Date?

handyandyman

Hello Out there, I am a new to the forum experience but have been following Martin's advice for years. Now I am wondering if you could help me? I am a small business owner in the yorkshire area, I manufacture & install kitchens and bedrooms. Firstly I would be happy to help anyone with a quotation and work questions but my question is this. What is the general feeling about paying a deposit of say £250 to book a fitting date on say a £8000 bespoke kitchen? at the moment I don't take any money until I actually start building the customers kitchen about 4 weeks before the fitting date but reciently I have had people change there mind at last minuite and with no deposit there is no commitment? But I am a big believer in trust between me and the customer and do not want to change this. What is the feelling amongst fellow money savers?

sparky883

I would always take a deposit,Customers in this day and age have no hesitation in cancelling for whatever reason they choose to say,Leaving the tradesmen out of pocket!! You need to state on all of your related paperwork "deposits are non refundable" I have now done this after a run in with the local trading standards.
I would advise only a small deposit needs to be taken as you are not meant to make money on cancellations just cover your costs,For the record Our company never used to take money upfront-But it is the few "rouge customers" who spoil it for the rest.

Bishop_Basher

Get a deposit matey.
I know what you mean by trusting each other, but in this day and age some people/punters can't be trusted.

Your time must be covered up front, if they change their minds then you haven't been running about for nowt!

andyhop

Since i had my website done i included terms and conditions which clearly state the deposit

I too have had a few too many customers with little respect for my time

DCS

I run a building and carpentry firm in worcestershire and take a 30% deposit on all jobs above £500. Never even had a customer bat an eye to this!
The way I look at: If a deposit is a problem then the final bill will be a bigger one!

Meepster

I used to use this arrangement:

10% paid up front
80% when commencing installation
10% paid when everythings complete

thechippy

DCS wrote: »

I run a building and carpentry firm in worcestershire and take a 30% deposit on all jobs above £500. Never even had a customer bat an eye to this!
The way I look at: If a deposit is a problem then the final bill will be a bigger one!

Absolutely....;)

SomeBozo

Hmm

I have never made any payment up front to anyone at all! Even when I had my house built!

Bozo

CKdesigner

Always take a deposit with no exception. I have never heard of a kitchen retailer not taking a deposit. I would say 25% to confirm the order then 65% cleared funds prior to any delivery then 10% on completion. Customers should understand that you are making something especially for them if a deposit puts them off purchasing from you then you are better off without them!

Homestyle_Improvements

mmm this is interesting, i have only ever taken 1 deposit before & i only did due to the size of the job & some products needed paying pro forma & i didnt want to be stuck with them if the customer had a change of heart.

I have always worked on the trust side of things but this has got me thinking

dwarvenassassin

If taking money is what is worrying you, get them to sign some form of agreement/contract, then you can always take legal preceedings to recover any losses.