Pay surveyor up front, is this normal?

blueberry_pie_2

Hi all, thanks for congrats and well wishes following my previous posts on other threads :j

We've just booked a surveyor but he seems to want paying up front - I was just wondering if that's normal practice?

May well be fine, he's RICS registered/approved/whatever you call it, but added to the low quote (£425 for full building survey and value for insurance) I'm a bit put off by the fact he's indicating that we pay up front. Feel like he's gonna run off with the money assuming we wouldn't bother taking him to court for less than £500...

Hubbie has dealt with him by phone & email, he has stressed that he prefers to meet buyers and discuss findings and then follows up with the full written report by post (& email if requested) so seems genuine enough. I'm just getting a bad niggle about it.

Any advice will be gratefully received!

Debt_Free_Chick

Not unusual. Having checked him out I wouldn't be at all concerned, especially as he's RICS.

chickmug

I would be very very surprised if they did not ask for prepayment.

I have worked with a number of surveyers, over the years, and there was a time when some carried out the work then asked for payment. Then it all changed and bad debts started creeping in -- even for surveyors! Yet another example of the lack of integrity today?

blueberry_pie_2

lovely! thanks very much for fast responses - you have waylaid my fears

chickmug

blueberry_pie wrote: »

lovely! thanks very much for fast responses - you have waylaid my fears

And two good quality responses;)

The problem is these days we have all learned to trust NO one. sad isn't it?

Debt_Free_Chick

chickmug wrote: »

And two good quality responses;)

The problem is these days we have all learned to trust NO one. sad isn't it?

:T :T :T

Thanks Chick - it is difficult, but some people are still professional, honest and decent.

googler

Not unusual at all, and quite normal.