New Boiler; Payment upfront for materials?

bigbloke45

My son needs a new boiler and has got a good quote from a "check a trade" firm.

They are asking for a payment upfront for materials.

Is this normal nowadays?

They are called "Amber Heating Ltd t/a Swift Gas" based in Weybridge, Surrey.

Any ideas gratefully accepted.

jalexa

bigbloke45 wrote: »

They are asking for a payment upfront for materials.

A "solvent" supplier should have a monthly trade account.

However I want to make a different point. You can learn very little from looking at the bottom line price on a single quote. For example boiler price, specification and quality varies. The detail of the workscope might vary.

Get more than one quote. Possibly even one from a big supplier (prepare to be shocked):D. Don't just look at the bottom line price.

Pincher

bigbloke45 wrote: »

They are called "Amber Heating Ltd t/a Swift Gas" based in Weybridge, Surrey.

At least check their Gas Safe Registration.

Alternatively, try:

http://www.ciphe.org.uk/Consumers/Registered-Heating-Professional/

SYNERGY

bigbloke45 wrote: »

My son needs a new boiler and has got a good quote from a "check a trade" firm.

They are asking for a payment upfront for materials.

Is this normal nowadays?

They are called "Amber Heating Ltd t/a Swift Gas" based in Weybridge, Surrey.

Any ideas gratefully accepted.

They are asking for a payment upfront for materials.

Some small companies do this, usually nothing to worry about.

However to make all things equal, draw up a simple agreement between your son and the plumbers, where the cost and payment for materials is stipulated, the labour charges are given with the rider that 25%, or more if you wish, of the labour charges will be withheld until completed to a satisfactory level.

If all's above board and they are a decent company they shouldn't object.

Failing that ask them for an itemised purchasing list ( presuming you have been quoted a full and final price for materials ) and buy your own.

You may be able to save a bob or two.

eeeeeee

on a domestic boiler/job installation i ask for 30% upfront and provide a full reciept of what has been bought fro the money ; then state that payment needs too be made in full on completion by visa or by cash no cheques ; got into a situation last year where i bought pipe fittings boiler and 11 radiators and the !!!!!! ran out of money for his house renovation ; this was mainly due too buying himself a new car b4 he paid me 2 months down the line i removed everything that had been fitted ; i lost my time and money ;he hadnt paid the electrician nor the plasterer nor the plumber

SYNERGY

eeeeeee wrote: »

on a domestic boiler/job installation i ask for 30% upfront and provide a full reciept of what has been bought fro the money ; then state that payment needs too be made in full on completion by visa or by cash no cheques ; got into a situation last year where i bought pipe fittings boiler and 11 radiators and the !!!!!! ran out of money for his house renovation ; this was mainly due too buying himself a new car b4 he paid me 2 months down the line i removed everything that had been fitted ; i lost my time and money ;he hadnt paid the electrician nor the plasterer nor the plumber

Double the work, but at least you got your materials back.

However it doesn't put food on your table does it ?

vax2002

What .LTD means to the customer :
If they go broke, you loose every penny you have given them with no legal redress that will get your money back.
Find a company that will "contract" the work, this is where a contract is drawn up and payment is made upon completion of works.
He may have to pay a bit more but it is a sure sign of a confident company.

spiro

I have numerous friends who are the building trades and most are one man bands or small comapnies. Given the high cost of materials and the risk of not getting paid most of them request 'materials money' upfront which tallies with the quote they have provided. If a person or firm has been recommend and ask for this type of payment I for one would not be worried about paying it especially as you can stipulate the materials are delivered to your address.

eeeeeee

too be honest i usually take the deposit go str8 too the merchants then back too the customer with the boiler and the rads ; i keep the copper pipe in my tube roof box and the fittings in my van ; that way the customer can see ime not ripping them off ; ive also taken customers too the merchants and let them pay directly for the stuff too ease their minds in this sort of situation