Workman wants part payment in advance. Is this standard!?

phill99

Leif wrote: »

Obviously you need a proper receipt, do NOT pay cash unless it is a tiny amount, and make sure the person/company are registered with companies house, Gas Safe, or whatever is relevant.

There are many tradesmen that act as sole proprietors and therefore won't be registered with companies house.

tco03

Its fair to ask for payment to cover materials etc as if an arsey customer drops out they arent left in a pickle.

People go on about rogue traders but there are also rogue customers so its not unreasonable for a workman to want to cover his own back too.

Leif

phill99 wrote: »

There are many tradesmen that act as sole proprietors and therefore won't be registered with companies house.

Which is why I said "or whatever is relevant". Basically make sure they are what they claim to be.

vaio

keystone wrote: »

You are correct but what OP needs is an invoice for the part payment before handing over anything and with an invoice means of payment becomes irreleveant.

Cheers

Invoices and cheque or cash payment mean nothing if the bloke is a crook.

Pay him by credit card if possible then you have s75 protection and the credit card company are liable if it all goes pear shaped

prowla

I once paid a workman half on the understanding they would return next day to finish the job and get the other half, and I never saw them again.

missile

I have been stung before and would be very reluctant to pay a tradesman in advance. Many companies ask for a deposit and sometimes you have no alternative. For example Magnet demand 100% before they will start work :eek:.
Do remeber it is an interest free loan and if the company is tardy in carrying out the work or goes broke you are unlikely to get any money back.

On the other side of the coin, I know many tradesmen have great difficulty in receiving prompt payment after work is completed. For a large job, stage payments might be a satisfactory compromise.

AdamJK_2

There's no clear answer to this one as I'm sure you're aware by now.

It's very much a judgement call on your part as to the faith you're willing to put in the tradesman to get the job done. In the past I have happily shelled out 40% upfron - but the gent in question was well known in the area and had many years of good work under his belt (was just having a rough time due to the downturn).

On the other hand I've had tradesmen who I wasn't 100% about so I agreed to cover cost of materials to site only - settling the invoice directly with the merchant for materials. The tradesman was happy and I was happy - work was completed on time and to budget and the tradesman was paid on time.

The only thing I would point out is don't go messing the tradesman around with payment once agreed - if they've asked for and agreed a payment schedule with you, then you should adhere to it fully. You wouldn't be happy if someone short-changed you for the work you'd completed.