Help! Tradesman has asked for deposit.

ashli_2

I am in the process of buying a house that needs a fair bit of work doing on a very tight budget, so I've been scouting my local forums for recommendations.

One man has had quite a lot of people recommending his work, and he has agreed a very good price for some work, the only problem is that he has asked for 35% deposit to book him in for June (nearly £300).

I have never heard of tradesmen asking for a cash deposit up front before, and my instincts say not on your nelly, but I am not very experienced so I would like to know what you think

misgrace

I think you will probably find that is normal, as he would have to buy materials, and not only that I would imagine if you cancelled the job then he would be off work as he has turned other clients down.

This has happened to me, where I have booked people in months in advance, and a week before I am due to start thier job, they have cancelled, and I have lost out, as I have turned others away to do thier job, and unless there is someone waiting in the wings hoping for a cancellation, then we are out of pocket.

Depending on how much work is involved, and how much materials they will use, it is the usual for a builder to get something up front, then you can pay him a bit halfway thru the job for example, and then the balance when he is finished.

moonrakerz

If you have heard good things about this man, I wouldn't worry. Some people do ask for something up front, especially if they have to buy materials for the job first.

35% is reasonable, I would never pay more than 50% up front.

nelly_2

ashli wrote: »

I have never heard of tradesmen asking for a cash deposit up front before, and my instincts say not on your nelly, but I am not very experienced so I would like to know what you think

Im a tradesman and also called nelly

and I never ask for a deposit

ashli_2

Thanks for your replies.


What checks can I do to make sure he is reputable, before I part with my hard earned cash!

nelly_2

Ask him whos hes working for today and their phone number.

If he complains... simply say - "would you buy a car without checking it first?"

moonrakerz

nelly wrote: »

Im a tradesman and also called nelly

and I never ask for a deposit

I think this is a two way street as well.

The customer is justified in not paying the whole amount up front.
Equally the supplier, if he is supplying a lot of expensive products (new kitchen ?) doesn't want to lay out the whole cost and hope the customer will pay up at the end of the work.

Woby_Tide

I guess it does depend on the trade, we paid a deposit to a kitchen fitter as they had to buy the stuff in advance, an electician/plasterer you don't as there is minimal up front layout for them, though they take on the burden of you cancelling. If only plumbers paid you a deposit as a guarantee they would turn up!

numberonemummy

My hubby is kitchen / bathroom fitter,
afer having suffered from cancellations, meaning not having work for that week etc, he started taking deposits to 'book him in' that week.

he takes 20% to hold his services for the job on the start date given to him by the customer

once he starts he charges another 20% (cash or cheque), which leaves 60% due on customer satisfaction at end of job. This is especially useful in kitchens where there is usually something missing or a worktop not ordered by the customer, so it would mean he wouldnt get the 60% until mfi/b&q/ikea finally got round to delivering the missing bits (upto 8 weeks later)

imagine having worked 2 weeks, to have to wait for 100% of your money !

if you pay by cheque you have proof, also ask for a signed receipt, stating deposit taken for .......to start on .........

iceicebaby

I have never heard of a tradesman who doesnt want an deposit to be honest.

BillScarab

ashli wrote: »

What checks can I do to make sure he is reputable, before I part with my hard earned cash!

In your first post you said

"One man has had quite a lot of people recommending his work".

People are unlikely to be recommending him if they're not happy with his work.

Could you contact one of the people who has recommended him to see if you could go and look at what he did for them?