Bathroom fitters require 100% payment at start of job!!!

newbutold

When I had my ensuite redone, I paid 50% upfront. When I had central heating fitted I paid 30% upfront.

So yes, I would expect to pay a percentage upfront to cover materials. However I would nt exect, nor would I pay the full amount upfront. I think 50% is most I'd pay.

Melaniep101

We didn't pay a penny for our bathroom refit until it was completed. Don't think I would trust them if I'd paid up front - you need to be satisfied with the job before you pay them.

evoke

OP needs to advise whether payment terms were agreed upfront or not.

When I had my bathroom done I purchased all the materials myself and agreed the labour costs with the fitter. I paid him in three instalments - 30% after a few days, another 30% after a few more days and then the remaining 40% at the end of the job. Both he and I were happy with this arrangement.

keystone

OP ran a flag up the pole last evening to see if anyone would salute it since when he/she hasn't been back. Am I suprised? - well yes if its genuine because 100% upfront payment on a two bathroom project isn't thruppence ha'penny.

Cheers

funkymonk23

Hi guys, thanks very much for the feedback and many apologies for the late response.

I've spoken to the fitters and agreed a staggered payment plan, based on milestones as the project develops. I've been on companies house and downloaded their annual accounts to assess their current financial situation. It's not great and it appears they have a degree of cashflow problems, as expected. This a shame as everything else about the company thus far has been ok and they have a great reputation locally.

This should have been agreed prior to the job commencing and all I can say is I'm learning. This is the first big job on my house I've ever done and I don't mind making mistakes as long as I learn from them and don't let them happen again! All valuable stuff.

The guys have been cracking on really well and it's already starting to take shape. I'm sure i'll be left with two lovely rooms, it's just a shame that the money side wasn't as straight forward as it could have been.

Thanks once again for the help and advice.

All the best.

keystone

Thanks for the update. Glad it worked out.

Cheers

BlueC

funkymonk23 wrote: »

My question, is this common practice in the bathroom fitting industry?

No. The only place this is common practice is if the company is on dodgy financial ground (can't pay their suppliers/tradesmen) or if they aren't confident they can finish the job or do it to the standard you'd be happy with.

I got stung to the tune of £3k by bathroom fitters using the exact same ploy and 2 years later we still have no finished bathroom. They went bust about 6 weeks after I had kicked them off site for the appalling work they'd done, and obviously no chance of getting our £3k back.

Seriously, tell them you won't pay, and if they won't do the work then just look elsewhere. There are LOADS of decent trades out there you can trust, will do a cracking job, and won't expect payment up front.

MoneyMate

phill99 wrote: »

Many tradesmen have accounts but it still doesn't mean that the customer will pay you. So customers can pay upfront for materials and you know you're not going to be shafted.

But there is no way I would ask for labour costs up front. Certainly not industry standard practice.

Totally agree unless the job will run on for many Months ? :beer:

keystone

BlueC wrote: »

Seriously, tell them you won't pay, and if they won't do the work then just look elsewhere.

You didn't read Post # 16 then?

Cheers