Money up front?

Gers

Got a quote for a new kitchen from Homebase and and am happy with the design and cost though they want the whole amount up front with installation in late November.

Is this normal - don't feel too comfortable with this as it's a lot of money and then I don't have recourse if things go wrong.

As I'm new to this game I don't know what's standard.

Thanks

Gers

No views? I'll just have to pay it all then and keep my fingers crossed.

badly_dubbed

not sure about homebase or how things go in England, but usually any trade work up here in Scotland, the work is carried out in full before any payment...the odd occasion here and there may require a charge upfront for materials etc..ive never paid for any works upfront since owning my own home.

Gers

badly_dubbed wrote: »

not sure about homebase or how things go in England, but usually any trade work up here in Scotland, the work is carried out in full before any payment...the odd occasion here and there may require a charge upfront for materials etc..ive never paid for any works upfront since owning my own home.

It is for work in Scotland - moving house back to the west coast!

Thanks - will just bite the bullet, stick some on the credit card (pay it all off in one go though) pay it all and hope for the best. The people I have been dealing with seem helpful and understanding.

Clive_Woody

It's probably worth your while speaking with an independent kitchen fitter as they will probably be able to source better quality kitchens at cheaper prices and are unlikely to ask for payment in full up front.

Homebase will most likely not use their own fitters but will take a big cut of fitting costs and ship the fitting on to another firm who will be paid poorly and therefore not exactly motivated.

keystone

Clive_Woody wrote: »

...........who will be paid poorly and very late and therefore not exactly motivated.

Fixed it for you.

Cheers

SternMusik

I've recently had a new kitchen installed by an independent local company. Payment schedule was:

- 50% of materials (i.e. units and appliances) up front as deposit (ca. 3 weeks prior to installation)
- 50% of materials on delivery (day 1 of installation)
- labour charges as the jobs were completed

There were some issues with their work (a major plastering desaster, as well as little snags) so I withheld some of the labour charge until the snags were resolved. The plastering charge was written off in the end. I would have never agreed to pay 100% up front.

comeandgo

I believe its what Homebase require - payment up front and they dont have their own fitters, they are all sub contractors. Can you pay on a credit card so you have some come back if they go bust?

Gers

comeandgo wrote: »

I believe its what Homebase require - payment up front and they dont have their own fitters, they are all sub contractors. Can you pay on a credit card so you have some come back if they go bust?

Thanks to all - yes comeandgo, I paid it yesterday with a credit card just to do the Section 75 protection thing.

:beer:

ceredigion

If you go into tescos and buy a box of cornflakes , you have to pay for them before you can eat them .
Just playing devils advocate really. But if thats their terms of business, its their prerogative . You can either take it or leave it.