How do you pay a tradesman?

Alias_Omega

In short, having some work done on the mansion, tradesman wants payment for materials after day 1 via bank transfer.

Job is £1800, materials are £800.

Is this normal? If I offer a cheque, will they run a mile

tired_dad

Why would you not want to money transfer? Do it all the time.

Only excuse would be not having internet banking in which case I would give cash.

Cheque's are hastle. Trip to bank to deposit, clears in days etc

SailorSam

tired_dad wrote: »

Cheque's are hastle. Trip to bank to deposit, clears in days etc

The taxman will be more interested in a cheque than cash that goes straight under the bed.

duchy

They aren't asking for cash though - a bank transfer tagged J Smith building materials is perfectly acceptable and clear proof that payment was made.

Alias_Omega

Some argue that a cheque can be stopped if bob the builder goes AWOL.

Never met tradesmen, always through MyBuilder. I guess the tell tale is the job progressing as expected upon return from work.

SailorSam

I think, especially if it's only a smallish company it's pretty normal to ask for some money before the job is finished.
We're always reading about the rogue builder wanting to be paid up front then not doing the work. but no doubt some of these builders have to put up with customers who don't pay. So at the very least they want to be sure to get paid for materials.

LandyAndy

If I was paying for materials I would want them on site first.


When I had a new bathroom fitted I only paid for the materials once they were safely in my garage.

Timeflies

A money transfer is the same as giving them cash - you have no right to it back and no consumer protection. If the recipient says they haven't received it, or they cease trading, it's pretty difficult to get your money back. A cheque is easier to trace. I wouldn't pay anyone £1000 by bank transfer, unless it was immediate family!

See http://www.payyourway.org.uk/compare-payments/ for your rights with different payment types.

Doozergirl

Timeflies wrote: »

A money transfer is the same as giving them cash - you have no right to it back and no consumer protection. If the recipient says they haven't received it, or they cease trading, it's pretty difficult to get your money back. A cheque is easier to trace. I wouldn't pay anyone £1000 by bank transfer, unless it was immediate family!

See http://www.payyourway.org.uk/compare-payments/ for your rights with different payment types.

Bank transfers are perfectly easy to trace and cheque affords no consumer protection, either.

The person who is worried that they can't cancel a bank transfer but can cancel a cheque has their priorities in the wrong place.

Quite simply, don't pay people for things unless you've received the goods. If you think you might need to cancel a cheque, then you can't think you've received what you've paid for.

I've not had a client ask to pay by cheque at all. They all pay via bank transfer. I presume they'd rather us spend time doing work, not shuffling down to the bank.

DRP

Alias_Omega wrote: »

In short, having some work done on the mansion, tradesman wants payment for materials after day 1 via bank transfer.

Job is £1800, materials are £800.

Is this normal? If I offer a cheque, will they run a mile

how long is the job?

If it is a 2 or 3 day job then I wouldn't pay halfway through.

If it is several weeks then i could understand why they might want part payment.

trailingspouse

It seems reasonable to me to pay for materials ahead of time if it's a small business.

If you think there is a danger that he will cut and run, then you shouldn't be using him at all.

For big jobs, our electrician asks for a % to book the date, then a further payment on Day 1, and the balance on completion. This seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Our plumber refused to take payment for any materials up front, and was happy for us to pay for the lot on completion. I even offered to pay him weekly (the job took over a month), on the basis that he isn't running a charity, but he insisted that he didn't want anything until the job was finished. Our plasterer is the same.

I guess they all do it differently, and some are more 'business minded' than others - but the fact remains that if you don't trust them with your money then you shouldn't be trusting them in your house.

And bank transfer is perfectly normal. I would be very suspicious of anyone just wanting cash, and no-one wants the bother of cheques.