Loft coversion asked to be paid by bacs

sean9461

I've just had a loft conversion done and they are asking to be paid by bacs

I just want to confirm wether my opinion is correct that this is extremely bad idea as I will have no protection. Specially since it is a loft conversion things such as roof cave in etc.


Is it unreasonable for me to ask to pay by credit card?

What should I do if they don't accept payment by credit card of debit card and suggest cash or bacs.

Thanks

Silver-Surfer_2

What's wrong with paying by bacs? What protection do you need if the works already been done and signed off?

EssexExile

Was the payment method not specified in the contract or set out in their terms of business? If they don't accept credit cards you can't make them.

Doozergirl

BACS is totally normal!

I don't know many people who could fund a build on their credit cards. And if they can, I also expect them to be liquid enough to fund it without them. It makes no sense, therefore, for me to provide credit card facility for people.

Fair enough, you know about section 75. On the flipside, if I need to accommodate people who need to use credit, I'm looking for a different client.

People don't seem to be able to grasp that builders are alredy extending them a line of credit. The trust is mutual, not one way.

Furts

Doozergirl wrote: »

BACS is totally normal!

I don't know many people who could fund a build on their credit cards. And if they can, I also expect them to be liquid enough to fund it without them. It makes no sense, therefore, for me to provide credit card facility for people.

Fair enough, you know about section 75. On the flipside, if I need to accommodate people who need to use credit, I'm looking for a different client.

People don't seem to be able to grasp that builders are alredy extending them a line of credit. The trust is mutual, not one way.

To add to this excellent post there are far too many consumers who think Section 75 should be their saviour. If more consumers were responsible, did due diligence, showed an interest in what they were paying for, inspected work, and sought professional advice where and when required, there would be far fewer claims on Section 75.

Going back to OP, your work should have been drawn up by a professional, you should have applied for Buildings Regulations Full plans, you should have received Inspections from the Building Inspector, you should have received a Completion Certificate, you had the right to use the services of a Clerk Of Works, or a Chartered Building surveyor, or an Architect. On top of all this you had a duty of care to yourself to be proactive, show an interest, ask questions and inspect the work you were having done.

If you are worried about a "roof cave in" you need to ask serious questions about your contribution towards this. Equally you could be like countless others who really could not care less about any of this.

theGrinch

how have you paid thus far?

Biggles

No, it wouldn't be unreasonable for you to ask whether you can pay by card. And it wouldn't be unreasonable of them if they replied they didn't didn't have the facility to take cards.

Just tell them you're paying some token amount (1p, £1) and ask them to confirm receipt so that you know you've keyed the right account details in. Then send the full amount using the same details and the job's done - you know they've got it and they've confirmed the details are accurate.

Le_Kirk

Biggles wrote: »

Just tell them you're paying some token amount (1p, £1) and ask them to confirm receipt so that you know you've keyed the right account details in. Then send the full amount using the same details and the job's done - you know they've got it and they've confirmed the details are accurate.

Very sound advice, I always do this for any new payments.

cyclonebri1

OP' you are missing the real issue, by whatever method, and bank transfer is perfect, just ensure that you pay for what you have in build or time or on site, not what the builder asks

This really should have been agreed earlier.

G_M

Not everyone accepts credit cards, an you can't make them.

BACS is as safe as cheque or debit card, bu easier.

Or pay cash if you prefer.

sean9461

Sorry for long wait been a busy couple of days

I forgot to mention this isn't a full conversion just structural flooring and they moved a few posts for now so I didn't have building control.

They had a structural engineer out who said it was possible to remove a couple of Perlins and put in extra support elsewhere.

I have the cash sitting here ready to pay. To be honest I thought it was the norm for most people to pay on card for the protection my mistake.

In this case I have read up for countless hours on what needed to be done to make sure it would be safe and what the structural engineer was saying does seem to be right.

I was just thinking for my own piece of mind if something does go wrong it's always best to pay on card.

I remember reading a Martin Lewis thing a while back where I'm sure it said to be safe always pay by card for s75