Contractor asking for 30% deposit

baz8790

I have been having a nightmare trying to get roofer to replace my facias and do some repairs to my roof.

From people not turning up to give me a quote and now 2 different companies have been scheduled to come and do the work but haven't turned up.

The latest company said they can do the work at the end of this month or the middle of December but they are asking for a 30% deposit to be paid now.

Is such a large deposit normally required?

My main concern is that they do not turn up for s few months and I'm not able to try and find someone else as I will lose the deposit.

fezster

I wouldn't.

Offer to pay for any materials they need to get started direct, and have them delivered to your address. And offer to pay the first days wages cash.

motorguy

fezster wrote: »

I wouldn't.

Offer to pay for any materials they need to get started direct, and have them delivered to your address. And offer to pay the first days wages cash.

+1

And just to add another dimension, we'd a (reputable) double glazing company require a 30% deposit from us for the glazing, frames and external doors for our new house some years ago which we paid in good faith - then went bust.... :eek:

missile

It is a risk. I would look elsewhere :-(

Chanes

I have never paid for work up front (except massive companies like B&Q and the 0% interest deals). If they are any good they have trade accounts for materials and can fund their labour costs until completion. And when it is completed I pay in full as long as it is as promised, I haven't had any problems doing that. The roofer who replaced my entire roofline said I was the only person who had checked out his liability insurance in the years he has been working! Incredible! :eek:

stator

What type of operator are they? Limited liability?
Even if they are not crooked there is a chance they take your money and then delay, delay, delay.
So if you do decide to go with them get the start date in writing, plus agree some rights for yourself, eg if work doesn't start you get your money back.
Also pay with a credit card if you chose to do so.
If they want the deposit in cash walk away quickly.

baz8790

Thanks I'm going to try another company.

The terms state that the deposit can only be paid in cash or bank transfer. Would of felt a bit safer if it would of been a credit card payment.

tonyh66

baz8790 wrote: »

Thanks I'm going to try another company.

The terms state that the deposit can only be paid in cash or bank transfer. Would of felt a bit safer if it would of been a credit card payment.

sound like a bunch of cowboys, you made a good call.

benten69

Payment upon satisfactory completion of the work. Not a penny before hand. It's how I work with all my contractors. Materials and the likes….well I simply say Audi don't ask me to pay for the steel before building a car, so I'm not paying for their materials before they start working.

Don't like it? I'll find someone else. Been using the same builder for 18 years and NEVER, EVER been asked to pay up front or as per dates. Even when he sent a joiner my way, they wanted 50% half way through, I said nope, full payment upon completion. Told him the builder could vouch that I ALWAYS pay on time, every time as long as the work is completed properly.

He came, did the work as agreed and was paid in full at the end with no quibbles. It's how I do business. He was happy with that, I was happy with the work. Happy all round.

Mr_Poves

I'm sorry to have to disagree with you all , but from my point of view being a small business (sole trader) -
It really rings an alarm bell for me when someone refuses to pay a deposit , and I infact walk away from their business .
I've been let down a good few times after ordering goods in that are bespoke to the individual job .
I'm in the flooring game so it's slightly different , but generally I think it's quite unfair to expect someone to order goods and book days in a diary without any sort of retainer .
The amount of people who think nothing of cancelling the night before or on the actual morning of a job is unreal .
I've had one job cancelled because someone has undercut me by a tenner !

Mr_Poves

benten69 - "Audi don't ask me to pay for the steel before building a car"

Really ? How many dealerships are going to order you a car in without a deposit ?