Contractor asking for 30% deposit

tonyh66

I would trust a trader that didn't ask for a deposit more than one who did, simple reason a trader with your deposit doesn't have to turn up on time or can delay, he still has your money.
If a trader want work he can turn up quote for the job and discuss payment then I still would not pay him until the work has been done or there is a contract in place.

Mr_Poves

tonyh66 wrote: »

I would trust a trader that didn't ask for a deposit more than one who did, simple reason a trader with your deposit doesn't have to turn up on time or can delay, he still has your money.
If a trader want work he can turn up quote for the job and discuss payment then I still would not pay him until the work has been done or there is a contract in place.

I wouldn't trust a customer that didn't place a deposit more than one who did , simple reason a customer who's paid no deposit doesn't have to stick to the agreement you have as he has paid no money .
If a customer want's work done he can pay a bloody deposit for the job and settle the remaining payment on completion , then I still would not book his job on until the deposit has been paid and there is a contract in place.

See how easy that is to turn around ?
Seems to me there's alot of distrust towards tradesmen and contractors around these here parts ...ooops going all cowboy there ... sorry .

keith969

Mr_Poves wrote: »

I think the general concensus from the tradespeople commenting is a deposit upfront is a requirement

From a handful of people is hardly a consensus. I've had many jobs done over the last 30 years and very, very few have required any sort of payment up front. if there is a good reason, and if I am comfortable that I have a contract with comeback if something goes pear shaped then I would consider it. But there are far too many people who suddenly lose interest in resolving outstanding problems as soon as they have been paid. As someone said, trust goes both ways; by insisting you want a deposit you're saying you don't trust me, why should I trust you?

I've just had two jobs done, both for over £1000 and both requiring a couple of days work each and one required ordering something custom made for the job. Neither required a deposit. Both got paid on the day of completion, one in cash (his request, not mine). Both I would be happy to give a good reference for and as local traders would get repeat business.

Mr_Poves wrote: »

You actually have employment law to protect you keith if you don't get a wage at the end of the month , unfortunately we don't

You're making a sweeping statement without knowing anything about me there. Without going into detail I can tell you that taking on a company that has failed to pay you according to contract can be very difficult, if not impossible, for an individual. No different from you trying to take action against a non-paying customer.

Mr_Poves wrote: »

It must be people like you I don't do any jobs for .

Possibly, because you wouldn't have been chosen in the first place.

tonyh66

Mr_Poves wrote: »

I wouldn't trust a customer that didn't place a deposit more than one who did , simple reason a customer who's paid no deposit doesn't have to stick to the agreement you have as he has paid no money .
If a customer want's work done he can pay a bloody deposit for the job and settle the remaining payment on completion , then I still would not book his job on until the deposit has been paid and there is a contract in place.

See how easy that is to turn around ?
Seems to me there's alot of distrust towards tradesmen and contractors around these here parts ...ooops going all cowboy there ... sorry .

you must have plenty work on if you can refuse jobs because the customer doesn't want to pay you for doing nowt, simple as it is you do the work you get paid.
Its the only control the customer has over the trader, if your paid before working who is to say you will turn up, or do a good job when you do turn up.

Doozergirl

tonyh66 wrote: »

you must have plenty work on if you can refuse jobs because the customer doesn't want to pay you for doing nowt, simple as it is you do the work you get paid.
Its the only control the customer has over the trader, if your paid before working who is to say you will turn up, or do a good job when you do turn up.

I think that's Mr Poves' point. It is busy. There are plenty of people on these boards saying they can't get people to even come out, let alone quote. It may come as a bit of a shock that they aren't sitting twiddling thumbs; tradesperson can pick who they want to work for!

And the people no-one wants to work for are the ones that assume that tradespeople work only for money. Bizarrely, even though they don't ask for it, there are people who could be paid 100% of a job and still turn up and do it properly. *The incentive is personal pride and integrity*

Most work is referral so people are likely to know previous customers who will have paid a deposit anyway. If Mr Poves can keep himself in work and take a deposit from people then who is anyone to criticise?

C_Mababejive

My dentist asks his patients to pre pay for appointments. Is he also a cowboy? I shall be ditching him.

Chanes

I can understand why someone would want money up front but I wouldn't pay until the job is done - I would be happy to give the numbers and names of the contractors who have worked on my properties to prove I pay promptly though if it made a trade feel more comfortable about pay on completion. They could have a chat about the quality of tea I make too.

Mr_Poves

Doozergirl wrote: »

I think that's Mr Poves' point. It is busy. There are plenty of people on these boards saying they can't get people to even come out, let alone quote. It may come as a bit of a shock that they aren't sitting twiddling thumbs; tradesperson can pick who they want to work for!

And the people no-one wants to work for are the ones that assume that tradespeople work only for money. Bizarrely, even though they don't ask for it, there are people who could be paid 100% of a job and still turn up and do it properly. *The incentive is personal pride and integrity*

Most work is referral so people are likely to know previous customers who will have paid a deposit anyway. If Mr Poves can keep himself in work and take a deposit from people then who is anyone to criticise?

I think this is one we will never win , I'm actually doing a job tomorrow that has been paid in full for over a month .
And I'm picking a key up to work unsupervised ..........:A
I think you have got a point Doozergirl , most people around here look down on us as some lower species who should be grateful for their business .
Well it works both ways , I always put my heart and soul into every job I do , and for that my customers are always grateful I'm sure .

Mr_Poves

tonyh66 wrote: »

you must have plenty work on if you can refuse jobs because the customer doesn't want to pay you for doing nowt, simple as it is you do the work you get paid.
Its the only control the customer has over the trader, if your paid before working who is to say you will turn up, or do a good job when you do turn up.

But that's the point you miss , it's not " doing nowt " as you put it .