Paying big deposit to plumber

BrownGirl

Hi, my elderly parents are wanting to replace their bath with a shower as they're finding it difficult to get in and out of the bath now.  We've got a estimate from a plumber which they're happy with.  We have the plumber's address and landline number and he has many good reviews online.  He provided an itemised written quote and will provide an invoice for us to pay.  We liked him when we met him - he was pleasant and seemed to know what he was doing. 

To secure the booking he wants us to pay a deposit of 20% of the labour costs plus the cost of the materials.  All materials are off-the-shelf and from a catalogue he provided.  The work isn't due to start until end of Jan at the earliest (he's fitting them in between other bigger jobs so it could be later than this).

I'm a bit wary about paying so much upfront - I can understand asking for a small deposit to secure the booking but am not comfortable paying for the cost of the materials now which he won't be ordering for quite a while yet.  It's been a while since we last used a tradesman though so I'm not sure if this is the norm now.  Should we be concerned about the size of the deposit or does it sound okay?

Thanks 

pramsay13

What's your other option?

BrownGirl

pramsay13 said:

What's your other option?

Our other option would be to get some more quotes and go with someone else.  However there's no point us doing that if it is usual to be asked to pay for materials so far in advance, which is what I am hoping to find out.  Thanks 

AskAsk

how much is the deposit?  you could buy the shower yourself then he won't need a deposit.  plumbers don't tend to ask for a deposit for labour, so it would only be for the shower.  there are lots of places that sell showers, so you could just buy the shower yourselves rather than from his catalogue.

online reviews can be fake, i have had plumbers with more than 100 good reviews from mybuilder site, and they were terrible.  if you can get recommendations from someone that would be better.

comeandgo

I would look for another plumber.  To ask for such a lot as a deposit suggests he is cash poor and using your money to fund the project he is working on just now.  If he is cash poor he is in danger of going under.  If you still consider using him see if you can pay by credit card for extra protection.  
I would not look at you buying in materials as it could cause problems if the shower leaks or has any flaw.  You then have to deal with the supplier and your fitter who can blame each other for the fault and you go round in circles with them.  If supply and fit contract then only one person to deal with.

AskAsk

comeandgo said:

I would look for another plumber.  To ask for such a lot as a deposit suggests he is cash poor and using your money to fund the project he is working on just now.  If he is cash poor he is in danger of going under.  If you still consider using him see if you can pay by credit card for extra protection.  
I would not look at you buying in materials as it could cause problems if the shower leaks or has any flaw.  You then have to deal with the supplier and your fitter who can blame each other for the fault and you go round in circles with them.  If supply and fit contract then only one person to deal with.

from my experience, the OP would be hard pushed to find a plumber that won't need money upfront for the shower unless that was less than £100.  replacing a bath tub with a walk in shower, which i assume what the OP is doing, is going to need a lot of money up front for the shower.

he wouldn't want to buy the shower then the OP changes her mind and don't do the job or get someone else to do the job.  there are people like this out there so trades people learn to ask for a deposit.

Mickey666

I’ve employed lots of tradesmen over a few decades and have never paid anything up-front.  In fact, I can’t remember even being asked or money up-front, so in my experience it’s certainly not usual.  I had a plumber make some radiator changes a couple of weeks ago - not only did he not require any money up-front, he didn’t want paying on the day and hasn’t yet sent me his invoice.  I’m guessing it will arrive this week as he sorts out his end of month billing.

‘Proper’ tradesmen also shouldn’t need money up front to buy materials as they will have a credit account with their suppliers.  Even I have a Jewson account and don’t need to pay for anything for between 4-8 weeks, and I’m just a DIYer.

BrownGirl

Thanks for the replies - they're really helpful. 

I'm happy to pay for the materials when he orders them but they are standard items from a catalogue so it's unlikely he'll be ordering them until much closer to the installation date which is end of Jan at the earliest.  It just felt too soon for him to be asking for payment for them now.

He is asking for just over a grand for the materials and £230 deposit for labour (20% of total labour costs) to make the booking. 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

I'm happy to pay for materials when they land on site, 20% of labour now for a job in Jan with the current situation, seems risky to me. 

£1200 is a lot of money for most to lose.

AskAsk

BrownGirl said:

Thanks for the replies - they're really helpful. 

I'm happy to pay for the materials when he orders them but they are standard items from a catalogue so it's unlikely he'll be ordering them until much closer to the installation date which is end of Jan at the earliest.  It just felt too soon for him to be asking for payment for them now.

He is asking for just over a grand for the materials and £230 deposit for labour (20% of total labour costs) to make the booking. 

you could say that you will order the materials yourself nearer the time if he gives you the merchant details.  get the goods delivered to you.

then pay him when he finish as he shouldn't be asking for a deposit for labour, especially if he is doing it between jobs and he can't start until end of January.  we could all be dead by then from covid 19!

Risteard

AskAsk said:

you could say that you will order the materials yourself nearer the time if he gives you the merchant details.

That is an excellent way of ensuring that you have no comeback over faulty goods in relation to the labour costs involved. Truly awful advice.