Paying tradesmen upfront

houghton91

Hi all,

I’ve found a local joiner who specialises in custom plantation blinds, and the detailed quote he’s given me for the blinds I’m fairly happy with. 

My question is around payment - he says once he’s been round and finalised the measurements and details with me he’ll require payment up front as he needs to order them (around £2k) but installation can be paid for on completion. 

Is this standard? If so, are there any protections for me if god forbid he ended up vanishing on me or anything? We’ve not needed anyone for a job of this size before so just wanted to check the safest way to proceed. 

Thanks! 

grumbler

timmins91 said:

...are there any protections for me if god forbid he ended up vanishing on me or anything?

Pay directly to the manufacturer and get them delivered to your address.
If he isn't happy with this, then the actual cost is less then what he said and he wanted to make some profit on this.

comeandgo

grumbler said:

timmins91 said:

...are there any protections for me if god forbid he ended up vanishing on me or anything?

Pay directly to the manufacturer and get them delivered to your address.
If he isn't happy with this, then the actual cost is less then what he said and he wanted to make some profit on this.

I would not do this as you can then have problems if you have faulty items, the supplier could blame the fitting, the joiner could blame the materials and you are stuck in the middle.  I would never pay up front for any materials, a decent business has the credit facilities with their suppliers.  If you have to use this joiner see if he will accept payment or part payment by credit card.  

houghton91

grumbler said:

timmins91 said:

...are there any protections for me if god forbid he ended up vanishing on me or anything?

Pay directly to the manufacturer and get them delivered to your address.
If he isn't happy with this, then the actual cost is less then what he said and he wanted to make some profit on this.

Thank you - this is a very good suggestion. I’m unsure if he’s actually ordering them or making them himself, so I’ll ask if I can either pay the manufacturer directly or pay for materials possibly? 

I’d be happy to pay say a 20% deposit but otherwise it’s a lot of money to put up front to an individual. 

sonyarita

I had a bad experience where I paid a tradesman upfront  for materials. Never again. They might not be motivated to do the job once they have the cash. For peace of mind I would just do as pp said and order from supplier yourself.

Doozergirl

It's not 'materials' in this case, it's a custom made product, completely useless for anyone else.  

It doesn't surprise me at all.  It's also not dirty for someone to make a profit when they're running a business. 

Do your due diligence.  Reviews, personal references, proper invoice with a full address before you consider paying.  

houghton91

Doozergirl said:

It's not 'materials' in this case, it's a custom made product, completely useless for anyone else.  

It doesn't surprise me at all.  It's also not dirty for someone to make a profit when they're running a business. 

Do your due diligence.  Reviews, personal references, proper invoice with a full address before you consider paying.  

Fully happy for him to make a profit of course, he's the one doing the work! He's newly set up so I can't find any reviews - I could ask for references though.

I'll see what he sends over next week re:invoicing and next steps - I'd be surprised if I'm the only one to question sending over £2k to a stranger with no reviews or paper trail.

pollypenny

We've just had windows fitted by an individual tradesman rather than a company. We paid a 20% deposit while they were being made. 

TELLIT01

Pay by credit card to get the added protection if things go wrong.

daivid

timmins91 said:

He's newly set up...
..I'd be surprised if I'm the only one to question sending over £2k to a stranger with no reviews or paper trail.

Every tradesman/woman has to start somewhere be they good or bad. But I would be looking for someone else. Up to you if you want to risk £2k with little more than gut feeling to base it on.

southcoastrgi

He doesn't know you so wants the money for the goods either to pay his supplier or for his time, trust works both ways, what happens if he finishes your job & you don't pay him ?

Go to Curry's & buy a washing machine, you pay for it then & there & get it delivered in a few days or a few weeks, try buying something off of Amazon without paying for it 1st