Deposit for boiler installation

[Deleted User]

My boiler was recently found to be beyond economic repair. The insurance I have covers me for a new replacement boiler and I pay for installation.

The insurance company referred me to its installer and a home survey was done and I'm happy with the recommended boiler and the installation costs detailed in the written quote provided.

I contacted the installer yesterday to confirm a date for the job to be done in two weeks time.

The installer confirmed the date but wants to take a 50% deposit. 

My initial reaction is that seems a large proportion of the costs to pay before any work is done.

I would be grateful for any advice about whether I should offer a smaller amount, say 10% and the balance when the job is completed.

Also, am I right to ask to be invoiced for the deposit and terms for that and the final payment to be set out fully in writing as I am not prepared to just give my bank details over the phone to allow them to take payment? 

Thank you.

Soot2006

It's unusual, but I guess since it's not your choice of installer it is what it is. Yes, I would want everything in writing with exact payment expectations before sending cash!

macman

If you are paying for the install, then you can surely choose any installer you wish?
The boiler is maybe 50% of the total cost of the install, so it would depend how the installer is getting paid. If he has to finance the purchase of the boiler and then claim it back from the insurer, and knows that they will take maybe 90 days to pay, then he is looking to get some of the costs covered from the start.
It's unusual, but not unknown.

Rosa_Damascena

This I think is irregular.

Perhaps you would like to speak to your insurance company to see if this is the prescribed process?

greyteam1959

Pay the deposit on a credit card then you have some protection.

David713

greyteam1959 said:

Pay the deposit on a credit card then you have some protection.

An awful lot of tradespeople who accept card payments do so via a third party payment transfer service which in many cases means that you lose any S75 protection.
I recently had some major plumbing work carried out and although the plumber accepted credit cards, this payment went via a company called "Payacardservices" and I confirmed with Mastercard that this broke the payment chain as far as S75 was concerned.

silvercar

Ask the insurer to pay the installer direct.

Alfrescodave

silvercar said:

Ask the insurer to pay the installer direct.

Why? The OP has already said that the insurance only covers the replacement boiler

Ectophile

I recently had some major plumbing work carried out and although the plumber accepted credit cards, this payment went via a company called "Payacardservices" and I confirmed with Mastercard that this broke the payment chain as far as S75 was concerned.

Sometimes banks lie to their customers to try to get out of their obligations under Section 75.