Paying up front in cashfor new kitchen

Aylesbury_Duck

Lizstewart said:

Have just spoken with company again. He has agreed to take half money up front for goods (by debit card)  Remainder to be paid on completion of work by me directly to labourers. OR... My bill would be more (obviously to be put "through the books"  Do you think this is better protection for me????
 Really like the products I've chosen & really want this bathroom 

Walk away.  In fact, run.  He sounds like a total cowboy.

Think ahead a few weeks, when your bathroom is installed (hopefully).  You have a problem with a leaking tap, a shower tray dripping through to the living room ceiling, or worse.  Do you really think that someone who acts like this before he's even secured your business is going to deal with your problem promptly and effectively once he has your money?

pbartlett

paying this way means you are unlikely to have any redress when things go wrong other than via the courts

macman

Cash or bank transfer: no S75 protection. Retailer runs away or goes bust before install-no comeback.
Debit card: no S75 protection, chargeback is the only option if it goes wrong.
Credit card: full S75 protection: card provider is jointly liable.
Using the latter only for big ticket purchases in advance is a no-brainer. And paying 100% upfront by any means is just crazy.

greyteam1959

Don't walk away run like hell.
You are being set up.

Pollycat

How did you find this company?

Advert (Facebook maybe)?

Recommendation from friends/family?

How big is the company?

For any work I have done on my house (garden, bathroom, kitchen) I'd want a reputable company, chosen based on recommendations I trust (and hopefully with sight of the workmanship).

I wouldn't expect to pay in cash in advance for all supplies and labour.

I wouldn't expect to pay in cash at all as the tradesman is likely to be avoiding paying VAT.

bris

Depends on the price, I have seen huge price differences between companies and one man band contractors.
No one here can tell you he is a tax dodger or a cowboy, thats just a bit presumptuous because there is nothing to back it up.

The due diligence is on you, getting paid for the materials then the rest when the job is finished is perfectly normal. Giving him cash is perfectly normal too, an awful lot of tradesmen are paid this way too.

What you need to do is try and find information on this guy, recommendations, see other work he has done, just generally try and find out who he is and how good his work is.

As for VAT, who says he is VAT registered? Another assumption that no one here can back up,