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Deposit for landscaping work

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HI - we have been asked for a 50% deposit for landscaping work, start date in October, which would amount to £7,500 (total project £15,000).  I'm very reluctant to give this sort of money to any company 6 months upfront. They say it is to secure the date and for materials, which I get, but they wont be buying any materials for this project just yet surely. I have been given no contract or terms and conditions, just a quote for the work.  I'm loathe to question them about it as I dont want them to turn round and cancel the job. They were number 15 in the list of companies we have tried to get to quote since January and only the second quote we have received. It's been a nightmare trying to get anyone to even visit, let alone quote. I'm happy to pay an amount to secure the date and the rest of the deposit closer to the time for materials, but not sure whether to suggest this in case I upset them. Any thoughts?

Comments

  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 7,565 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Don't.
    I know what it's like. I'm 8th on my list of plumbers and got one quote, all were saying October. Took me several goes over a year to get someone to get the paths relaid.
    I've never come across someone wanting half the cost of an expensive project up front. Certainly not 6mts ahead. There's something wrong with their busness if they need that sort of money upfront.
    I'm surprised that you can't get a reputable builders busness to quote for a job that size. Is there some problem with it?


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  • Ian1961
    Ian1961 Posts: 95 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Posts
    As Twopenny says, don't give any money over until there's a spade in the ground, and then a mutually agreed amount. You should also ask for a written quote on the companies headed paper.
  • comeandgo
    comeandgo Posts: 5,930 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Absolutely no way.  Surely you can find someone with better terms or can you leave the work until next year?  
  • -taff
    -taff Posts: 15,347 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    You don't want to upset them? If I truly liked their work, if they are a genuine longstanding business, I might give them a couple of hundred to do the work. However, if you already know what you want done, work out the cost of buying materials yourself  [no VAT added by someone else who has bought them for you and as prices of bulding supplies are increasing due to demand, more chance of saving some money early], draw your design for whatever it and just employ a company to do the leg work.
    If you think they're going to turn round and cancel the the job if you just ask them about it, then what's to stop them turning round and cancelling the job after you've given them 7k of your own money?
    Never never never give chunks of cash to any firm unless they've actually done some work for you, or you are buying the materials.
    Non me fac calcitrare tuum culi
  • greyteam1959
    greyteam1959 Posts: 4,710 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Don't don't don't

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