50% upfront payment on decorating job

VV17

Hello all,

We need to get a house painted and all skirting boards replaced as soon as possible and found a decorator/builder (via Facebook) who could start next week. Was told that he may be possible to move a job to fit us in last minute.

Not a DIY expert and don't know enough about decorating but after meeting him, thought he was trustworthy.

Got a quote over and there isn't any sort of VAT Registration number or company number. I'm guessing he's a sole trader. The address on the invoice isn't complete - only comes with street name and post code.

The job is just under £5k (painting plus supplying all new skirting boards in the house) and we are asked to pay 50% as a deposit. I didn't think too much about it until I spoke with my husband, after seeing the quote.

The concern is 50% seemed too high. In case the person doesn't do a good job or at worst, runs away with money (as we don't even have his address), there isn't much we can do.

Is it a normal practice to ask for 50% up front? We have had tradesmen working for us before. Some don't ask for an up front, some asks for a small amount for material (like £500 on a £5k job). I'm aware that the paint is around £500 and possibly similar amount for skirting boards (this I'm guessing).

Please kindly advise if this is a bit unusual.

Thanks a lot

Knward3

We’ve just had the whole of the inside of our home decorated (including woodwork) and we just paint for materials (worked out about 20% of whole price) and the rest on completion. I’m not sure id be happy paying 50% with someone I hadn’t had in to do work before 

VV17

Thanks Knward3. That is our concern. To be honest, I was just quite glad to be able to find someone who has last minute availability and totally didn't think that 50% was high. But now thinking about it, I'm not sure about 50% either, as it is not a company.

FreeBear

Being able to start next week would raise a red flag straight away - Just about all trades are very busy at the moment, and you are often looking at three months or more before they can start.

Wanting 50% up front on a £5K job - I'd be saying "No" very firmly.... £500 will buy a lot of paint - Probably more than you would use in a lifetime.

Got £10K worth of work kicking off next week (been waiting months for them to start), and have not paid any deposit.

VV17

Thank you Freebear. Yes it does worry me that they have availability straight away... but we unfortunately are in the situation where we do need it done ASAP. 

I will have to talk to the decorator tomorrow to see if there's leeway on deposit. Thanks 

ka7e

2 of the 5 tradesmen I've found on FB have been cowboys, one was a rogue plasterer who did an appalling job (most of the money up front for "materials") and I found he was using a fake profile and pictures he sent me of previous work were copied from the internet. I've done background checks on subsequent traders and taken up references. I've always had to wait a  few weeks for availability and made staged payments, with maybe a reasonable advance for materials.

The great decorator I found has only ever asked for money upfront for materials if I wasn't already supplying them. He charges about £800 per room for all prep and painting and £1k+ for  small hall stairs and landing incl doors and woodwork.

Grenage

Being able to start immediately is a major red flag.

comeandgo

No way.  50% is far in excess of any material costs.  Have you been able to see any of this persons work, talk to any customers?  I am not convinced he is a legit tradesman due to the fact he can do it so quickly and is asking so much for deposit.

Doozergirl

comeandgo said:

No way.  50% is far in excess of any material costs.  Have you been able to see any of this persons work, talk to any customers?  I am not convinced he is a legit tradesman due to the fact he can do it so quickly and is asking so much for deposit.

This. 

It isn't just about the availability and the deposit, OP.  If someone was a skilled decorator they wouldn't be doing this.  I'm a little concerned by their willingness to replace your skirting.  That isn't a typical decorator's job either.  

Decorating isn't a case of slapping paint everywhere and you're likely to find this out if you employ someone so far displaying the hallmark traits of a cowboy, even if you don't pay a deposit and you decide to buy your own materials. 

Don't be blinded by your *need* to get things done quickly.  Is it really a need or is it a want?   

DRP

That's an absolute no from me , too.

I've never paid £2.5k up front for any job.

HampshireH

Trades are so busy right now, I can't even get a date off my carpenter!

Sounds like a chancer.