Electricians want full payment upfront

demontfort

I recently accepted a quote for installing some new lights and sockets. Although the quote was quite pricey, I was happy to proceed as it's a large well known local electricians, been around for 50 years, proper business premises, does a lot of commercial work etc. However when chasing them up for a start date, I was told that they need full payment in advance. Now having read the smallprint on the pdf quote that they sent, I have read that I have to complete and sign the order form and it notes that payment is to be made in full upon order.

Is this normal for electricians? I've never paid tradesmen upfront for any work and in this case there aren't any materials for them to buy. I'm not concerned that they'll scam me but I am concerned that they will drag their feet on when they can do the work given that they are not very responsive on email and I had to chase them on the quote.

serpico100

Watt? That’s shocking. I wouldn’t let them anywhere near my ohm.

If they have no materials to buy there is absolutely no reason in the world to give them any payment for their labour up front. 

marcia_

 I wouldn't pay upfront I'd be looking for further quotes 

EssexExile

Pricy quote, dragging their feet, unresponsive, odd payment terms - it's almost like they don't want the job.

oldernonethewiser

You could agree a payment plan with them but all upfront, no way.

demontfort

Thanks for all your replies, it confirms what I was planning to do which was to go elsewhere. Agreed it seems a lot of trades wound here don't want the work unless they know you or it's a very easy profitable job. Bring on the recession I say to make some of these businesses a little less picky.

TELLIT01

Deposit possibly, but not full payment in advance.  Stage payment during the work.

Risteard

serpico100 said:

Watt? That’s shocking. I wouldn’t let them anywhere near my ohm.

If they have no materials to buy there is absolutely no reason in the world to give them any payment for their labour up front. 

Not entirely true. There needs to be commitment before dates for work are set aside. 25% deposit would be quite normal.

demontfort

I would have been happy to pay a small deposit but this is one day's work to fit a few sockets and lights. It's unreasonable to expect full payment upfront as then I bear 100% of the risk, especially as they were vague about a start date. As others have pointed out this firm probably weren't too interested in doing the work, welcome to the glorious UK in 2023.

ashe

Risteard said:

serpico100 said:

Watt? That’s shocking. I wouldn’t let them anywhere near my ohm.

If they have no materials to buy there is absolutely no reason in the world to give them any payment for their labour up front. 

Not entirely true. There needs to be commitment before dates for work are set aside. 25% deposit would be quite normal.

I've had tons of AV and electrical work done around my home by firms that deal with residential and commercial customers and I've never paid either AV installers or Electricians until the work is completed. 

IvyFlood

We had our house completely rewired so a massive job. Ours didn't want anything up front and just sent an invoice when the work was complete. Done an excellent job though it did take us 6 months and endless contradictory quotes from countless others before we found them!