Electricians want full payment upfront

Risteard

IvyFlood said:

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!

Not at all normal to rewire a property with no payment until after completion. In fact completely unheard of in this day and age. Clearly not businessmen.

IvyFlood

Risteard said:

IvyFlood said:

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!

Not at all normal to rewire a property with no payment until after completion. In fact completely unheard of in this day and age. Clearly not businessmen.

We thought it was odd but I guess if we didn't pay them they would have responded! Needless to say they done an excellent job in very quick time (though we did leave the house bear for them and ripped all the carpets and skirting prior)

victor2

demontfort said:

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.

We are in the process of having our bathroom totally refurbished. 25% deposit and staged payments while it is being done.

Just had the chimney swept today, so small job. The sweep is going to email me the bill with his bank details on it, and I'll pay by bank transfer when I get it.

No way would I pay everything up front for a job, big or small, and I've never been asked to.

Exodi

demontfort said:

I'm not concerned that they'll scam me but I am concerned that they will drag their feet

Reminds me of the last contractor I had (though he didn't require complete up-front).

Paid 50% up-front (to be fair, there were significant materials involved) and near the end of the job, the main guy approached me and asked if I was happy to pay the remaining 50% now, so he can pay all his guys for the weekend. He'd done about 90% of the project, and assured me that he'd personally come and do the last little bits around his other jobs in the next few days. Reluctantly I paid the outstanding 50%.

Long story short, it took a bit over 2 months to finish the last bit of the job. 'Tied up with other projects', 'vehicle has broken down', 'let down by staff member so needing to cover', 'issue with materials', you name it.

Never again will I pay someone for the entire job before it is completed. You are right to be cautious.

Plenty of electricians out there for what sounds like a relatively straightforward job.

discat11

Deposit no problem but full payment up front? No chance.

Phil4432

No.  Usually a deposit, payment upon completion.

He's a cowboy.

bris

Risteard said:

IvyFlood said:

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!

Not at all normal to rewire a property with no payment until after completion. In fact completely unheard of in this day and age. Clearly not businessmen.

In case you haven't noticed its a tradesman's world just now, they are so busy they set the terms and its a simple take it or leave it.

Their book will be filled by someone else and wont give a lost job a second thought.

I would be more interested in their reputation than when it gets paid.