Paying to contractors

FinLandlord

We are about to initiate a bathroom refurbishment project in our house with my wife, and have now received quotes from three potential contractors to do the job. Their quotes range between £15k and £25k. All the contractors are asking us to pay a deposit of c. £3k upfront.

We are a bit scared to go ahead and pay this money before basically any work has been completed. There are several horror stories online about the contractors basically disappearing after the deposit is paid.

How have you guys dealt with the situation? Have you agreed to pay?

jonnydeppiwish!

Pay it in credit card, that way you’re relatively covered. I would normally pay only for supplies required - 3k is about right. We’re abouts are you as that’s quite expensive for a new bathroom (depending on spec of course!)

FinLandlord

jonnydeppiwish! said:

Pay it in credit card, that way you’re relatively covered. I would normally pay only for supplies required - 3k is about right. We’re abouts are you as that’s quite expensive for a new bathroom (depending on spec of course!)

Unfortunately none of the contractors accept credit card payments. All of them want us to pay directly to their bank account.

We're based in London and we are actually removing one wall to really make a bathroom of our dreams.

jonnydeppiwish!

FinLandlord said:

jonnydeppiwish! said:

Pay it in credit card, that way you’re relatively covered. I would normally pay only for supplies required - 3k is about right. We’re abouts are you as that’s quite expensive for a new bathroom (depending on spec of course!)

Unfortunately none of the contractors accept credit card payments. All of them want us to pay directly to their bank account.

We're based in London and we are actually removing one wall to really make a bathroom of our dreams.

Ah, quotes make sense then. I think £3k is fair deposit

Doozergirl

Due diligence is key.  What homework have you done on them? 

Are they members of the Federation of Master Builders, for example? You can check companies by name.  www.fmb.org.uk/fab
The FMB is a non-profit organisation and their builders have had independent site inspections, trading history and other background checks carried out, trading histories checked and must offer you a contract.  

 

In a country where literally anyone can call themselves a builder, it's a really good start to finding someone trustworthy. 

35har1old

jonnydeppiwish! said:

Pay it in credit card, that way you’re relatively covered. I would normally pay only for supplies required - 3k is about right. We’re abouts are you as that’s quite expensive for a new bathroom (depending on spec of course!)

Likely not setup for CC payment 

Albermarle

When we had a loft conversion, they wanted a few grand up front and the rest in stages.
I said OK but would pay them the upfront fee when they actually turned up to start the job.
This seemed to be acceptable .

rizla01

Doozergirl said:

Due diligence is key.  What homework have you done on them? 

Are they members of the Federation of Master Builders, for example? You can check companies by name.  www.fmb.org.uk/fab
The FMB is a non-profit organisation and their builders have had independent site inspections, trading history and other background checks carried out, trading histories checked and must offer you a contract.  

 

In a country where literally anyone can call themselves a builder, it's a really good start to finding someone trustworthy. 

FMB is a scam. They are ALWAYS on the side of their paying members

Doozergirl

rizla01 said:

Doozergirl said:

Due diligence is key.  What homework have you done on them? 

Are they members of the Federation of Master Builders, for example? You can check companies by name.  www.fmb.org.uk/fab
The FMB is a non-profit organisation and their builders have had independent site inspections, trading history and other background checks carried out, trading histories checked and must offer you a contract.  

 

In a country where literally anyone can call themselves a builder, it's a really good start to finding someone trustworthy. 

FMB is a scam. They are ALWAYS on the side of their paying members

That's not true at all.   Their mediation service is approved and inspected by trading standards.  

https://www.tradingstandards.uk/consumer-help/adr-approved-bodies/federation-of-master-builders/

I saw a pie chart of the results of their dispute cases last week.  Most cases are settled amicably, followed by siding with the client. 

macman

FinLandlord said:

jonnydeppiwish! said:

Pay it in credit card, that way you’re relatively covered. I would normally pay only for supplies required - 3k is about right. We’re abouts are you as that’s quite expensive for a new bathroom (depending on spec of course!)

Unfortunately none of the contractors accept credit card payments. All of them want us to pay directly to their bank account.

We're based in London and we are actually removing one wall to really make a bathroom of our dreams.

Just 1p on a credit card will protect you for the full value of the contract between £100 and £30k.