We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Cancelling a workman

Options
13»

Comments

  • the_lunatic_is_in_my_head
    the_lunatic_is_in_my_head Posts: 9,254 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 25 September 2024 at 2:50PM
    sheramber said:
    Being offered doesn't mean it would be granted.

    Indeed but if a tradesperson has bad credit why should the risk be trasferred to the customer via an advanced payment*? Are we suggesting it's good idea to give up front money to people with a history of being poor at managing it because they can't now get credit? :)
    *Yes I understand a new roof, an extension, some made to measure bi-fold doors and you expect some kind of payment in advance (or upon delivery of materials), but paying up front for some multi finish seems crazy unless OP has some specialist job on the go with materials the trader isn't going to use elsewhere.


    In the game of chess you can never let your adversary see your pieces
  • MeteredOut
    MeteredOut Posts: 3,037 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 25 September 2024 at 3:07PM
    The only time I've ever paid for materials up front is when they have been delivered to my home prior to the work starting (eg materials for garden landscaping). I had no issue with that.

    OP, how much was the job and how much did they want for up front materials? As others have said, it can't (or should not) have been that much for plastering.
  • We employed a plasterer last winter. He can to the house to view the job. 

    He asked that we purchase the plaster ourselves. He told us what was required and we got it. It was quite simple. 

    His reasoning was that he doesn’t drive - so would be dropped off by his wife. Much easier if he only had his tools and not all the supplies too. 

    We were very pleased with his work. We had found plasterers are in very short supply. 
  • Kim_13
    Kim_13 Posts: 3,408 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    cannugec5 said:
    We employed a plasterer last winter. He can to the house to view the job. 

    He asked that we purchase the plaster ourselves. He told us what was required and we got it. It was quite simple. 

    His reasoning was that he doesn’t drive - so would be dropped off by his wife. Much easier if he only had his tools and not all the supplies too. 

    We were very pleased with his work. We had found plasterers are in very short supply. 
    This would also be a compromise that could be used by plasterers who do drive and who want payment upfront when the customer is uncomfortable with this - then the customer would have the materials for use by another plasterer if they don’t show up to complete the job. I’m surprised he didn’t suggest this in response to OPs reason for cancelling. It’d get some money coming in rather than him losing a day’s work, even though he may opt not quote for their work in the future. 
  • sheramber
    sheramber Posts: 22,412 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    sheramber said:
    Being offered doesn't mean it would be granted.

    Indeed but if a tradesperson has bad credit why should the risk be trasferred to the customer via an advanced payment*? Are we suggesting it's good idea to give up front money to people with a history of being poor at managing it because they can't now get credit? :)
    *Yes I understand a new roof, an extension, some made to measure bi-fold doors and you expect some kind of payment in advance (or upon delivery of materials), but paying up front for some multi finish seems crazy unless OP has some specialist job on the go with materials the trader isn't going to use elsewhere.


    Presumably, the customer  does know if he has bad credit and doesn’t ask.

    The only time we paid upfront was after receiving a detailed invoice showing each item and the cost. The materials were delivered to our house. 

    Labour was paid for on satisfactory completion of the job.

  • *Yes I understand a new roof, an extension, some made to measure bi-fold doors and you expect some kind of payment in advance (or upon delivery of materials), but paying up front for some multi finish seems crazy unless OP has some specialist job on the go with materials the trader isn't going to use elsewhere.


    That's what I'm got getting, it's not as if a plasterer is going to be stuck with a bag of paster forever more
    Let's Be Careful Out There
  • PHK
    PHK Posts: 2,282 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper

    *Yes I understand a new roof, an extension, some made to measure bi-fold doors and you expect some kind of payment in advance (or upon delivery of materials), but paying up front for some multi finish seems crazy unless OP has some specialist job on the go with materials the trader isn't going to use elsewhere.


    That's what I'm got getting, it's not as if a plasterer is going to be stuck with a bag of paster forever more
    We know nothing of the job. It could be specialised plaster or a listed building etc. 

    Whatever the situation I think it very poor form to cancel the day before. 
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.