Paying a builder a deposit

dal

dal

dal

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Joined
10 Sep 2005
Posts
909
Location
Lincolnshire
Hi, so ive had got a builder from my builder website, the job is £1500 and he's asking for £750 upfront for materials. While i can understand him wanting a deposit i think 50 % is quite a large amount. What is the general rule regarding giving bulders a deposit up front.
The building materials he needs for the job are 1000 bricks, 1 large builders bag of ballast, 20 bags of cement and some builders sand so that could well come to what hes asking for.
 
mrbell1984 said:
When paying privately that’s perfectly fine what they are asking. Pay half now and the other half on completion. I would be happy to do that no problem.

They don’t get the other half until it’s complete which is fine.
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But whats to say I'm ever going to see him again ?
He seems like a genuine bloke etc but I'm sure they all do.
 
This annoys me to hell to be honest
Builders don't pay up front for materials

When I used to be in the supply chain for building (tool hire) as soon as there was some downturn they would claim no money. Yet they take deposits from everyone for "materials", its basically cashflow and they generally suck utterly at it.
 
Just order the materials yourself, delivered to you, then he won't need a advance.

If he's just a one man band he may not have 750 floating around.
 
mrbell1984 said:
There's nothing to say you will see him again he might take your money and run.

What you could do is at least get some details and see if they are a proper company. If not then don't go with him.
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How can I check if he is a proper company ?

He does have 100% feedback from 24 people on mybuilder.
 
mrbell1984 said:
Check companies house? Ask for their business name details e.t.c see if they match. This is your call though.
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No he's not showing on companies house but he is only a one man band. Is companies house only for Ltd companies ?
 
Be honnest mate, I've had trades men off these sites (Trusted builder trusted tradesmen etc.) I wouldn't entertain them on my place again most are scammers to say the least. recommendations from friends and family at least someone you know, as for deposit ...jog on.
 
If its a big job that warrants £750 worth of material then pony up. Clearly for you non tradesmen you haven't shelled out money for materials only to have the job cancelled because the husbands mate down the pub can do it for half the price.

You wouldn't normally sign a contract for this amount of money on a job and, depending on the trade in question, it may be material specific to you and not one he can use at a later date. There's nothing to say you will see him again, there is also no guarantee you wont pay him the other half of the money because you're not 'happy with the job' even though its perfectly fine.

To be honest if you want a sure fire local tradesman with a registered office and guarantee that they'll still be around in 12 months time then you go with an established local firm. But you'll pay probably double because their overheads are much bigger.
 
lewism said:
If its a big job that warrants £750 worth of material then pony up. Clearly for you non tradesmen you haven't shelled out money for materials only to have the job cancelled because the husbands mate down the pub can do it for half the price.

You wouldn't normally sign a contract for this amount of money on a job and, depending on the trade in question, it may be material specific to you and not one he can use at a later date. There's nothing to say you will see him again, there is also no guarantee you wont pay him the other half of the money because you're not 'happy with the job' even though its perfectly fine.

To be honest if you want a sure fire local tradesman with a registered office and guarantee that they'll still be around in 12 months time then you go with an established local firm. But you'll pay probably double because their overheads are much bigger.
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There's zero chance of me ever paying 50% upfront for building works. I'd either order the materials myself, or as previously suggested ask the tradesman to organise the materials and I ring up to pay / arrange delivery.
 
dal said:
No he's not showing on companies house but he is only a one man band. Is companies house only for Ltd companies ?
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yes. he won't be on it. that's fine though.

there are many options to sort this out. you can say to him you've had a bad experience before so not taking the risk. you're happy to pay the materials once he's got the order through, or pay less.

if he doesn't accept that then go else where. it's your money not his so your choice how you feel comfortable to pay. he can set the rules, but you decide if you want to agree to them.

it's almost definitely that he wont be scamming you, but do what makes you comfortable.

if he's losing customers due to this he needs to find a solution. why doesn't he have card readers for instance? the costs is much smaller now than what they used to be and super simple. gives you the security of paying by card. if his only 2 options are either cash (not safe) or bank trans (not safe) then it's an issue you shouldn't be bending to make it work.
 
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