Ask an expert

Get free help from our community of tradespeople

Is it normal to pay 50% upfront (total amount under £1000)?

Posted by Will Zeh, on
Is it normal to pay 50% upfront (total amount under £1000) before the work is started? In the past, we paid when the job is completed and when we were satisfied with the work carried out. Now, we’ve been asked by handymen to pay 50% upfront (total amount £1000) before the work is started.
james cross

james cross

No I ve never asked for deposit in my career, the amount of story I hear about that is shocking people disappearing aswell with money
Paul Collins

Paul Collins

Under £1,000, I’d say it’s unreasonable to ask for 50% upfront unless the materials required are very expensive. The comprise could be that you purchase materials & pay the labour on completion. Rated People recommendation is a 20% max deposit.
Stuart Lacey

Stuart Lacey

My company won’t take money from our customers until the job is complete and customer is happy 50% upfront is something we wouldn’t ask for that’s for sure !
JASON BAILEY

JASON BAILEY

Hi Will In my case as a tradesman, if I agree works which are over £1000-00 then I send an email with the schedule of works, the price etc. I then say to the customer that at the end of the first day they pay me 50% that way I have arranged labour and put tools on site and it will allow some materials to arrive This is showing good faith, as the customer has put the job on the site and agreed it by email, I have kept my part of the deal and therefore by the customer paying 50% it shows good faith on the customers part and shows they are serious about getting the work done as I am not prepared to finance someone else’s job and take any risks. But I wouldn’t pay 50% upfront without seeing people and tools on site, the fact that the tradesman is asking Rated People for a refund doesn’t sound good If you have paid the guy then ask him when he intends to turn up to start the job If you get no reply contact Rated People and inform them of what has happened If a tradesman gets 2 bad reviews due to workmanship in a year then his/her account can be cancelled I have experienced a lot of customers who agree things for less than £250-00 you buy the materials and then cancel. That means it’s the cost of buying the job,diesel and your time My stance will be that if you buy a car pay a deposit and cancel you don’t get your money back and due to time wasters this is my stance as well You cannot get this time wasted back and it ruins your day costing more time and money Regards Jason

What would you like to do now?

Find more questions Create my Job

Homeowner stories

Homeowner stories - Nick

Nick shares his story of finding local tradespeople in his new area.

app-icon

Get our app for homeowners

  • Send messages and get notifications from tradespeople
  • Add photos to get more accurate quotes
  • View tradespeople’s profiles