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Started By
Message
re: Contractor asking for half up front
Posted on 7/19/22 at 9:07 pm to CatfishJohn
Posted on 7/19/22 at 9:07 pm to CatfishJohn
Do not give this man any money up front. Any. Get his materials list and purchase them and have them delivered. It’s not a huge job, but there are some warning signs.
I would not hold the fact he drives in an old suv against him at all. Could be some very good reasons for that. Heck, my brick guy is an old gentleman that shows up to the job driving a mid-70’s Ford pickup. Outstanding craftsman. Your guy may just use it for a work vehicle, or he could have fallen on hard times and trying to work his way out. Or he could be a dopehead. I would give him a chance but keep a close eye on him for awhile till you are satisfied it’s going the way you want, but don’t be shy about telling him to stop if it’s not, give him something for trying to do a good job and then send him on his way.
I would not hold the fact he drives in an old suv against him at all. Could be some very good reasons for that. Heck, my brick guy is an old gentleman that shows up to the job driving a mid-70’s Ford pickup. Outstanding craftsman. Your guy may just use it for a work vehicle, or he could have fallen on hard times and trying to work his way out. Or he could be a dopehead. I would give him a chance but keep a close eye on him for awhile till you are satisfied it’s going the way you want, but don’t be shy about telling him to stop if it’s not, give him something for trying to do a good job and then send him on his way.
1
Posted on 7/19/22 at 9:38 pm to CatfishJohn
quote:
half up front
Absolutely not
Posted on 7/19/22 at 10:03 pm to CatfishJohn
No way.
Even the (illegal?) Hondurans Ive hired to do my concrete projects pay for all of the materials and I pay them one final price. $9000 one project and $4000 for the other.
If a contractor can't pay for materials, especially under $5000, they may not have any business being a contractor and should consider just being someone else's helper.
Even the (illegal?) Hondurans Ive hired to do my concrete projects pay for all of the materials and I pay them one final price. $9000 one project and $4000 for the other.
If a contractor can't pay for materials, especially under $5000, they may not have any business being a contractor and should consider just being someone else's helper.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 3:37 am to JAMAC2001
Lol at all of y’all saying don’t pay a dime upfront. Why should I finance your project? I retain half up front, and depending on the project size, I get a draw when I complete 50% of the project, then the remaining balance upon completion.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 4:42 am to HoLeInOnEr05
Because it implies that you have credit and can run a business. If you have trouble floating 4k then that should raise some red flags.
You mentioned that you get a draw when 50% of a job is done. Is that not the same as financing the project? You get paid 50% when you're halfway done. ie you finance the first portion up until 50%.
You mentioned that you get a draw when 50% of a job is done. Is that not the same as financing the project? You get paid 50% when you're halfway done. ie you finance the first portion up until 50%.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 5:05 am to bayoutiger225
I get a 10% deposit to schedule the project
40% a week prior to start date
30% when 50% of project is completed
20% when project is finalized and I do my final walk with client
40% a week prior to start date
30% when 50% of project is completed
20% when project is finalized and I do my final walk with client
Posted on 7/20/22 at 5:52 am to HoLeInOnEr05
quote:
I get a 10% deposit to schedule the project 40% a week prior to start date 30% when 50% of project is completed 20% when project is finalized and I do my final walk with client
I’d walk you right out the door with this bullshite.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 7:01 am to bayoutiger225
quote:
You mentioned that you get a draw when 50% of a job is done. Is that not the same as financing the project? You get paid 50% when you're halfway done. ie you finance the first portion up until 50%
It's not always financing. I require 50% deposits to do residential work. All of my products are custom, so it keeps customers from cancelling once I've put items into production.
Now in OP's situation, the materials are not custom, so I would not expect to pay a deposit. It's all "off the shelf" items that the contractor can use for other jobs.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 7:15 am to HoLeInOnEr05
so you're at 80% when half the job is done
20% for the remaining half of the project work doesn't leave much incentive for some folks to come finish the job...not when they have another job they can start and already be 50% whole a week before starting and then pick up another 30% to do first half
20% for the remaining half of the project work doesn't leave much incentive for some folks to come finish the job...not when they have another job they can start and already be 50% whole a week before starting and then pick up another 30% to do first half
This post was edited on 7/20/22 at 7:21 am
Posted on 7/20/22 at 8:18 am to jlsufan
I’m in the ‘partial up front’ is not that abnormal.
As said, it also keeps the customer honest. It depends on the contractor and the job. But getting a payment up front or very early right after materials are ordered is by no means abnormal. I would think the most fair would be something like 25% up front for the scheduling and materials, 25% when a large portion of the project is done, and then 50% upon completion. But 2 payments or 1 is more normal.
As said, it also keeps the customer honest. It depends on the contractor and the job. But getting a payment up front or very early right after materials are ordered is by no means abnormal. I would think the most fair would be something like 25% up front for the scheduling and materials, 25% when a large portion of the project is done, and then 50% upon completion. But 2 payments or 1 is more normal.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 8:19 am to HoLeInOnEr05
quote:
get a 10% deposit to schedule the project 40% a week prior to start date 30% when 50% of project is completed 20% when project is finalized and I do my final walk with client
That’s a book keeping PITA
Posted on 7/20/22 at 8:24 am to HoLeInOnEr05
quote:
I get a 10% deposit to schedule the project 40% a week prior to start date 30% when 50% of project is completed 20% when project is finalized and I do my final walk with client
Your clients are dumb.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 8:51 am to CatfishJohn
quote:
but drove a shitty 30 year old SUV and was not asking the right questions when he came out to measure.
I’m very conflicted.
So a guy comes out, underbids everyone, wants half up front because he has no other income coming in, and doesnt seem to know what he is doing....you should not be conflicted.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 8:55 am to HoLeInOnEr05
quote:I dont mind a deposit, but giving you 50% of the money is something I would just not do.
I get a 10% deposit to schedule the project
40% a week prior to start date
30% when 50% of project is completed
20% when project is finalized and I do my final walk with client
Posted on 7/20/22 at 9:27 am to tigerfoot
With work and labor right now so far behind, honestly I’m not sure why every renovation/ remodel contractor wouldn’t be taking some money up front. Less risk for them.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 9:27 am to CatfishJohn
My contractor is a family friend so that makes it easy. All his sub contractors are his personal buddies. Its nice to have handy men that you trust, so when you find one...make friends.
Ours likes to hunt, so we hooked him up and let him hunt, and he helps clean up stands and ally ways during the summer. Nice little trade and good friend
Ours likes to hunt, so we hooked him up and let him hunt, and he helps clean up stands and ally ways during the summer. Nice little trade and good friend
Posted on 7/20/22 at 10:03 am to GamecockUltimate
I pushed back and he said he’d leave materials and his equipment behind my backyard gate before I pay half up front.
This is cracking me up. He really wants the business.
This is cracking me up. He really wants the business.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 10:32 am to CatfishJohn
This has worked out precisely zero times in favor of the customer.
Posted on 7/20/22 at 10:34 am to CatfishJohn
Go with him to buy the materials and pay for it yourself.
Same thing happened to my sister….the contractor took the money and ran,
Same thing happened to my sister….the contractor took the money and ran,
Posted on 7/20/22 at 12:44 pm to East Coast Band
50% upfront isn't the issue. It's the 50% being $2000 that a contractor can't float.
I've worked at places that did half & half payments and places that did 30:70 and others that did thirds.
All are fine but not for something under 10k
I've worked at places that did half & half payments and places that did 30:70 and others that did thirds.
All are fine but not for something under 10k
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