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Started By
Message
Contractor asking for half up front
Posted on 7/19/22 at 5:38 pm
Posted on 7/19/22 at 5:38 pm
Got a great price, but obviously not as "professional" as other contractors. Has good online reviews though.
He asked for cash or check only and half up front. Is that normal? It's only $4k ($2k up front) so it isn't like he's asking for $20k, and he said it's because he has to buy the materials.
He asked for cash or check only and half up front. Is that normal? It's only $4k ($2k up front) so it isn't like he's asking for $20k, and he said it's because he has to buy the materials.
This post was edited on 7/25/22 at 3:10 pm
22
Posted on 7/19/22 at 5:52 pm to CatfishJohn
Don’t do it, it rarely works to you advantage. He could show up for a few hours and not come back. Reputable contractors don’t do this. If he is in a business position where he cannot afford to front his initials purchases of materials, I would not trust him. Tell him to go to Home Depot and open a contractor’s credit account.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 5:57 pm to CatfishJohn
Run!!!! You have no leverage once he has cash or check in hand. Never pay upfront.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 6:03 pm to CatfishJohn
Don’t do it.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 6:03 pm to CatfishJohn
No. Tell him to give you the material list, you'll buy the material and deduct from the quote.
It the material ends up being less than the half up front, don't complain, pay him the difference.
It the material ends up being less than the half up front, don't complain, pay him the difference.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 6:07 pm to CatfishJohn
I have a coworker that needed a $17k roof post Laura. He approached one of the crews working in his neighborhood and the guy in the logo'ed shirt and logo'ed nice new dually pickup came over walked his roof, gave him the estimate and said he'd take $7k to order the materials... because they were working on several other houses and one of his brothers happened to be one of them he figured it would be OK. Cut the guy a check and never heard from him again. Listen to these guys. Don't do it.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 6:11 pm to CatfishJohn
quote:
Contractor asking for half up front
i have done it before to save money on small jobs under $2k, but not on a $4k job.
as mentioned he isnt a professional so your getting a handyman doing it who cant afford to buy the materails to do the job
if you want to take the risk to save money, then thats on you, but if the guy doesnt live up to his word, or does the job badly, you are stuck with it and may still need to hire someone to do it over again but the right way.
there are a few ways you can protect yourself - tell him to give you a list of the materials needed and you will have it delivered to your house, that way you dont risk him never showing up after getting your money, and if he does ghost you it cost you nothing and you have the materials on sight for the next guy you hire or you could send them back and get a refund for it.
the last guy i hired who wanted half up front i said no, i will give you a check to pay in full when the job is complete, and he agreed. but that was just for a simple $1500 concrete job
This post was edited on 7/19/22 at 6:16 pm
Posted on 7/19/22 at 6:29 pm to keakar
He’s delivering an itemized contract for the cost before I pay him so I’ll share that on here.
Really nice guy, family business with legit website and good online reviews, 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.
Really nice guy, family business with legit website and good online reviews, 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.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 6:32 pm to CatfishJohn
Let him itemize a material list and you purchase materials. I’d let him know you’ll honor any pay differences up to the original contract amount.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 6:47 pm to CatfishJohn
quote:
Really nice guy, family business with legit website and good online reviews, but drove a shitty 30 year old SUV and was not asking the right questions when he came out to measure.
Run
Posted on 7/19/22 at 6:52 pm to CatfishJohn
quote:
He’s delivering an itemized contract for the cost before I pay him so I’ll share that on here.
What does that matter? Either offer to order and purchase the materials yourself, or let him do it, but either way, don’t pay him until the job is completed.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 7:15 pm to CatfishJohn
You buy materials then pay him as work is completed. If he still wants half up front then decline his services.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 7:17 pm to CatfishJohn
NO NO NO NO NO.....Find a legit contractor.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 7:27 pm to CatfishJohn
quote:
Really nice guy, family business with legit website and good online reviews,
ok thats something at least but those reviews are easy to fake
quote:
drove a shitty 30 year old SUV
not something that really matters since its a work vehicle but it is concerning and could be a sign of not having a steady income stream
quote:
was not asking the right questions when he came out to measure.
this screams no, no, hell no, dont hire this guy
your instinct is clearly telling you not to trust him so dont
Posted on 7/19/22 at 7:58 pm to TigerVizz87
quote:
Let him itemize a material list and you purchase materials. I’d let him know you’ll honor any pay differences up to the original contract amount.
^^^^^this you buy the materials and pay him for his labor.
These guys roll through a lot of meth, child support payments and natty light, it's hard for them to buy the materials with cash on hand.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 8:06 pm to greenbean
quote:
These guys roll through a lot of meth, child support payments and natty light, it's hard for them to buy the materials with cash on hand.
exactly why you donrt let them near any important critical job like foundations or retaining walls that greatly efect your property values
Posted on 7/19/22 at 8:08 pm to CatfishJohn
My fence guy wanted it split into 1/3s.
1/3 to put me on the books
1/3 after posts in place
1/3 after complete
Before I gave him anything we had a signed contract and I checked with other folks that used his service and they were all very happy as was I with the whole process. Dude did a good job and showed up on time every time. However, it’s was a 3300 job. Not a huge project.
1/3 to put me on the books
1/3 after posts in place
1/3 after complete
Before I gave him anything we had a signed contract and I checked with other folks that used his service and they were all very happy as was I with the whole process. Dude did a good job and showed up on time every time. However, it’s was a 3300 job. Not a huge project.
This post was edited on 7/19/22 at 8:28 pm
Posted on 7/19/22 at 8:18 pm to CatfishJohn
My in laws stupidly paid a guy to fix their pool in advance and nearly had to take him to court before he got around to doing the job a year later.
Posted on 7/19/22 at 9:04 pm to CatfishJohn
Ask yourself what it would take for you to get a credit card with just a $10,000 limit
Is it really going to be that good of a deal to risk $2k of cash?
Is it really going to be that good of a deal to risk $2k of cash?
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