Tradesmen and deposits - what’s standard?

[Deathgrip]

We’ve only hired one tradesmen in the past - an external decorator. Everyone who quoted said no deposit, full payment on completion which I was a bit surprised by. Unfortunately we got burned a bit, got pressured into paying before the job was finished and then of course he never returned (he left a very large ladder here to finish so I thought we were safe, but it was hired and a hire company came to collect it).

Anyway, we’ve booked someone to work on our garden in a few weeks time. Just had an email requesting a 40% deposit upfront. The only materials needed are five decking planks.

I’m just worried about getting stung and him not showing up - what’s to stop him taking the money and running and never even showing up? The risk of a negative review didn’t help us before!

The company has excellent reviews online (9.9 on checkatrade, 5* on google but only a few reviews) so I would just pay it but DH is very distrusting after the bad experience previously.

We've used many tradesmen over the years - builders, roofers, plumbers, electricians, landscape gardeners etc - and have never been asked to pay a deposit. We've paid in full on completion of the work. Have you had more than one quotation for the work? It's a good idea to get 3 as a minimum.

Deposit = full value of materials is reasonable but I definitely wouldn't be paying for labour when it hasn't been carried out. I think your tradesman is very cheeky

That’s what I feared. We did get other quotes - theirs was reasonable but not the cheapest, they have good reviews and seemed to know their stuff. I totally understand paying for materials or equipment hire in advance but a 40% deposit when there’s so little to purchase is a bit strange.

I would buy the materials, and pay on completion to your satisfaction.

There’s 34 reviews on checkatrade, lots of photos, all very good including repeat customers... I just don’t know what to do now. We booked them over a month ago, early October was the soonest they could get it done so it seems they are busy.

It’s about £500 as a deposit so not a piddling amount.

Balls, I’ve just realised that the T&Cs they sent me with the quote specify this - if the quote were under £1k there’d be no deposit but as it’s over (just) they ask for 40% deposit. I misread the amounts in the T&Cs at the time.

Not really sure what to do - I may offer to pay for the materials needed and see what they say.

My regular gardener/landscaper charges £150 per day plus materials if I don't buy them. You must be having some substantial work done for over £1000.

There is a fair amount to be done - raised pond removed, part of decking replaced, large custom built shed that’s falling down being dismantled and disposed of replaced with a fence, and low fencing around the lawn, getting rid of a couple of raised beds and a tree that’s falling down... it’s quite a reasonable price for the work, but not suspiciously so. There’s costs associated with all the disposal but not upfront obviously!

Will they be buying the replacement fencing? That can be quite expensive.

Is it worth trying to negotiate down the deposit? Then payment in stages as jobs are completed?

That’s a point, I totally forgot about the cost of the fencing (doh).

I think I will explain the situation and offer to purchase the materials and have them delivered here so at least we have them if nothing else.

Get them to buy materials and have them delivered to you. Upon receipt pay for goods. Labour paid after the job.

I’d never use Checkatrade after seeing Watchdog a couple of years ago. They never use negative reviews. Why would you pay 40% deposit to someone who may do a shoddy job or never finish the work. I’m with your DH.

Trouble is you will have to pay more for materials than the workmen will. They’ve probably got a discount with the supplier that you won’t get.
40% seems reasonable to me.

@Lllot5. That's not likely. They will probably get a discount on the materials, but it's pretty unlikely it'll be passed onto the customer - therefore reducing their profit.

He can order them and I’ll pay for it, I just want them to be delivered here if we are paying for them - otherwise he could literally take a deposit and disappear couldn’t he?

I'm married to a tradesman and for jobs over £2k we ask for 50% deposit, we have been stung by people changing dates/delaying at the last minute so the deposit secures a spot in the diary for big jobs. A quick google and a check of our accounts on Companies House would assure you that we aren't about to do a midnight flit.

It also gives customers reassurance because the balanced isn't invoice until both parties are happy with the final job.

If they take credit card payments, pay £100 (or more) of the deposit for Section 75 protection.

I’d buy materials only
Labour paid when job completed