Is this normal? Electrician wants payment in advance.

[SomethingNastyInTheBallPool]

Our electrics keep tripping, so we decided to get an electrician in to see what might be causing the problem.
DP found a company with good reviews on TrustPilot, but they want payment in advance.

Is this a thing now? I can understand paying a deposit, but we’ve never paid the whole amount before the job is completed (or before we’ve even met the tradesperson!)

It’s not a huge amount - £100 - but it feels like the sort of thing you’re always warned not to do…

No this isn't normal in my experience. Like a pp I paid something in advance when I ordered a new boiler; and I have paid for materials in advance. But I'd not pay someone before they even turned up for a small job. If they brought a card machine and wanted to charge me on arrival that isn't so bad because at least they are there (although they could still disappear again!) but I would refuse to pay before they turned up.

I meant the idea of paying for an investigation and not any resolution I think.

@OneFrenchEgg Ah, right. That seems fair enough. It’s the idea of handing over money to someone you’ve never had dealings with before they’ve even shown up that feels a bit off.

I meant, you’ve paid them already for their time. In the event you decide not to go ahead as it’s too costly, they are not out of pocket. If you weren’t a trustworthy reasonable customer you might refuse to pay the callout charge/preliminary report and they’d be out of pocket by £100.

Sounds similar to when I had my house rewired. my electrician did a survey which he charged me upfront for. Once the survey was done and the problems picked up he then did the rewire which he billed me after for.