Can a workman insist I pay him in cash?

[AlleyRose]

Having a new bathroom fitted. 2k deposit, 2k at start of job, 2k half way through all by bank transfer. He’s asked for the final 2k (when I’m happy and it’s all finished) in cash.

I don’t want to have to visit the ATM machine 8 times and I don’t want to have to travel to my nearest bank to then have to walk back to my car with £2k in cash in my handbag.

Can I refuse and just do bank transfer for final payment?

Yup, that's common practice for their tax & VAT avoidance. Put some of the price through the books and "pocket" the rest. "Something" has gone through the books in case of HMRC enquiry, and some has gone straight into his pocket, thus evading tax, NIC, VAT, etc.

That's why I suggested you arrange to meet him at the bank.

Nail on the head. If he's happy to be dishonest with HMRC, then he'll be happy to be dishonest with customers.

This is a good point. Electrician and plasterer have already done their bit and I’ve paid 6 out of the 8k. Why can’t he pay them out of that? Don’t mean that in an arsey way, just don’t understand why he would make them wait for
me to pay next week in cash?

I don’t think he’s VAT registered to be honest. I suspect he doesn’t earn enough. But he will have to pay tax on his earnings so I’m wondering if he just prefers to pay his sub contractors in cash?

Invoice doesn’t mention VAT, just the total amount.

(He was recommended by a friend who used him who was really pleased with his work and he uploads a lot of photos onto his Facebook page so he’s not a cowboy). The work he’s done so far is really good to be fair.

I think I agree with you @SeaDragon17 and @Badbadbunny

Say you’re not sure it’s okay. He will assure you that it is. Then say “Oh - just let me check with my DH/mum/dad/brother/sister (whoever is most plausible) that it’s okay. They’re pretty senior in HMRC and know all about it.” He’ll take a bank transfer…..

I always check. I had a builder once who wanted cash and I hated it. It’s such a pain and it means they’re not paying tax.

infuriating.

I’d just refuse.

One the builders (roofer) insisted on cash - had to explain to the bank why I wanted cash, although thinking about it now, maybe it was flagged up under money laundering rules?

There were problems a couple of years later with the roof and regret giving him cash.

Don't be ridiculous.

Unless he's 12 and easily scared, this won't have any effect other than to make you look like a moron.

I'd just tell him you don't have easy access to cash so "I'll have to ping you a bank transfer". Leave it at that. There is no reason why anyone in his supply chain needs to be paid in cash.

Actually paying someone in cash would be the opposite of money laundering wouldnt it? They ask questions to make sure you aren't being scammed

Was the invoice hand written or from some kind of computerised system?
Ask him if he'll sign and date it to confirm you've paid in full

We had a kitchen done recently and I was happy to pay in cash. Every time I went to the supermarket I got £250 out. Husband did the same. Got cash back every time I did a shop too. It wasn’t a problem and I was keen to keep the fitter onside. If he’s happy, he’ll likely do a better job and if he doesn’t pay tax on that last 2k it doesn’t bother me.

If it's just the last payment it's because he's fed up being messed about once a job is over.

Who on earth pays 20k upfront?!

mind boggles, people can’t seriously be this soft.

Christ don’t say this, you’ll look like a right twat. It’ll piss him off and why would you want someone who is pissed off working in your home for the next few weeks. Just get the cash out! If you go four times and so does your DH it’s not a massive effort is it?

Honestly if he's a decent tradesman I'd just do it, decent trades are worth their weight in gold.

Just say that feels unsafe for you and so you're doing bank transfer instead, stand firm, he's working for you not the other way around.

DH is a retired bathroom installer, many clients wanted to pay cash, mainly because their relatives weren’t happy with them spending their expected inheritance, he would often drive them to banks to escort them in and out. Then the next day I would take cash to deposit in bank, I don’t know what I would do now as we have no local banks left. I’m sure if you tell tradesman that it’s a problem getting cash out, then it will be ok. We had building work done and paid some cash, both my DH and I took out money each day, our local Co-op and Tesco have free cash points.

If he does a poor job and you have to take him to the small claims court to get your money back, you won’t be able to claim any cash you gave him. Also be wary of tradespeople who want you to send bank transfers to their personal bank accounts instead of a business account. Please be aware that you won’t get your money back via your bank if he does a poor job. It’ll get classed as a civil dispute and you’d need to take him to court, so I’d reconsider paying him more than half before the job is completed to your satisfaction.

Tax evasion IS money laundering, i.e. proceeds of crime, benefitting from a crime, etc.

Then he'll be happy with a bank transfer on the last day once it's all properly finished!

Black economy tax evasion is the largest component of the official "tax gap" - more than rich people avoiding tax! If being party to tax evasion doesn't "bother" you, then you clearly don't have a working moral compass.

🤣

You can Google what ML is, you know, if you're not sure.

Probably better to do that next time before posting absolute codswallop 🙈

Having a new bathroom fitted. 2k deposit, 2k at start of job, 2k half way through all by bank transfer. He’s asked for the final 2k (when I’m happy and it’s all finished) in cash.

These terms are so nonstandard they are screaming scamming cowboy 🤠 contractor.

2k deposit plus 2k at start = 50% deposit, when it should be a big fat ZERO
2k halfway by bank transfer is ok if it’s already sunk cost of materials.
It should be 6k by bank transfer when all done ✔️