Do you pay handymen before they leave

[purpleme12]

Had someone (well 2 people) dismantle and put up a new trampoline
Before he went he was like so are you to pay us now or
I said I was going to pay by bank transfer so I can do it that way
Thinking I'll do it when they're gone like every other tradesperson has been ok with
I can't remember what he said next but he made it obvious he wanted it now cos I was like oh you want me to do it now? He said yes.I was like er ok
I did go to sit down and do it on my mobile and did do it.
Then while I was doing it he went away and got in his van and I didn't see him after that anyway. Didn't say bye or thanks cos he'd got in his van

Is this normal that people expect you to pay before they go? It made me feel a bit weird

I'd already paid £10 deposit before they came anyway

I'm assuming you didn't have any contract with T&C's for payment?
We've been renovating for several years (derelict property). Some trades sent an invoice to be paid within X days etc. They were generally ones that were working on the house for weeks at a time though, not a one day job. We always had cash ready so could pay on the spot if needed or bank transfer- which was done that afternoon/evening. We never had anyone ask for a bank transfer whilst they were still there, but all our trades new the others and knew there were no issues with payment from us.

It sounds like this was a one off job. You wouldn't go to a hair dresser and expect to pay later that day so maybe that was his thinking. Also, maybe he was worried you wouldn't pay?

I had a floor fitter who told me that he has been left unpaid so many times that now he doesn’t leave until the bank transfer has been done.

He did tell me this before he started the work though and explained why.

Yes, I always pay there and then.

I do whatever they want - if I am happy with their job then why would I not pay straightaway? What is there to feel weird about?

Yes always, I pay cash.

It takes a very short time to transfer money. Why wouldn't you?

So many people think it's an option to 'get round to doing' just get it done. Nobody likes to remind people when they're owed money.

Usually yes, doesn’t seem unreasonable

Generally no, I usually pay later that day. I would pay before they left if they asked me to though.

I always pay before they leave.

Normal for small one-off jobs now, my boiler engineer and chimney sweep I pay on the spot. Window cleaner comes when we're out so that has to be later. I used to give them a cheque before they left in the old days, it's no different and also no different from paying for a haircut before you leave the premises rather than later. My mum doesn't do online banking so they send her an invoice and I pay it (LPA) so there is usually flexibility. But saves them having to chase them.

Yes for a small one off job I’d expect to pay there and then

Too many people say they will pay and then don't. For a one-off small job, just pay on the day. Why wouldn't you?

Oh ok

I've got no problem with paying same day. I've never had any tradesperson want it doing before they leave. When I've paid the boiler person, the CCTV person etc they've seen an invoice and I've paid my bank transfer on time.

So this has never happened before.

But maybe from what people are saying, it's normal for some to want it before they go

Like PP I will follow the tradesperson's lead. Our boiler engineer always emails a written invoice with 14 days for payment and I would pay the evening of the day i received it. I've had other trades whip out a card reader for on the spot payment. One home hairdresser asked for bank transfer and stayed until it had gone through.

The only thing that would cause problems for me would be if they wanted cash on the spot without mentioning it first, as I may not have enough to hand and we live quite far from the nearest ATM. But that hasn't happened yet!

Ok perhaps I was a little put out because it had never happened to me before then

I'll be more prepared next time

Why wouldn’t you? They shouldn’t be left waiting for payment. The job has been done - pay up.

Well as I've said I've never had anyone expect payment before they've gone so I wasn't expecting it

Sensible man trying to minimise the number of people he has to chase up for payment because they have 'forgotten'.

This is so strange I never realised people just didn’t pay cash then and there! I am surprised many handy men would be happy not to receive payment till after they’ve left, don’t think that would happen here.

Yes I always pay before a tradesperson leaves.

For an odd job man, less than £100 or so, I'd pay up there and then.

For tradesmen, I'd expect a proper invoice and pay once I've had a chance to inspect the job without them looking over me. Usually within 24 hours.

Yes always. Once they've left the house, it's harder to ensure payment.

I always pay before they leave as otherwise it gets but on my to do pile and might take a couple of days which isn't fair on them.

Yep, similar to the carpet fitter I had in recently. He finished the job, asked me to inspect, made it clear that I could pay by bank transfer or cash while he was packing up his stuff. As a fellow self employed person, I get it. No one has time to chase payments for jobs already completed - it’s a pain in the arse.

I did know beforehand that I would be expected to pay direct upon completion before her left.

Being on the other side and doing the odd days /night temp work it’s a pain chasing money

and easier to check been paid before I leave

unless a contract /invoice stating payment in x days etc then I would expect to pay /be paid - cash or bacs before I go

as people said you pay a hairdresser - food - nails - etc so I see it as being similar

had a service and pay for it there and then

hope mini purple enjoys as much as mini blondes does her

i upgraded her one beginning of year as old was was 7yrs old

new one bigger and uses it every day