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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask if if it is reasonable to pay a builder before he starts

63 replies

Finallyspring · 11/05/2011 16:00

Sorry, boring thread. Someone is coming to do some building work and has asked me to pay £720 for materials before he starts ( final price is £1,500. Is this reasonable ?

OP posts:
MrSpoc · 11/05/2011 16:01

not sure but i always thought that, that is how the building trade works.

Pagwatch · 11/05/2011 16:01

I think so. I usually do.
But never ever pay everything until the work is complete to your agreed spec.

slavewife · 11/05/2011 16:01

yes, however ask to see all receipts.

bluepaws · 11/05/2011 16:03

yes you have to pay some for materials upfront usually

Beachedbabe · 11/05/2011 16:03

Is he trustworthy with good references or has been recommended by someone you trust? If so then I would say yes it is reasonable. Cash flow can be a big problem for small businesses and self employed tradesmen. However, if he is just a number from yellow pages I would tread carefully and perhaps offer to get materials yourself if he gives you a list say you can pay when he gives you a copy of the invoice from builders merchants.

TheMonster · 11/05/2011 16:03

I thought it was a no-no to pay up front.

ImeldaM · 11/05/2011 16:03

Don't think so, sometimes they ask for some after doing maybe half of the work but not before AFAIK

Butterbur · 11/05/2011 16:04

I think it's reasonable, and common, for a small builder to ask for money up front for materials. I've always paid it without questionning it.

Does £720 seem about right? Can you ask for quotes/invoices/ a breakdown if you think it's too much?

ExitPursuedByALamb · 11/05/2011 16:04

Thought you were going to say he wanted all the money up front Shock

Paying for materials is normal imo, but make sure you do not pay him the full amount until after he has finished and you are happy with the work.

AnyFucker · 11/05/2011 16:04

yes, reasonable to ask for some money upfront if he is paying for materials (the amount seems ok here)

the alternative is to buy them yourself and pay for labour aferwards

was he recommended by someone ?

BecauseImWorthIt · 11/05/2011 16:04

I don't think it's unreasonable to be asked to pay for materials - but you should insist on seeing receipts for the goods.

Never, ever, pay the final balance until the work is completed and it's completed to your satisfaction.

LucretiaInShadows · 11/05/2011 16:05

Yes, apparently it is. I had some work done a couple of years ago and was very surprised and suspicious to be asked to pay upfront, but the builder was recommended by a good friend, and my dad, who knows about these things, reassured me that it is usual.

fairydoll · 11/05/2011 16:05

No! DH is a builder and would never ask for money up front.Tradesmaen get 1 month of credit fom their suppliers so there is no need.

sunshineandshowers13 · 11/05/2011 16:06

yes i would. they need it for materials etc and if small business cash flow can be a stumbling block (dh works for v v v small one). dont pay the rest until totally happy with the finished result though Smile

AnyFucker · 11/05/2011 16:06

Grin at polarised opinions

fairydoll · 11/05/2011 16:07

.. if you do pay upfront make sure the materials are on site first.

Original poster
Finallyspring · 11/05/2011 16:08

Thanks for the reponses. He asked by email, which means I have it in writing. I'll also ask for a receipt for my payment. Not for the materials though. I do assume that builders mrk prices up slightly

OP posts:
FabbyChic · 11/05/2011 16:09

You always pay for materials up front generally. Builders make their money on materials around 25%

nijinsky · 11/05/2011 16:09

I don't. Stage payments yes, but not upfront, no. I wouldn't use a builder that needed to be paid upfront.

EvenLessNarkyPuffin · 11/05/2011 16:10

It is normal to pay some in advance. How much depends on the work. If it were a longer project, there would be specified payments on set dates over the course of the job.

If you have a final price, presumably you have a breakdown of the costs? Does £720 sound reasonable? How long is the work supposed to take? I would suggest 3 payments of £500, one in advance, one once you've seen the materials and they've gotten well into the work and one at the end when they've completed the work to your satisfaction and dealt with any snags. That might not be practical if they need to spend more up front though.

Original poster
Finallyspring · 11/05/2011 16:12

Oh dear. Very mixed responses. Still don't know what to do !

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 11/05/2011 16:14

was he recommended by someone you trust ? That counts for an awful lot

have you had other quotes ?

zikes · 11/05/2011 16:14

Do you know anyone who's used this builder? Does he have a waiting list (I believe if they can start immediately it's usually a bad sign Smile)? I only know what Dominic Littlewood says...

EvenLessNarkyPuffin · 11/05/2011 16:17

Do you still have a cheque book? Tell him you want the materials kept at your house. Write a cheque. If they're not there within 24 hours, cancel the cheque.

FabbyChic · 11/05/2011 16:19

My dad worked for himself for 40 years and all Clients/Customers always paid for materials up front. Always.

This is a little guy not some limited company with huge resources.

Pay him for the materials ONCE they are on site. Then when you are happy with the rest of the job pay him the rest.