Builder help/dispute over deposit

[Paperplain]

Apologies first of all for typos as on phone...

We are overseas and rent out house out. Arranged via our agents for builder to do works on our roof for 7,300. Felt it was an expensive quote but needed the works doing. He wanted a 60% upfront deposit which we thought was too much for a week and a bits work. We agreed at 30%.

He then came back after 4 days asking for another 30%. I asked for breakdown of costs and agreed to pay another 10%. He is now demanding the balance (due to finish this Friday) or threatening to pull the job. I've said that I will pay the suppliers directly but as i am overseas and not there and given the job is short I just feel that 60% to h is just too much.

AIBU 1 should I just cough up? What if I dint and he pulls the job??

Arrgghhh.

Yup that crossed my mind too. He's offering a 15 year guarantee on the roof - I've asked to see the form but he's just said he will give it to me when he's finished. If he folds of course then it's worthless.

I've jud5 had my roof done and didn't pay a penny until all work was complete!

for larger jobs 1k+ so far we have been good with the 3rds rule. for one job (bathroom) we paid all materials ourselves via the builder's account.

but our builders have been recommended from friends and neighbours. it must be really difficult dealing with this from afar.

Purple, it's so upsetting as his emails as just so rude and I can't sleep knowing there might be one from him (different time zone). Just don't know what to do for the best as I want the job done and don't want to be Unreasonable but he is just so rude and unreasonable himself. Have asked a friend to go and have a look and will email the agent again and I'm not dealing with him directly any more. Not paying a penny more until someone has taken a look at the work and what's been done so far - would it be unreasonable of me to ask for invoices for costs incurred so far?