Roofer wants 50% money upfront

[NimbleBee]

Been quoted 3k for some one to come and fix my roof. The man wants 50% of the money upfront before any work even starts.
Is this right as I don't feel comfortable giving money. I have always give money once job is completed.

A lot of businesses ask for half the cost to be paid upfront. This is not unusual.

If he needs material, supplies etc then not unusual with payment due on completion

No way. Any good tradespeople would have accounts with suppliers and/or their bank. You run the risk of him disappearing with your money and no work started.

One man band or large company with office, secretary etc?

Look him up on companieshouse to see how much debt he has.

I have to say other than when I've hired large companies with office and secretary, everytime I've paid anything upfront to a small company I've had them not come back after the first day.

Nope. Had a new roof a few years ago. Around 6K. Nothing upfront. I certainly wouldn't pay 50%.

This. No chance would I be paying anything upfront.

Good trades people also spend a lot of time chasing customers for payment. 50% upfront is reasonable. If you're not comfortable, then find many different roofer.

It is. I have had loads of work done on my house over the years. Never paid anything upfront. Sometimes something halfway through, but mostly not asked for anything until job is done.

This. I absolutely expect to pay a certain amount up front when building an extension or roof for example.

• a different roofer!. Not sure where the any came from.

Depends - someone man bands do. We did with one guy and he ended up walking half way through the job.

And they run the risk of not being paid for their work.

Just don't. You will never see them again or you will get a crappy job.

Not even for materials?

So basically he is asking for you for 1.5 k upfront surely he has funds if he is a businessman to fund this himself til finished? I wouldn't be happy with this either and would only pay when job is finished

I wouldn't pay up front either. I would be willing to pay half once they have completed half the job just in case they have a cash flow problem but the remainder wouldn't be paid until I was satisfied with the completed job.

I’ve just employed several good tradespeople who required some money upfront (usually half). It covers materials and their labour. The balance is paid once finished. If you put as little as £20 on a credit card to make this deposit and get a receipt saying it’s a deposit you are full covered by your bank if a disaster happens. The tradesperson will need a credit card machine.

Maybe it’s a regional thing. Good builders with availability are like hens teeth in London, so not unusual to pay a deposit to secure their time essentially.

50% up front is fairly normal in my experience

The company I work for wouldn’t start work on, or buy materials for anything without a 50% deposit.

I would be happy(ish) with 10% upfront to confirm my commitment, but no more. I also wouldn't offer a final payment until the job is complete.

This is quite normal to pay for materials. If it's the roof then this will be scaffolding.

BUT... make sure you have the builders FULL details e.g. name, business name, business address. And a receipt for the money you paid with this info on.

Do your due diligence, research him, look for reviews that are genuine etc...

(that way, should there be a problem, you have someone to chase for the money)

No, never!

Yes, it could be. I am in Wales. Maybe different elsewhere.

Yes normal , we've just paid 40% deposit for a new roof ... quote and acknowledgment of 40% has all been in writing .

We've just finished renovating a derelict property. It needed everything from a new roof, kitchen, bathrooms, re-wiring, new pipework +++.

Not 1 of the 20+ tradespeople we used asked for payment upfront! I'd be concerned why they don't have an account with the local building suppliers? Do you have a contract of when the next payment will be due? He might ask for full payment before its completed!

Maybe it is regional? We are coastal, SE.