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.

We've only ever paid for staged completion, alongside details of insurance, personal recommendations we actually visit.

I would only ever pay a few hundred pounds maximum for materials. He absolutely does not need 50% of the cost upfront for materials. Be very very wary of any tradesman asking for so much before they have done any work. And I’m sorry to say - roofers are thecworst of the worst in my experience. They can do what they like on your roof because the customer can’t check. I had an absolute horror story with a rogue trader ‘roofer’ some years ago. He was on Checkatrade and just kept changing the company name every time he was busted, had been in prison for defrauding pensioners and everything. Checkatrade refused to do anything about it when I reported him.

Only ever use a roofer who has been personally recommended to you by someone you know well.

Sole traders are not on Companies House so might not show up but still be a legit business.

I'd pay for materials to be delivered to my home but not pay cash up front. I'd pay some half way through the job. When we had the loft conversion done we had a contact drawn up and we paid X amount each month. With final payment after snagging.

We had a roofer ask for this.Turned up suspiciously promptly to give a quote.Same day I rang.And was able to do the job within 2 weeks but wanted 50%.It was a big job.Whole roof.I had mistakenly contacted him thinking it was the same company a neighbour had used a couple of years ago.Charming as he was alarm bells rang.Found him online after further scrolling and turns out he'd been in prison for fraudulent trading.Then set up under a different name.The eventually roofer we got was great. And didn't expect any payment until we were totally satisfied. We paid the day he finished
Please be very wary.

Firstly it's a low price for just fixing the roof and this is your only post @NimbleBee

You need to be clear what needs fixing.

Secondly have you got other quotes, recommendations?

Can I ask what should be on an invoice for a complete new roof? Also I have chips in the ceiling which I was not told about and told oh yes I should have mentioned that!