paying to secure a date for work

[Roobedo]

Hi, hope this is the right place to post this. I need to have my courtyard garden repaved and drainage put in place to stop water flooding into the house. I have managed to get 1 company to quote and they want me to play over £500 to secure the date for work to begin. If I don't pay they wont do the work. Is this how things are done? I've never paid a deposit for a builder to start, have offered to pay the deposit the day work starts but this has been turned down. Any advice?

In my very limited experience, we paid a 25% deposit to 'book' the work, with the balance payable on completion of the work. I didn't query it as it seemed reasonable. No idea if it is the norm?

Do you have a written quote and payment schedule from them? I've known trades to want funds upfront for materials - usually a proportion of what they've quoted for the job.

Is this money in addition to their quote? Will they provide a receipt? Is it refundable if they don't turn up on the agreed date?

Yes, you need a detailed specification with staged payments, but a deposit isn’t U.

Unless that money is on top of the quote then it's not U for them to want a deposit/a % of monies upfront in order to buy materials for the job. My DP does it sometimes if the quote is a substantial amount, for materials and to cover his back in case they cancel/push back the job so he doesn't lose out.
But definitely make sure the deposit is taken away from the total amount and get a receipt for it.

thanks caffeineaddict994. I thought it was for materials, but it appears to only 'secure the date' and to be paid by bank transfer.

I think it’s a reasonable request to secure the date with a deposit. Otherwise, you could change your mind the day they’re due to start and they could be out of pocket for materials and without a job for the next week or so

it's more common to pay for materials delivered to site.

What do you get for your £500? What will you do if you don't get it?

If they arrive on the stated day, but leave at lunchtime to go to another job, does that count as "starting work?"

How long has this company been is business (with the current directors)? Have there been other companies with similar names or directors that have gone out of business?
www.gov.uk/get-information-about-a-company

Do they have local premises? Have you seen them?

Have you ever met one of their past customers (who isn't their brother or mum)?

Did no other company want to quote? Maybe the market is really tight where you are so they want to guarantee the work will proceed but it does put you at risk of losing the deposit if they go bust etc. I would try to get additional quotes before committing if you can BUT beware of anyone who can do a job instanly, if every other company is flat out you probs don't want to one who has nothing lined up unless there's a very good reason for it (speaking from experience).