Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Bonkers to offer to pay a deposit for small kitchen project?

4 replies

lucieciel83 · 03/05/2020 10:22

Do you think it's mad to offer to pay a deposit to a kitchen fitter I haven't used before (and hasn't asked for it) for some work I'm hoping to get done asap when it's allowed??

He came to quote the week before we went into lockdown. I haven't heard back from him with the quote although at the time he seemed interested and gave an indication of dates. I should have followed up before now but been such a weird time!

I've no idea how much it will be but it's not a whole kitchen installation - just moving one unit, installing a dishwasher, replacing some of the cupboard fronts and panels. I've been wanting to get it done for ages (we need a dishwasher...being in the whole time is constant washing up!) and I have all the new fronts etc in the spare room since Feb and am worried that when we're finally out of lockdown, after losing so much work, fitters will only be interested in bigger jobs.

Feel a bit selfish with this minor problem as I'm lucky to still have permanent job and really feel for self-employed contracters. But will be frustrated if have to wait months after normality to get it done.

So wondering if it's worth emailing the guy to ask if he's still interested in doing the job at some point and [not sure of wording] say I'd be happy to pay a deposit towards it as understand it must be a difficult time and want to secure a booking?? Worried it might seem a bit offensive/laughable as shouldn't be more then 2 to 3 days work so I wouldn't want to pay deposit of more than e.g. £300. And may be risky and bonkers??

OP posts:
Kingjarvis · 03/05/2020 10:27

It’s allowed just now so I’d do it

Muchlywrong · 03/05/2020 10:38

Don't be offering to be a deposit yet. Just give him a call or send him an email, stressing how keen you are to get the job booked in for a time suitable to him.

lucieciel83 · 03/05/2020 11:24

Thank you! Needed a sanity check...

OP posts:
Muchlywrong · 03/05/2020 13:47

Don't think you're the first or the last to worry about getting these bits done at the moment. No one really knows what is going to happen or when, so we're all in a bit of limbo. I'm sure if he's a sole trader, he'll be happy to have a job like this to do, once it is more certain that he or you are less likely to be passing something on.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page