50% deposit

[MinniesAndMickeysNeedCounting]

We need to have some repairs done to our roof, the companies whose quote we accepted have asked for a 50% deposit up front.
Does this seem unusual?
Job total under £1000

I have literally nothing to base this on but yes. They need to buy materials and pay labour on the day. Seems reasonable?

No, l wouldn’t. My employer don’t pay me before l do any work.

@EL8888

No, l wouldn’t. My employer don’t pay me before l do any work.

Does your work involve buying materials?

@chukwe no materials per se. But l fork out money on things to enable my work e.g. professional subscriptions, 000’s in train fares, work clothes etc

I'm torn because they gave a good impression when they quoted, 50% just seems a high deposit.
We've had large building jobs in the past and no money exchanged hands until the job was done.
New windows, we paid a deposit for that but much smaller percentage and less than the company was paying out to the manufacturer.

Also if ALL the companies are asking for the deposit upfront it doesn't seem unusual?

Also to answer a pp lots of people get paid before they complete work - lots of people who get paid mid month or before the end of the month.

Had 2 quotes, one asking for deposit, other one didn't mention it.
They would have to buy some materials up front but not to the value of 50%

I’ve never paid anything upfront especially for small repairs. On big jobs, I just got the materials in myself and paid for labour in stages.

My builder wanted a really big deposit up front. I just haggled him down.

Tell them they can have the cost of the materials (doubt it's 50%) or around 25% as soon as the materials are in your drive and the job is started.

I've never paid anything in advance - with our thatch roof it originally said a third in advance but they didn't charge that until they were here starting work. In that case I wouldn't have minded as knew reputable. I have bought materials in advance myself though always my choice, not been asked to.

I'ld be wary if you don't know company. I would buy materials or give say a third early on in work when could see some progress but not before starting unless I was certain they were trustworthy.