New kitchen - kitchen company want full balance paid before delivery

[Puffthemagicdragongoestobed]

We are getting our new kitchen delivered next week. We have already paid 50% of the balance when we ordered it. Now the kitchen company has asked for the full balance to be paid prior to delivery.
Is this normal? We are worried handing over such a huge amount of money before seeing a single cupboard. Also, it includes the cost of the worktop, which obviously will still have to be measured for and made.
Just wondering how it worked for others. Bought our previous kitchen at IKEA and paid there and then when picking up all the cupboards.
This is a small kitchen company, not sure if that makes a difference.
Would it be reasonable to pay for everything except the worktop yet, just to have that little bit of leverage in case something goes wrong?

Pay with your credit card so you're protected.

I would be concerned but it is increasingly the normal. I need to pay for 90% of cost of windows before they are delivered and installed.
I don't like it at all but I guess they end up chasing payment otherwise.

As above we paid 50% deposit on windows when we ordered, 40% before fitting and the final 10% when we were happy with the job. However this was a local company with good reviews who had done work for friends etc.
Maybe check trustpilot etc? Or ask to hold back 10%?

Are they installing it? If so I wouldn't be keen on paying the whole lot in case anything doesn't fit right. To be fair to a small company though I would offer 90%.

Completely normal with a kitchen- pay with credit card.
Well known company?

We paid about 90% before installation and the final little bit just after it was finished. Also small local company. It is a bit worrying but I do understand.

Of course it's normal. You wouldn't pay for labour until the work was complete to your satisfaction but you've ordered a kitchen, surely you're not expecting to pay for said kitchen when the work is complete.

Also you paid the deposit. If the company is reputable then it would have been made clear when the balance was due to be paid. You went forward on this basis.

Check the reviews. If it's a reputable company it should be fine.

Thanks all. I will see if I can pay with credit card.