Surely we need to sign a contract for this work?

[KlaraSundown]

We are about to start major refurbishment of a property we own. A builder that my DH is quite familiar with has given us a very reasonable quote and we’d like his team to start very soon. He’s asked me to pay him just over £17,000 upfront for materials though, the rest being £12,000 for labour paid at the end.

He’s supplied a quote itemising what materials he needs to buy, but I would have thought that surely we need to also sign some sort of contract as well for that sort of money. Otherwise surely he can just walk off with the money and we would have no legal claim?

You'd have a legal claim, in that you'd have an oral contract. Only certain contracts have to be in writing (examples include wills or the transfer of rights relating to land). The quote is in writing and if you're paying the sums by bank transfer, there'll be a record of that. It doesn't seem like it would be difficult to prove that the money was paid for the fulfilment of work quoted for.

Ah thanks - that's helpful. My DH is saying I'm being difficult!

@Precipice by bank transfer do you mean paying him via online banking, as I would normally?

For that money I'd want I fully itemised schedule of works setting out exactly what the builder will be doing so there is no dispute later about what you expected from him.
Yes you can have a verbal contract but having things in writing is much safer should they be a dispute later.
You could draw up your own schedule of what you understand the builder will be doing and email it to him for confirmation that you all agree.

Try posting this question on the legal thread. You'll get more informed responses there.

(Ps. Your DH is being daft gambling with that sorry if money IMHO.)

We were advised to order the materials ourselves so that you own them if anything goes wrong. Our builder merchant was happy to do this and pass on the builder’s discounts to us.