Plumber wants half the money up front?

[spikey78]

I had a shower pump fitted by some dickwad from trust a trader. He wanted some cash up front for parts which seemed a bit odd, but I couldn't get anyone else so went for it.
Should've gone with my gut instinct, he was a st plumber and did a st job despite having good reviews.
Wouldn't use again

[anonymous-user]

When doing my renovation the only ones that asked for money up front were the ones I got to quote from the likes of check a trade. Any tradesman or women worth their salt will not requite a penny up front. Why should they? Trade accounts have 30 days on them, if they can't get credit or don't have the funds in the business to fund such a small amount that should tell you everything you need to know. Staged payments are fine (eg, 1st fix, 2nd fix). I had one joker "builder" tell me his terms were 50% up front. Yeah right, fk off! The builder we went with didn't ask for a penny until the ground work was done. That is how we started and that is how we finished. Btw, out of the whole project (basically building a whole house in the end, actually more work as we had to take down what was there) the only trade that was a complete headache were the plumbers. Even the builder couldn't recommend a decent one. They got it done in the end though even if they did try & charge for their fks up's & time on site when they weren't even here.

[Spudler]

Dave_ST220 said:

Any tradesman or women worth their salt will not requite a penny up front. Why should they? Trade accounts have 30 days on them, if they can't get credit or don't have the funds in the business to fund such a small amount that should tell you everything you need to know.

That's not the reason trades/builders ask for a percentage on commencement.

Until ones been in the position of being stung by 'professional non-payers' you won't understand.
For builders especially, it costs money just to start the works.
It's all about the trust.
A payment on the first day is fine, but more of a token % should keep both parties happy.

[anonymous-user]

Spudler said:

Dave_ST220 said:

Any tradesman or women worth their salt will not requite a penny up front. Why should they? Trade accounts have 30 days on them, if they can't get credit or don't have the funds in the business to fund such a small amount that should tell you everything you need to know.

That's not the reason trades/builders ask for a percentage on commencement.

Until ones been in the position of being stung by 'professional non-payers' you won't understand.
For builders especially, it costs money just to start the works.
It's all about the trust.
A payment on the first day is fine, but more of a token % should keep both parties happy.

I fully understand that. My builder got stung in the past, he still didn't ask for a penny up front. Back to the OP, if there are a grands worth of materials then tell him you'll pay him his grand when the merchants deliver the parts to your site, there & then.

I've been in business over 15 years and have never asked for any money up front, not been stung for anything yet either. I happened to mention to the plumber that did the work in the end that others had been asking for money up front. His face & reply said it all

[Jasandjules]

Pay him for materials on delivery IMHO