[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by angiefox10

Of course a contractor would request a deposit upfront. That goes for anything. Most of the jobs done in The Villages are custom jobs and require custom materials.

A contractor would also require a deposit to assure that after they order the material the buyer doesn't change their minds.

Requesting a deposit isn't just something done in The Villages... Contractors all over the US require deposits.

There is only one contractor that I've hired, in The Villages, who didn't require a deposit and that was Mansfield Landscaping. All others do.

wait a minute you work for Mansfield....you did state that on the forum!

[jimbo2012]

Angies list says avoid contractors looking for $$ up front

see the article

[CFrance]

We've never paid a deposit up front on any work we've had done here.

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by CFrance

We've never paid a deposit up front on any work we've had done here.

There are many many people who do. For some reason they get sucked into the sales pitch. A lawyer told me something a long time ago.
If they can say it, They can write it. Protect yourself.

[angiefox10]

I paid a deposit to The Villages before they would build my home, Pikes Electric before they would order my lights, to Nickel Tile before they would order my back splash, Michelle's Hide a Way, the people who put the drawers in under my cabinet and the custom cabinet maker before he built my murphy bed. I had no problem with it and felt pretty secure they were mostly making sure that I had skin in the game before they bought the supplies to do the work.

I don't work for Mansfield Landscaping.. But for the sake of argument... let's say I do.... He still doesn't take any money up front. To my knowledge... he's the only landscaper who doesn't. (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong)

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by angiefox10

I paid a deposit to The Villages before they would build my home, Pikes Electric before they would order my lights, to Nickel Tile before they would order my back splash, Michelle's Hide a Way, the people who put the drawers in under my cabinet and the custom cabinet maker before he built my murphy bed. I had no problem with it and felt pretty secure they were mostly making sure that I had skin in the game before they bought the supplies to do the work.

I don't work for Mansfield Landscaping.. But for the sake of argument... let's say I do.... He still doesn't take any money up front. To my knowledge... he's the only landscaper who doesn't. (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong)

Not true. Jamie's didn't take any $ up front for our landscaping, Brandon didn't take any $ up front for our friends'. This was in 2011 and 2012. Stellar didn't want $ up front for our landscaping (we didn't use him), and neither did one other landscaping co. we got an estimate from, whose name I cannot remember.

We had living and dining room tiled, lanai tiled, front walk bricked, extra lock security work done, and electrical work done in the lanai. We paid up front for none of it.

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Not true. Jamie's didn't take any $ up front for our landscaping, Brandon didn't take any $ up front for our friends'. This was in 2011 and 2012. Stellar didn't want $ up front for our landscaping (we didn't use him), and neither did one other landscaping co. we got an estimate from, whose name I cannot remember.

We had living and dining room tiled, lanai tiled, front walk bricked, extra lock security work done, and electrical work done in the lanai. We paid up front for none of it.

Thank you for your response, I wasn't sure about the landscapers. I was clearly guessing.

[john1953]

I would never pay up front for any kind of service,I`ve learned my lesson from being burnt before.A quality contractor of any sorts will wait til the job is finished to get paid.If you are forced at least use your credit card that way if something does go wrong you can dispute the charge.I`ve done this before.

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Any contractor who can't cover their materials is under-capitalized and isn't someone you should hire.

jimbo is absolutely right!!