[Michael G.]

Nothing upsets me more than hiring a service company that insist on payment
before the job is started.
Even for 1 or 2 year contracts need to be paid before any work is started.

If there are materials to be ordered, yes then maybe a part of that expense.

I send many nice company's/people packing when they ask for payment up front.

Do your job, show me what you can do, then we'll talk payment with maybe a tip.

What your thoughts on this?

Cheers!

[retiredguy123]

Never, never, never, not ever, pay money in advance for work. The only time I would pay for materials is if they are custom materials that cannot be restocked. And, only if the contractor will accept a credit card that can be disputed if the custom materials are not delivered within 60 days. If the contractor won't agree to these conditions, I will find another contractor who will. There are plenty of them.

[retiredguy123]

True story. I built a luxury house in Savannah, Georgia about 35 years ago and hired all the subs and workers myself. I had a good painter, but he drank a lot and didn't have any money. So, I stopped by the house every afternoon, and gave him some cash based on what he had completed that day. He did a good job, and I sold the house for a nice profit. But, if I had paid all the subs and workers in advance, I think I would still be building that house.

[jebartle]

Only once did we mistakenly pay landscaper while finishing job, $100 lesson learned

[MartinSE]

Completely agree. For construction projects, like enclosing the Lanai I expect there are upfront costs, and maybe some of that could be covered. But not more than 1/3 and I struggle to go that high. I think there are a lot of good honest contractors working in TV, but I also KNOW (from personal experience) there are some not so honest or good.

Buyer beware.

[Stu from NYC]

Learned that lesson after hiring contractor to build a set of capt beds. Still waiting on him to do the work after giving him money to purchase lumber.

[MrFlorida]

Never pay up front.

[Michael G.]

Do you think their afraid that people in TV won't like their work, and they wouldn't get Payed?

I just don't like money's being paid upfront.

[Garywt]

Up north when hiring a contract many ask for 1/3 when you sign the contract, 1/3 on they show up to start and 1/3 when done. We had our roof done and paid 100% when the job was done.

[Dsalmiery]

Originally Posted by jebartle

Only once did we mistakenly pay landscaper while finishing job, $100 lesson learned

Lesson of $1700 learned here. The job was $3500 and we paid half in advance- never saw him again.

[banjobob]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Nothing upsets me more than hiring a service company that insist on payment
before the job is started.
Even for 1 or 2 year contracts need to be paid before any work is started.

If there are materials to be ordered, yes then maybe a part of that expense.

I send many nice company's/people packing when they ask for payment up front.

Do your job, show me what you can do, then we'll talk payment with maybe a tip.

What your thoughts on this?

Cheers!

I agree if money up front is required , check the company your are dealing with. We had a large birdcage built and a full roof replaced, neither company required up front money. Same happened with our granite kitchen and bath counter tops. Check who you are doing business with.

[jimkerr]

Never pay upfront, but if you must, use a credit card.

[me4vt]

In today’s changing prices and People dropping from the Chinese Flu, contractors need the insurance that they’ll get what they have invested in a project. I’m having a $53,000 project built and I’m paying at certain points of the project until it’s completed!!

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Nothing upsets me more than hiring a service company that insist on payment
before the job is started.
Even for 1 or 2 year contracts need to be paid before any work is started.

If there are materials to be ordered, yes then maybe a part of that expense.

I send many nice company's/people packing when they ask for payment up front.

Do your job, show me what you can do, then we'll talk payment with maybe a tip.

What your thoughts on this?

Cheers!

[me4vt]

In today’s changing prices and People dropping from the Chinese Flu, contractors need the insurance that they’ll get what they have invested in a project. I’m having a $53,000 project built and I’m paying at certain points of the project until it’s completed!!

[bobeaston]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Nothing upsets me more than hiring a service company that insist on payment
before the job is started.

Simple. Don't hire them.