[Lauren]

Hey everyone,

We've had a few questions come in from the blog with regards to paying for materials upfront. I know we've had some conversations on this previously so please see a recent question below:

A joiner I engaged through Checkatrade has asked for money for materials up front, is this normal practice? Since I only have his telephone number I feel vulnerable in this situation. However I don’t want to sour the relationship by challenging him if this is usual practice.

What are your thoughts on this? Is this related to the price increase of materials? Do you normally charge for materials before, and if so, how do you go about it?

Comment below any thoughts and feedback. Thanks! 😊

[Gareth Styles]

Hi

No please do not give money upfront - instead offer to buy the materials needed or set up a payment scheme at agreed intervals after work that is completed

Cheers

Gareth

[Antony James roofing]

Never give money upfront. Some large jobs may require scheduled payments but that is only for very high value works and even these require works to be carried out before any payment is made.

[Chris11]

Originally Posted by Lauren

... Since I only have his telephone number I feel vulnerable in this situation. ...

This raises more questions!

1. Do you have the joiner's own number or just Checkatrade's managed number?
2. Is the joiner a fully checked current member of Checkatrade - for how long and what are the comments on the reviews?
3. Do you have a quote/estimate?
4. If the quote/estimate is verbal, could you ask for a written version? This should provide address etc.
5. Does he have any other online presence apart from Checkatrade? eg his own website, other reviews.
6. Has he provided terms & conditions?
7. Has he suggested stage payments?

If the customer is concerned about souring a relationship, it sounds as though communications need to be improved anyway. I would strongly recommend getting everything in writing, perhaps via email so you have evidence of your mutual understanding and agreement.

If all this is in place and he asks for an initial payment up front, then this will enable him to buy the materials for your project. Bear in mind that if you don't trust him, perhaps he won't trust you to make the final payments?

PS @Lauren - sorry haven't read the blog, perhaps you could edit your post to include a link?

[Phil Hagan]

Phil Hagan W T Hagan & Sons plumbers
We don’t ask for money up front. We price the work and give a fixed firm amount for the work,as we have been trading since 1947 and still a family run business we know exactly what to charge and know how the job will work out including any pit falls Phil Hagan

[Olivia Scammell]

@Chris11Hi Chris, are you happy for me to post your comment on a blog post with your name and company name please?

[Olivia Scammell]

@Phil Hagan Hi Phil, are you happy for me to post your comment on our blog post with your name and business name please?

[Olivia Scammell]

@Antony James roofing Hi Antony, are you happy for me to post your comment on our blog with your name and business name please?

[Olivia Scammell]

@Gareth Styles Hi Gareth, are you happy for me to post your comment on our blog with your name and business name please?

[Gareth Styles]

Hi yes that’s absolutely no problems

kind regards


Gareth