Wardrobe fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

parkmagic said:
Explain what you mean Padraifb please?
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I think he means (and I may be wrong) that the installer may belive you are hassle, A, you will pay a bare minimum or B you won't pay at all when job is done. A or B means installer getting knocked by another customer that rips a small business off.
From a small business prospective,, sometimes it is better to walk away from a potential problem than taking that risk.

Communication is key here, voice your concerns to installer and go from there.
I assume you know this guy's reputation?
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

Padraigb said:
I'm trying to see this from the point of view of the fitter, from a "well known if small company". .
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Times have changed quickly , Padraigb .........last year this 'well known small company ' would have got away with a 50 % deposit and balance on completion ...................but people are quite right to be wary in this current climate
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

DavyJones said:
I think he means (and I may be wrong) that the installer may belive you are hassle, A, you will pay a bare minimum or B you won't pay at all when job is done. A or B means installer getting knocked by another customer that rips a small business off.
From a small business prospective,, sometimes it is better to walk away from a potential problem than taking that risk.

Communication is key here, voice your concerns to installer and go from there.
I assume you know this guy's reputation?
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Agree with this alright,

Have made up my mind will give the five grand a few days before he starts and trust my instinct.

Thanks all for helping me tease this out.
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

allthedoyles said:
Times have changed quickly , Padraigb .........last year this 'well known small company ' would have got away with a 50 % deposit and balance on completion ...................but people are quite right to be wary in this current climate
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How do you mean "get away with"?. If it's a "well known small company" chances are you will have a home address and number of installer.

Using your logic, why on earth would a sole trader take a chance on spending money out of their own pocket if there was a chance you would not pay?

OP, Pay him the 50% when materials have been dropped on site, and again communication is key.
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

10% is too low but I think you should negotiate stage payments....you want the robes and I'm sure the fitter wants the work so it shouldnt be too difficult to reach a compromise. Other option would be to have one room done at a time.....money could also be held by a solicitor and released as robes are finished but this will incur another fee.
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

parkmagic said:
Explain what you mean Padraifb please?
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In every transaction, there is risk taken by both sides. The risk is that one side or the other will not complete the contract satisfactorily. The supplier is trying to limit his risk by asking for a deposit: that transfers some of the risk to you. The core issue is how much of the risk the supplier bears, and how much of it you bear. If you take the position that you will accept a risk up to only €1,000, then the supplier is being asked to take a risk of of €9,000. He might decide that it is not worth his while.

[I composed this answer before I noticed that the discussion had moved on to page 2. I think DavyJones' interpretation is also good, and note that OP has made a decision.]
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

unfortunately with customised oders such as yours, his point of view is that if for any reason that you change your mind or cannot go ahead he is left with a load of wardrobes that will be of no use to him, you could state your fears of companies folding due to present climate and nothing personal of course, and say that you will lodge 5000 with solicitor to be paid on delivery of said items
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

earlier post said"
It's fairly standard to pay for the materials up front as (especially small companies) can't afford the cash flow. Can you pay by credit card ? If not, agree to pay for the materials when they are delivered to your property...at least that way, you'll have the goods even if they can't complete the work"
I would agree so long as the deposit, does not exceed 205 OF THE OVERALL COST OF THE JOB ie 2k.
In fairness, if the supplier cannot agree to this he is probable less abusiness and more a sole trader
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

I also look for 50% deposit before I start any job.
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

skingtile said:
unfortunately with customised oders such as yours...
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How do you know it's a 'customised' job?

No mention of that by the OP.

The job could easily involve completely standard pieces/sizes/fittings etc.
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

Caveat said:
How do you know it's a 'customised' job?

No mention of that by the OP.

The job could easily involve completely standard pieces/sizes/fittings etc.
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by reason of probability, if every house was built exactly the same and if everyone was to pick the same finish you would not have to order them, you would be able to go to any of the various stores and just buy them. with a fitting job being basically diy. it is better the world to think you a fool than to open your mouth and prove them right .a bit of fun .
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

skingtile said:
by reason of probability, if every house was built exactly the same and if everyone was to pick the same finish you would not have to order them, you would be able to go to any of the various stores and just buy them. with a fitting job being basically diy. it is better the world to think you a fool than to open your mouth and prove them right .a bit of fun .
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It is a customised job alright. Am having the wardrobes fitted in a week an a half will up date all then.
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

I have a business that fits kitchens and wardrobes (one of them) and i'd really love to know what planet some of the previous posters live. the fitter has asked fr a 50% deposit , OK, not as much as i would ask for (30%) is more the norm, but these arent normal times.Ask your bank manager, NO banks and i mean NO banks are extending any credit, loans or overdrafts to any company in any way related to the construction industry. That has a knock on effect on credit terms given by suppliers. ASK anyone in any business today and they'll tell you how much extra resources their putting into chasing bad debts or late payers.Your job is valued at €10k he's asked you for half ie €5k He's not making €5k profit i doubt hes even making €2k when you consider the time it takes 1, to sell 2, to make 3, to install 4, to get paid d 5 most important to as im sure DAVEY JONES will testify, to gaurantee.Dont forget he has to trustthat you have theother €5k and that YOU are not one of the chancers that want a €10k w/robe done for €5k
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

APOLOGIES if i was alittle over the top on the previous post but ive been done too.
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

WIFESLIST said:
I have a business that fits kitchens and wardrobes (one of them) and i'd really love to know what planet some of the previous posters live. the fitter has asked fr a 50% deposit , OK, not as much as i would ask for (30%) is more the norm, but these arent normal times.Ask your bank manager, NO banks and i mean NO banks are extending any credit, loans or overdrafts to any company in any way related to the construction industry. That has a knock on effect on credit terms given by suppliers. ASK anyone in any business today and they'll tell you how much extra resources their putting into chasing bad debts or late payers.Your job is valued at €10k he's asked you for half ie €5k He's not making €5k profit i doubt hes even making €2k when you consider the time it takes 1, to sell 2, to make 3, to install 4, to get paid d 5 most important to as im sure DAVEY JONES will testify, to gaurantee.Dont forget he has to trustthat you have theother €5k and that YOU are not one of the chancers that want a €10k w/robe done for €5k
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All true. We used to start work on 10% deposits, but no longer. We now now do 20/40/40 the last 40 being on delivery. Too much time is involved trying to collect money for jobs completed, and all suppliers have now tightened up credit, so no wriggle room left.
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

i know this is probably a bit to late for you but as a trades man my self but not in the business discussed. we normally look for 30% up front on jobs over 5k marginally lower if the the job is under this bracket, then 30% when half installed 30% when fully installed and 10% 3-4 weeks after completion if agreeable by installer. make sure you have a fully compleated contract and signed by both partys.
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

i think 10k for 5 fitted wardrobes is madness. and i do have some experience in a related area.
 
Re: Fitter wants 50% deposit before starting work should I give it to him?

perhaps i am lucky,
but i have had lots of work done by wood specialists and fitted by good tradesmen all bespoke work with decent oaks & other hard woods, and i get way more for my money than what you are getting. and that was a year and a half since my last works project (ie, boom time)
 
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