I'm in the middle of a big kitchen and yard remodel, and I just got a bid from my contractor. She's asking for 100% payment upfront because she'll be out of town for the next month. A family member had a good experience with her, but I'm feeling uneasy about this payment structure. Is asking for full payment upfront common? Should I be worried about this?
3 Answers
Paying 100% upfront is definitely a major red flag. Most contractors will ask for a deposit and then payments at certain milestones, usually around a third for the initial deposit and the rest split between progress and final payment. This setup ensures they stay motivated to complete the work.
Exactly! It's all about keeping the contractor incentivized to finish the job. If they ask for all the money at once, it raises serious concerns.
You should absolutely be concerned. It’s not standard practice to pay that much before any work is started. Most people pay a deposit to cover materials, and then pay more as the work progresses. If she's asking for 100% upfront, it might be a sign that she's not trustworthy.
And if you're feeling uneasy right now, that might be your gut telling you to look elsewhere.
Right? That's sketchy behavior. I once had a scam contractor do something similar, and it was a nightmare to deal with afterward.
Trust your instincts on this one. Most honest contractors won’t ask for more than a small deposit. It’s common to pay 10-30% upfront depending on the project size, but 100% is almost always a bad sign. Run the other way!
Exactly! A reputable contractor will have a payment schedule based on project milestones.
And don't forget to check for reviews or complaints about this contractor online before making your decision!
And definitely check your local laws, as many places have regulations on how much a contractor can request upfront.