In article .com, Eric in
North TX says...


cm wrote:
We ask for 1/2 down on jobs over $1000.00 up to $3000.00, after that we
usually take 1/3 at a time. We don't work for guys like Eric in Texas or
people that try to negotiate a lower estimate. No offense Eric but if you
don't trust me don't hire me.

No offence taken. As I stated I don't have a great deal of experience
in dealing with contractors, but the little I have has made me wary. At
this point, if I had a big job to do, I'd be the contractor and sub out
the parts I wasn't comfortable with.
I do have another factor creeping up on me, that being; age. As I get
older, I'm finding being 30' up on an extension ladder juggling work
and tools isn't all that it used to be. I find crawling around in a
crawl space a little troubling.
I found this discussion enlightening, and I apologize if I hurt
anyone's feelings.


Heck no - I'm not a contractor, and I basically disagree with you on this, but I
love it when folks speak up and say what they really mean. You weren't uncivil
about it, and you have a point. There's two sides to the coin.

As to the original question - I find that for big jobs it goes 1/3 up front, 1/3
at some determined point, 1/3 at the end. If a lot of materials are involved,
though, it's more like 1/2 up front and 1/2 at the end, unless you provide the
materials.

BTW, age isn't creeping up on me - um, *quite* yet, but no way no how I go up on
roofs or into crawlspaces na-uh.

Get references from friends and neighbors whose judgement you trust (and aren't
the types to throw some favor to some ne'er-do-well brother in law 'cause they
owes him something, and send you to him). That's the place to start.

Banty