Hi Bob,

I have seen some very interesting comments here. As a contractor,
I do require a deposit (usually upon starting). In the case of
windows, if they are custom made to size, they sometimes can take a
long time to order. Some suppliers require 50% payment up front to
order them and the balance before shipping. In this situation I would
be out of pocket a fair sum before starting your job. I like to protect
my clients and myself. In the case above, I would rather setup with
the client to make those payments with thier money. They are thier
windows. This protects them and myself. They are assured that the
money is going to thier project and not fixing my truck tires.

As a contractor we have just as much problems collecting money.
They saying goes "If hard to sign expect to have a hard time
collecting". The person who refused to give a deposit would simply be
removed from our schedule. We would not care to do work with them and
they could get someone else. We've been in business for 25+ years with
very few complaints from any clients (never about workmanship). We
have finished every job that we have started. FWIW.

In our area, the maximum deposit for a job is 1/3. The rest is
agreeded upon by the two parties. I would have to agree with all the
comments about not paying up front for work that has not been
completed. I always write contracts with payments setup in completion
form.
In your case, xxx upon installation of windows, xxx completion of
siding and balance upon final walk thru.

-Lee


Robert11 wrote:
Hello:

Getting a bit ahead of myself here, but in the Spring will be having all new
siding and
windows installed.

What is "typical" as to how the contractor is paid ?

e.g.,

I imagine it's reasonable to pay him the amount for the window costs (but
not labor) early on so he
can purchase the windows beforehand. Right ?

And I guess some kind of additional deposit is also reasonable beforehand.
If so, what approx % of the total price should this be ?

How about the overall payments:
Would splitting it into thirds, perhaps, be typical ?
Such as 1/3 of the est. cost after 1/3 of the work is done, etc. ?

Really don't know how to handle this;
Don't want to be made a fool of, but also want to do what is considered
normal for this.

This would be a contractor who runs his own very small business.
Is some kind of "bond" normal to protect us to make sure that the job is
completed, etc.?
Don't want to scare him off, but If so, what and how ?

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob