On 2006-11-26 21:50:22 +0000, Ed Sirett said:

It's is reasonable to pay a reasonable (c. 50%) deposit for items that are
made to measure (windows, suits).
It's unreasonable for the fitters to ask for more money until the work is
completed satisfactorily.
With a new customer I usually ask for money for materials up front. This
show commitment on their part and means that if they change their minds
(most unlikely _after_ they have made a deposit) they can have the goods
and I can walk away.
I usually invite the customer to hold back some money for snagging. This
is much better than them asking me if they could do so. Furthermore the
usual response is to decline (to save them making more than one payment)
and/or saying they know I'd come back if they're are any problems.

I think that this is an excellent way to do business.

It protects the supplier in the case of a new customer, makes the
customer feel secure and yet still achieves the objective of payment at
the end of the work.