As already mentioned, a replacement boiler is probably on the way for us.
For various reasons (including lack of competence with gas!), we are
getting a corgi in to do the whole job.

One issue that we have no experience of is handling deposits for
substantial jobs.

Which of the following are normal and reasonable approaches?

1 Pay the entire amount on completion.

2 Pay a deposit on ordering, the rest on completion.

3 Pay a deposit on commencement of work (or, maybe, delivery of boiler
to our house), the rest on completion.

4 Some alternative - maybe a hybrid of the above.

If two (or more) payments are made as in option 2), what sort of split
would you expect? E.g. 10% on order, 90% on completion or the other way
around.

How can we protect ourselves financially? I am thinking of all the various
circumstances that could cause loss or extra expense including the corgi
engineer becoming ill after taking a deposit, even starting the job, or
worse. I don't mean finding that an extra TRV is required. :-)

--
Rod

Rod wrote:

How can we protect ourselves financially? I am thinking of all the various
circumstances that could cause loss or extra expense including the corgi
engineer becoming ill after taking a deposit, even starting the job, or
worse. I don't mean finding that an extra TRV is required. :-)

With many installers they may be happy to present you with the whole
bill once complete. If they want a deposit then fine. 10 to 20% would
seem fair enough.

The main thing you need to protect yourself is to have the ability to
hold back some money at the end (i.e. enough to exert some leverage on
the supplier) should anything not be to your satisfaction.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Rod wrote:
One issue that we have no experience of is handling deposits for
substantial jobs.

Bear in mind the CORGI should be getting the boiler and other materials
on 30 days' tick from the merchant, so provided he fits it fairly
quickly he's not actually going to be out of pocket.

How can we protect ourselves financially? I am thinking of all the various
circumstances that could cause loss or extra expense including the corgi
engineer becoming ill after taking a deposit, even starting the job, or
worse. I don't mean finding that an extra TRV is required. :-)

Agree in writing what is to be done and when and include the words "and
all works necessary" - that prevents him saying something wasn't
included in the quote - and state an agreed date for completion of the
works to be "of the essence of the contract". Ask if your CORGI has key
worker insurance, so that if he is unable to complete the job personally
his insurance will pay for him to appoint a substitute.

If he doesn't complete the work on time (regardless of whether he has
insurance) he's in breach of contract, and you could then get someone
else to finish the job and sue him for the cost. However, if he has key
worker insurance to complete work-in-progress that simplifies things.

Owain

"Rod" wrote in message
. 4...
As already mentioned, a replacement boiler is probably on the way for us.
For various reasons (including lack of competence with gas!), we are
getting a corgi in to do the whole job.

One issue that we have no experience of is handling deposits for
substantial jobs.

Which of the following are normal and reasonable approaches?

1 Pay the entire amount on completion.

2 Pay a deposit on ordering, the rest on completion.

3 Pay a deposit on commencement of work (or, maybe, delivery of boiler
to our house), the rest on completion.

4 Some alternative - maybe a hybrid of the above.

If two (or more) payments are made as in option 2), what sort of split
would you expect? E.g. 10% on order, 90% on completion or the other way
around.

How can we protect ourselves financially? I am thinking of all the various
circumstances that could cause loss or extra expense including the corgi
engineer becoming ill after taking a deposit, even starting the job, or
worse. I don't mean finding that an extra TRV is required. :-)

--
Rod

In our case we payed a deposit on the workman's arrival to do the job and
the balance on completion.

I can understand that it does make you feel a bit uncomfortable, but I
suppose you have to see it from the workman's side as well. He's probably as
worried as yourself about being ripped off.

Make sure you get a receipt for everything and his van reg. Oh, and maybe a
strand of his hair with a root attached and a finger print.

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 20:44:57 +0100, RedOnRed wrote:


"Rod" wrote in message
. 4...
As already mentioned, a replacement boiler is probably on the way for us.
For various reasons (including lack of competence with gas!), we are
getting a corgi in to do the whole job.

One issue that we have no experience of is handling deposits for
substantial jobs.

Which of the following are normal and reasonable approaches?

1 Pay the entire amount on completion.

2 Pay a deposit on ordering, the rest on completion.

3 Pay a deposit on commencement of work (or, maybe, delivery of boiler
to our house), the rest on completion.

4 Some alternative - maybe a hybrid of the above.

If two (or more) payments are made as in option 2), what sort of split
would you expect? E.g. 10% on order, 90% on completion or the other way
around.

How can we protect ourselves financially? I am thinking of all the various
circumstances that could cause loss or extra expense including the corgi
engineer becoming ill after taking a deposit, even starting the job, or
worse. I don't mean finding that an extra TRV is required. :-)

--
Rod

In our case we payed a deposit on the workman's arrival to do the job and
the balance on completion.

I can understand that it does make you feel a bit uncomfortable, but I
suppose you have to see it from the workman's side as well. He's probably as
worried as yourself about being ripped off.

Make sure you get a receipt for everything and his van reg. Oh, and maybe a
strand of his hair with a root attached and a finger print.

I only ask the customer for a deposit if I have not dealt with them
before hand. As I have experienced a couple of customers who changed
their minds (admittedly about smaller work). I have found it necessary to
bring in this policy. If I ask for a deposit it is more the materials
usually around 30-40% of the total, however on the other end I'm likely to
say something like "Pay only when you're satisfied it's all working well.".

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html

In article .uk,
Ed Sirett wrote:
I only ask the customer for a deposit if I have not dealt with them
before hand. As I have experienced a couple of customers who changed
their minds (admittedly about smaller work). I have found it necessary
to bring in this policy. If I ask for a deposit it is more the materials
usually around 30-40% of the total, however on the other end I'm likely
to say something like "Pay only when you're satisfied it's all working
well.".

On the rare occasion when I use a tradesman, I'm perfectly happy to pay
reasonable 'out of pocket' expenses at the start of the job and stage
payments too - if the price is competitive. It costs me nothing - but
credit obtained may eat into the end profit of that tradesman, and result
in a higher price. However, I'd not dream of paying the full price before
I'm satisfied with the end result.

--
*I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 23:47:00 +0100, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article .uk,
Ed Sirett wrote:
I only ask the customer for a deposit if I have not dealt with them
before hand. As I have experienced a couple of customers who changed
their minds (admittedly about smaller work). I have found it necessary
to bring in this policy. If I ask for a deposit it is more the materials
usually around 30-40% of the total, however on the other end I'm likely
to say something like "Pay only when you're satisfied it's all working
well.".

On the rare occasion when I use a tradesman, I'm perfectly happy to pay
reasonable 'out of pocket' expenses at the start of the job and stage
payments too - if the price is competitive. It costs me nothing - but
credit obtained may eat into the end profit of that tradesman, and result
in a higher price. However, I'd not dream of paying the full price before
I'm satisfied with the end result.

Quite so.
However you'd probably be amazed at the number of people that wish to pay
as soon as I have cleared up. Even when I say it will need some more
work to finish off a few lose ends!

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html