Do you take a deposit?

[aphilp]

We do not take a deposit for our jobs.

However, my forte is ensuring that we receive payment for materials when delivered to site and staged payments on completion of areas.

Credit control is becoming even more important.

Best Wishes

Anne

 

[Colour Republic]

Always take a deposit but then on most jobs we are supplying high value items, so kitchens and bathrooms are paid for anywhere 3-8 weeks in advanced. Already making a healthy profit on the supply so not overly fussed if they cancel, which almost never happens if they have already parted with thousands of pounds. Don't really take deposits on small labour only jobs lasting a couple of days as they are normally squezzed in between other work anyway, so can 9 times out of 10 fill the time with other jobs.

If I was just supplying labour and not getting involved in material supplying (I mean materials in high value stuff not everyday sundries) then I think I would ask for a small non-returnable deposit 4 weeks before hand to guarantee their spot in the diary. Not a lot but enough for them not to want to lose. Say job value £1K-£2K = £200 deposit, £2k-£5k = £400, £5k-£10K = £600, once you start getting in to £15k + labour only charge you want to have a contract in place anyway which gives you right to chase out of pocket expenses if the cancel

 

[Dougs Third Go]

never take a deposit, if I can help my customer out on tile costs I tell them that they can order and pay for them through my account, this is an agreement with my supplier. Say I get 40% discount the customer will save 20% and the other 20% is a "credit" on my account. I don't take a deposit on the labour till jobs complete.

 

[Stef]

I never take a deposit but after what has happened this week maybe I should.
Moved jobs around to squeeze in a favour for someone & it's backfired on me as they have cancelled & I can't get other jobs shifted around.
On the upside though the kids are off school till Thursday & I get to spend some quality time with them as I hardly saw them over the Xmas hols as I was busy..

 

[Andy Allen]

if the customer cancels, do you have to give the deposit back..? ......has anyone had this happen to them..? be interested if anyone knows the law on this..

 

[charlie1]

if the customer cancels, do you have to give the deposit back..? ......has anyone had this happen to them..? be interested if anyone knows the law on this..

Im not 100% on this but I think you need to give it back or some of it back depending on 2 factors, 1, what the deposit was for? Labour or goods and 2, the time when she canceled (did you have reasonable time to book in more work)

 

[Qwerty]

I have cancellations covered in my T&C's which a solicitor & trading standards have approved. It reads-

You may cancel your order with no charge by informing us within 14 days of the order being placed. We “Plan Tec Tiling & Wet Room Solutions” reserve the right to retain any deposits made if the cancellation terms are breached.

Never had one cancel mind, but at least I'm covered.

 

[thompsonbrown]

Most of my work is Labour only. I take 50 % at start of job, 50% on completion. I also supply Pipe, valves, board, electrics, lights, etc.. I always supply these materials at cost and give the receipts to the customer. For this I usally take around £500 as a float till it runs out or I finish. You could make a bit on materials but to be honest my labour price isnt cheap and I dont find my self cutting corners to save a bit of cash. Also somthing goes wrong with a light, extractor ufh controller ect.. customer can chase it up with supplier as I was only paid to install.
This seems to work for me.