Deposit for tree work?

[Alex O]

Does anyone take a deposit before doing the job? Had a friend of mine get a quote but is being told he needs to give a deposit. Personally I’ve never seen or heard any company do this, as it’s not like materials need to be bought for the job, as the work can’t start until nesting is over. Interested to get your thoughts on this, thanks.

[Mick Dempsey]

A get a few offering over here, as has been said, in tree work there’s no materials to be bought so I always politely decline.

 

Ps.

 

Edited May 13, 2018 by Mick Dempsey

[Alex O]

Yes the older generation are still in that mind set and try insisting you take a payment prior the job being done. Paid on completion in my mind

[peatff]

I used to help installing tv aerials with a friend of mine and usually found pensioners were there with the money before you started the job and had tea and biscuits waiting as well. 

[Bloom]

Depends on the size of job. Couple of days, pay on completion. Bigger jobs where it'll not be a cash payment,where subbies need paid, stump grinder hire etc then I'll take a cash deposit on the day work starts.

[Alex O]

Okay we are talking about 3 days of Connie bashing. Truck, chipper,saws and climbing kit. All paid for unless finance still on truck/chipper. Still fail to see where a deposit would come in[emoji848]

[Matthew Storrs]

Iv personally never asked for any money up front and will generally do up to £5k of work (inc materials) before expecting any payment, if the job is bigger than this I think it’s fair to ask to be paid in stages before the job is complete. What you describe just sounds like a run of the mill day to day job and I doubt many would expect payment until completion of the job. Each to their own though!

[Alex O]

Fair enough if you need materials. But ripping a few trees out[emoji848]

[Gary Prentice]

On 13/05/2018 at 07:47, Alex O said:

 

Does anyone take a deposit before doing the job? Had a friend of mine get a quote but is being told he needs to give a deposit. Personally I’ve never seen or heard any company do this, as it’s not like materials need to be bought for the job, as the work can’t start until nesting is over. Interested to get your thoughts on this, thanks.

 

I’d like to think the best of people, but....

 

could it be that the quote is way over the top and the contractor fears that in the interval between now and September the tree owner might wise up and cancel?

 

At least with a deposit, he’s something for the time quoting.

 

Or am I just jaded with societies  morals and ethics?

[jfc]

Never asked for a deposit, get offered them sometimes but never take it up. Seems unusual to me. How much are they being asked for.?