Question…

[Eastmandawg]

about home contractors in your area.

Are they asking you all for 50% payment before they start work, then payment in full after completion??

Mine did and I told him to go pound sand, I wasn’t going to do it - it was bad business on my part, that I would pay him after a satisfactory finish.

He looked at I had lost my mind, he said it was normal here in the Saint Louis area. I sent him on his way.

Had some storm damage to my home a little over a week ago, it’s a small job - maybe $1500 at the most. Insurance deductible is 2K, so it comes out of my pocket.

 

[stray]

about home contractors in your area.

Are they asking you all for 50% payment before they start work, then payment in full after completion??

Mine did and I told him to go pound sand, I wasn’t going to do it - it was bad business on my part, that I would pay him after a satisfactory finish.

He looked at I had lost my mind, he said it was normal here in the Saint Louis area. I sent him on his way.

Had some storm damage to my home a little over a week ago, it’s a small job - maybe $1500 at the most. Insurance deductible is 2K, so it comes out of my pocket.

I think you did the correct thing. Sounds fishy to me.

 

[The Original SLC Dawg]

about home contractors in your area.

Are they asking you all for 50% payment before they start work, then payment in full after completion??

Mine did and I told him to go pound sand, I wasn’t going to do it - it was bad business on my part, that I would pay him after a satisfactory finish.

He looked at I had lost my mind, he said it was normal here in the Saint Louis area. I sent him on his way.

Had some storm damage to my home a little over a week ago, it’s a small job - maybe $1500 at the most. Insurance deductible is 2K, so it comes out of my pocket.

I don’t know about the STL market, but never, ever give a contractor any money before he works on your house. Unless you never want to see him again. Even for materials. You pay for kitchen cabinets for example, when they show up. If he can’t buy anything without you fronting him money, then he’s a bad credit risk and probably a bad contractor

Painter/friend story just last week had me shaking my head.

 

[Eastmandawg]

I think you did the correct thing. Sounds fishy to me.

They are a reputable company, a franchise with over 100 locations. Downspouts, gutters, fascia, soffit etc.

Honestly don’t think they were trying to scam me, just think they are feeling the pinch with the 8-10% franchise fees that they are paying (royalties/ adv. fees, etc.). Franchisees can go out of business in a heartbeat.

Just couldn’t & wouldn’t do it in good conscience. I’m not here to keep their operation afloat & doors open.

 

[The Original SLC Dawg]

They are a reputable company, a franchise with over 100 locations..downspouts, gutters, fascia, soffit etc.

Honestly don’t think they were trying to scam me, just think they are feeling the pinch with the 8-10% franchise fees that they are paying (royalties/ adv. fees, etc). Franchisees can go out if business in a heartbeat.

Just couldn’t & wouldn’t do it in good conscience. I’m not here to keep their operation afloat/doors open.

You want the contractor to make a profit, but not to retire on your job.

 

[Eastmandawg]

You want the contractor to make a profit, but not to retire on your job.

Have lost money on something once in my lifetime. My membership to my gym in Nashville was about to expire. Decided to pay them for the year rather than pay monthly (cheaper).

Went to the gym the very next day after work and their doors were closed. May have been 4 or 500 bucks Iost - but didn’t think it was a risk at the time since I had already been going to this location for about 5 years.

Shat happens!

 

[bayrooster]

about home contractors in your area.

Are they asking you all for 50% payment before they start work, then payment in full after completion??

Mine did and I told him to go pound sand, I wasn’t going to do it - it was bad business on my part, that I would pay him after a satisfactory finish.

He looked at I had lost my mind, he said it was normal here in the Saint Louis area. I sent him on his way.

Had some storm damage to my home a little over a week ago, it’s a small job - maybe $1500 at the most. Insurance deductible is 2K, so it comes out of my pocket.

A plumber I talked to about replacing water supply lines in my home in SC did that, wanted half up front. Would be good to know if that's the norm around here!

 

[bayrooster]

Have lost money on something once in my lifetime. My membership to my gym in Nashville was about to expire. Decided to pay them for the year rather than pay monthly (cheaper).

Went to the gym the very next day after work and their doors were closed. May have been 4 or 500 bucks Iost - but didn’t think it was a risk at the time since I had already been going to this location for about 5 years.

Shat happens!

I paid up front for 3 years of a gym membership in 2004 as part of a deal where it dropped to dues of $99 a year with no expiration date after that. Paid only $99 a year for an all-club membership every year for almost 15 years until they (24hr Fitness) went bankrupt during the COVID PANDEMIC. That was the end of that sweet deal!

 

[TivoliDawg]

about home contractors in your area.

Are they asking you all for 50% payment before they start work, then payment in full after completion??

Mine did and I told him to go pound sand, I wasn’t going to do it - it was bad business on my part, that I would pay him after a satisfactory finish.

He looked at I had lost my mind, he said it was normal here in the Saint Louis area. I sent him on his way.

Had some storm damage to my home a little over a week ago, it’s a small job - maybe $1500 at the most. Insurance deductible is 2K, so it comes out of my pocket.

I have had one or two contractors ask for that over the years, and I’m lucky, they all ended up being legitimate.

But, as a general rule, I would never agree to that.

Tell him that you will reimburse him for materials. He needs to go buy the materials, show up with receipts, and you will reimburse him for the cost of the materials, upfront, and the full job when completed.

Any legit contractor has enough cash to float the job. If they don’t, and they need your money to hire subs and buy materials, you probably don’t want to use them.

 

[blackpug6]

about home contractors in your area.

Are they asking you all for 50% payment before they start work, then payment in full after completion??

Mine did and I told him to go pound sand, I wasn’t going to do it - it was bad business on my part, that I would pay him after a satisfactory finish.

He looked at I had lost my mind, he said it was normal here in the Saint Louis area. I sent him on his way.

Had some storm damage to my home a little over a week ago, it’s a small job - maybe $1500 at the most. Insurance deductible is 2K, so it comes out of my pocket.

No!
payment upon completion.
don't get burned.

 

[Eastmandawg]

I paid up front for 3 years of a gym membership in 2004 as part of a deal where it dropped to dues of $99 a year with no expiration date after that. Paid only $99 a year for an all-club membership every year for almost 15 years until they (24hr Fitness) went bankrupt during the COVID PANDEMIC. That was the end of that sweet deal!

Yep, gyms are about as reliable as fast food joints & HO houses.

 

[Eastmandawg]

No!
payment upon completion.
don't get burned.

Found someone else on my terms.

 

[seatonsdawgs]

Y’all sound like a bunch of cheap asses… looking for the lowest price on a job typically leads to those types of flaky contractors… go with a reliable company with reviews… I’m a landscape contractor and we do 50% upon mobilization, 40% at substantial completion, and 10% after walk thru… I’m not sticking my hand out for a check to start, but everyone typically pays quickly once they see us getting started, busting ass, and without me asking for payment… most pay in full without even doing a walk thru… it’s standard for us and our industry… I know there’s bad contractors out there, but I can tell you there are just as many bad homeowners looking to knit pick and get something for free… there’s people that hate spending money and when they do, they gotta feel like they won and got a good deal… I’ve always thought about starting a website for contractors that list bad homeowners… Andy’s List… deal with legit companies and not just a guy is a good start… I’d tell you to go fly a kite if you said “I’ll pay when you’re done” lol!

 

[Eastmandawg]

Y’all sound like a bunch of cheap asses… looking for the lowest price on a job typically leads to those types of flaky contractors… go with a reliable company with reviews… I’m a landscape contractor and we do 50% upon mobilization, 40% at substantial completion, and 10% after walk thru… I’m not sticking my hand out for a check to start, but everyone typically pays quickly once they see us getting started, busting ass, and without me asking for payment… most pay in full without even doing a walk thru… it’s standard for us and our industry… I know there’s bad contractors out there, but I can tell you there are just as many bad homeowners looking to knit pick and get something for free… there’s people that hate spending money and when they do, they gotta feel like they won and got a good deal… I’ve always thought about starting a website for contractors that list bad homeowners… Andy’s List… deal with legit companies and not just a guy is a good start… I’d tell you to go fly a kite if you said “I’ll pay when you’re done” lol!

If it works for you, by all means do it.

But to me, not a chance of me paying for labor, markup etc first. which is the biggest part in most all jobs.

Would consider buying the product and having it delivered to my house with balance of total due to contractor after satisfactory completion, but that is as far as I would go.

Also would need references, signed agreement, general liability and workman’s comp before even considered.

Not my first rodeo.

 

[ugaboz]

about home contractors in your area.

Are they asking you all for 50% payment before they start work, then payment in full after completion??

Mine did and I told him to go pound sand, I wasn’t going to do it - it was bad business on my part, that I would pay him after a satisfactory finish.

He looked at I had lost my mind, he said it was normal here in the Saint Louis area. I sent him on his way.

Had some storm damage to my home a little over a week ago, it’s a small job - maybe $1500 at the most. Insurance deductible is 2K, so it comes out of my pocket.

I am in KC and have neve encountered that,
not a fan of misery at all though lol

 

[Eastmandawg]

I am in KC and have neve encountered that,
not a fan of misery at all though lol

Most all businesses take on a risk, as a customer - not gonna share in it.

 

[Eastmandawg]

I am in KC and have neve encountered that,
not a fan of misery at all though lol

Know what you mean (“Misery”). BIL went there, nephew & niece also - and a few friends that also did the same. They are not too bad.

Tennessee has to be by far the worst for me, Bama is next….nobody even close in my book after those two.

Sent my oldest to Arkansas (Fayetteville) & youngest to Webster University here in Saint Louis.

 

[TivoliDawg]

Y’all sound like a bunch of cheap asses… looking for the lowest price on a job typically leads to those types of flaky contractors… go with a reliable company with reviews… I’m a landscape contractor and we do 50% upon mobilization, 40% at substantial completion, and 10% after walk thru… I’m not sticking my hand out for a check to start, but everyone typically pays quickly once they see us getting started, busting ass, and without me asking for payment… most pay in full without even doing a walk thru… it’s standard for us and our industry… I know there’s bad contractors out there, but I can tell you there are just as many bad homeowners looking to knit pick and get something for free… there’s people that hate spending money and when they do, they gotta feel like they won and got a good deal… I’ve always thought about starting a website for contractors that list bad homeowners… Andy’s List… deal with legit companies and not just a guy is a good start… I’d tell you to go fly a kite if you said “I’ll pay when you’re done” lol!

This is fair. I can’t image one a large company with 100 employees running off with your $500 or whatever.

Joe blow from Home Depot absolutely will.

I don’t use Joe Blow guys.