Do you usually pay for Flooring upfront?

[Little Ralphy]

Just looking for a bit of advice confirmation, if anyone has any experience with this.

Need some new flooring downstairs. Picked out some Amtico vinyl times, had 2 quotes and all that. Is it normal to pay in full prior to it being fitted?

One company is asking for the full amount (less installation, which is to be paid to the fitter upon completion) upfront, they haven't given us an installation date yet or anything.

The other company is marginally more expensive but asking for all of the money, 7 days after completion, no deposit. No installation date yet either.

It's the same product, from what they've said the preparation work etc. is all the same as well.

I'm thinking it's a no brainer and going with the 'pay after completion' even for the extra few hundred quid, but the mrs just sees the cheaper quote.

 

[kev]

Not sure how common it is, but no way I would be paying until the job's completed.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Its because of the weekly increase in materials costs. A quote this week will seem good value compared to a months time for the exact same thing. Joiners are quoting week to week job to job because the ones I know were losing money trying to line work up 5 6 weeks ahead.

 

[LEONARD]

Just looking for a bit of advice confirmation, if anyone has any experience with this.

Need some new flooring downstairs. Picked out some Amtico vinyl times, had 2 quotes and all that. Is it normal to pay in full prior to it being fitted?

One company is asking for the full amount (less installation, which is to be paid to the fitter upon completion) upfront, they haven't given us an installation date yet or anything.

The other company is marginally more expensive but asking for all of the money, 7 days after completion, no deposit. No installation date yet either.

It's the same product, from what they've said the preparation work etc. is all the same as well.

I'm thinking it's a no brainer and going with the 'pay after completion' even for the extra few hundred quid, but the mrs just sees the cheaper quote.

Go onto Check a trader mate.

This doe's not sound kosher to me.

 

[Little Ralphy]

Not sure how common it is, but no way I would be paying until the job's completed.

That's what I'm thinking. The Mrs just said can you phone up and sort the deposit out. When I checked the deposit was for everything bar installation to the fitter! So I checked the two quotes. It could possibly be one a small company vs a big company, but regardless if I then have an issue with the floor, I imagine they'll say my issue is with the fitters and not them.

I wondered if this was normal and I'm just being paranoid.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

That's what I'm thinking. The Mrs just said can you phone up and sort the deposit out. When I checked the deposit was for everything bar installation to the fitter! So I checked the two quotes. It could possibly be one a small company vs a big company, but regardless if I then have an issue with the floor, I imagine they'll say my issue is with the fitters and not them.

I wondered if this was normal and I'm just being paranoid.

I've done similar for carpets. Paid a company seperatley and then the fitters they organised separately on the day. Ltd company and a national chain recommended to me by a couple of folk.

Made sure I paid by credit card though, got more protection under section 75 if the company went bust, for example. If they ask for a bank transfer upfront I'd run a mile.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Just looking for a bit of advice confirmation, if anyone has any experience with this.

Need some new flooring downstairs. Picked out some Amtico vinyl times, had 2 quotes and all that. Is it normal to pay in full prior to it being fitted?

One company is asking for the full amount (less installation, which is to be paid to the fitter upon completion) upfront, they haven't given us an installation date yet or anything.

The other company is marginally more expensive but asking for all of the money, 7 days after completion, no deposit. No installation date yet either.

It's the same product, from what they've said the preparation work etc. is all the same as well.

I'm thinking it's a no brainer and going with the 'pay after completion' even for the extra few hundred quid, but the mrs just sees the cheaper quote.

What Rita said, this is to cover materials. It's not uncommon for smaller contractors because their overhead is large so you are buying out materials. In this case I agree it's likely to cover the cost of materials in an unstable market. You could ask about this, or offer to buy out materials on your own and only pay them installation (but they can probably get prices you can't and you might not be able to take delivery.)

In no case should you pay the full amount up front, and only after complete installation, inspection, punching out any remaining issues should you pay the full price.

 

[toffee82]

Just looking for a bit of advice confirmation, if anyone has any experience with this.

Need some new flooring downstairs. Picked out some Amtico vinyl times, had 2 quotes and all that. Is it normal to pay in full prior to it being fitted?

One company is asking for the full amount (less installation, which is to be paid to the fitter upon completion) upfront, they haven't given us an installation date yet or anything.

The other company is marginally more expensive but asking for all of the money, 7 days after completion, no deposit. No installation date yet either.

It's the same product, from what they've said the preparation work etc. is all the same as well.

I'm thinking it's a no brainer and going with the 'pay after completion' even for the extra few hundred quid, but the mrs just sees the cheaper quote.

Check the reviews on business each company. The cheaper one seem to be charging for the product but not fitting until it's is done.

Peace of mind can be worth the extra few quid though.

If Amtico is similar to Karndean then fitting is quite expensive.

Have you tried to source the flooring yourself and get a separate fitter? I get a good discount on Karndean so I have always done it this way.

 

[Moomin]

I've done similar for carpets. Paid a company seperatley and then the fitters they organised separately on the day. Ltd company and a national chain recommended to me by a couple of folk.

Made sure I paid by credit card though, got more protection under section 75 if the company went bust, for example. If they ask for a bank transfer upfront I'd run a mile.

This is very good advice.

 

[ste d' indica]

 

[4737carlin]

Be carful on this, I wouldn't, but see I know trade people who are chasing money for work they have done, it's a two way street.
I'd pay other day, but in advance no chance.

 

[Sweeneytoad]

The way I've always seen it, first payment is for the materials and the final payment is for the labour. Don't be paying it all at once, I've heard stories of people from a certain community who will take the whole amount and leave you with half a job.

 

[roydo]

I am getting a log burner installed in a week or so. Using a local company recommended to me by a boutique fireplace company I know reasonably well. I thought they had gone bust, (covid etc), but no, instead of the shop on the high street, they are on line. Reason? Partly covid, but they got fed up carrying stock that folk wanted, then didnt, then bought it online, and asked for installation only.

So, they order a burner that fits, (obvs) and I choose. Pay for the burner once they order it, then the installation, and VAT, after installation/snag/instructions etc. Means they can deliver the whole job way cheaper, and still make a living.

Last time we had any flooring done was 20 years ago, (wooden), and pretty sure we paid on the finished job.

 

[Goat]

Ive had 2 carpets fitted recently, I paid for both upfront and then paid the fitter on the day of fitting.

That seems pretty normal to me.

But this was a shop with a store front, so very little "risk".

1 of the rats did steal 20 quid out of my wallet tho, which I only noticed when they left........

 

[Oddball]

Go onto Check a trader mate.

This doe's not sound kosher to me.

wouldn`t go on that check-a-trade thing they`re not all kosher- the firms on that site pay to go on the c-a-t register