At A-Resilient Contracting, we understand how challenging it can be to trust a contractor with a large down payment, particularly given the horror stories of some bad actors simply disappearing with your hard-earned money.  Depending on the project, we typically do not ask for more than 50% upfront.  The remainder is typically paid in installments throughout the project at various milestones depending on production charts and other factors. The final amount is held in reserve until completion and walk-through.  We also recommend that you avoid any contractor that asks for most or all of a project’s costs upfront. A stable, financially viable contractor can source materials and pay for labor with existing funds. Asking for a large amount upfront is a red flag.