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Homeowners always have questions in regards to how much to pay a contractor when home improvement work first begins. What is an appropriate down payment? Should money be paid during construction, but before the work is complete? And when is the final payment due?
In paying for home improvement projects, every consumer has heard stories about contractors receiving cash payments and not coming back.
This article will address the homeowner “payment dilemma” posed above. To respond to questions about how and when to safely make payments to contractors, we first need to distinguish between projects of different sizes and complexity. For the purpose of simplicity, we will address the way to approach the payment for home improvement projects into the following 3 areas:
A plumbing or electrical repair is an example of a small maintenance or repair project. Fixing a door, window, or mending a fence are additional examples. These types of projects usually take less than a day to complete, and are billed as either an hourly charge, or fixed fee to the homeowner. With small projects such as these, payments are usually made upon successful completion of the project.
Upon successful completion of the work, the contractor is paid in full. With small jobs like these, down payments are not necessary because the contractor has the ability to “finance” the work and pay for the materials until payment is received. As projects start to grow in scope and complexity, however, most contractors don’t have the flexibility to provide this kind of project financing.
Custom projects provide a homeowner with specialized work where products and services are tailored for unique applications. Custom kitchens and baths, countertops, built-in cabinetry and shelving, and even custom painting projects fall under this category. With this kind of custom work, materials are being purchased that are created specifically for these projects. With this kind of work, some kind of down payment is usually required to order the custom materials.
For example, a custom kitchen or bath cabinet order requires a 30% to 50% down payment to get the cabinets built. The cabinet manufacturer knows that if the homeowner were to change his mind after making the order, that the manufacturer could be “stuck” with this custom cabinetry that was created for their specific application. Due to this custom application, the manufacturer protects their investment of time and materials by asking for up to half of the payment to produce the cabinets, and may require the remaining half upon delivery of the cabinetry to the jobsite.
With custom work such as this, the homeowner and contractor create a payment plan, or draw schedule that provides the contractor with the money they need to order these custom materials. It’s not up to the contractor to finance large material purchases such as this. This is the consumer’s responsibility.
With custom work such as this, the homeowner and contractor need to work out a payment plan that provides the contractor with the required deposits to order materials, and additional payments are made as the custom installations are completed. Payments should not exceed the work that has been completed. Work with your contractor to arrive at a payment plan that pays for all custom materials upon order, but pays the balance of the contract upon completion of the custom work.
Any large project should contain a detailed draw schedule. The homeowner pays these draws or “progress payments” when certain parts or phases of the project are completed. A draw schedule for a $100,000 second-story addition might look like this:
On large renovation projects, make sure you and the contractor are clear about when the final payment is due. Define in writing when the last draw is due. In many large projects, there is always some outstanding work to be completed, as you may still be waiting for a custom faucet or light fixture. It’s not fair to withhold the entire final draw if some part or material is on back-order, and the contractor can’t control delivery and completion.
In cases such as this, agree with the contractor to withhold the cost of the labor and materials for the outstanding work, but if the rest of the project is complete, pay the balance of the final draw. This type of cooperation and agreement allows you and your contractor to work together to complete your project to the satisfaction of everyone involved.
The contractor wishing to install a in ground pool wants $3200.00 ten percent of the price of the pool. He will not start work for 3 to 4 weeks after receiving the deposit. Is this OK.
I am planning on remodeling my whole kitchen and I have a budget of $10,000 to spend I’m redoing my kitchen this includes new cabinets flooring door and appliances how much would I have to put down before anybody would start working on it for me an exact amount would be great if you could figure it out
i’m installing an automatic gate and the cost is $2400.00 Th contractor wants 1000.00 due on or before construction start, 1000.000 due on before gate installation, and 400.00 on completion of project. Please advice.
Senior needs new elliptical set up. Still in box received as gift from relative at a distance. They want me to start using it for health 1 person if possible possibly $70 or 100 or less? If have step ladder hall light needs stronger bulb? I cannot climb. But best if person has put together exercise equipment etc. Thanks.
Great article. I m one of those people who got scammed by a general contractor. I paid him 15% down payment and a payment every week in cash for 4 weeks and no progress were made. He kept giving excuses of why things were not looking like much progress were made. I then got worried and told them I will stop making payments unless I see progress. I asked for a detailed list of things that they think are complete and expected completion dates of those things that have not been done from the contract that we signed. After that I don’t hear from him or see anyone working at the property. In total, I paid him $24800. Not only did he took the money but his workers did some extensive damages to the property and it costs me almost double to re-do/fix as what was originally quoted. Please be careful with who you hire.
Hello I have some siding on my patio that is not holding up. It has a card board feel to the inside. Uts rotting. I want to replace it with vinyl. Both walls the same size. Approx each wall 4 x5. How much would this cost me?
A contractor wants a 50% down payment at time of signing contract, then he wants 30% when cabinets arrive, on a $4o,ooo. kitchen remodel. Is this reasonable?
I had a air conditioning system installed. When they fished I asked if I could use a credit card, they said ok. So I gave out my information and when I looked at my account 2 days later, they added on the 2% fee(that’s there responsibility). Also they were anxious to get me to ok, they lowered the price by $200.00. That didn’t happen either. So a $5000.00 job should of been 4800.00 ran me $5100.00. Don’t use Budget Heating and Air, from Hilton Head, S.C.
I hired a local company that quoted me a price to remove two trees in the back yard and would replant the two new ones we both. Their quote $550.00 ($ 50.00) for picking up the new trees, I emailed them back that I would accept the quote but they would be responsible for any damage to Lawn lights and wiring and the drip system that waters the plants and they sent back the quote and agreed. A week later we noticed that plants were dying in the yard and not sure why so we called in a professional and he stated that the main line for the drip system was damaged and would need replacing and he checked to yard and found minor items that also need replacing and gave us a total list with cost. We did not think that the other service had done any damage and that the main thing was to get water to the plants asap. so we called him the next day and they would be out in two days but to make sure that we water the plants in the morning or evening. Once the started the work a few hours later they called us out to show us the damaged water line that had been crushed in half and in the very area that the tree was in. I know that it was not done on purpose but the laborer did not notify the man in charge or us so that we could get it repaired he covered it up and we lost plants that cost us more money. When we emailed the lawn care service a copy of the bill and showed them the cost we had to pay and asked if they would pay just for those repairs or even half they came back with ” No you should have let us repair it” but this was never mentioned to us up front, so I told that I would no longer require their service and I am still thinking of notifying the HOA and State of their shady work.
We paid a 4k deposit on a credit card to a contractor, who keeps giving us the runaround. I have emailed Discover to see if they can help us get a refund as well. Any other advice?
We do renovations in Dallas Texas metroplex and we have ran into a lot of work that the customers previous contractor has ran off in the middle of the job or have done such a horrible job that we’ve had to break everything out. Even had one shower pan liner without a drain .
I am buying the material for a project, the co tractor charges $20000. I gave him $8000. Deposit; now he comes whenever he feels like and a project that should take 4 weeks is taking much longer because of his bad work ethics. What should i do?
I am looking to get my driveway paved. I contacted a company that came and gave an estimate $200. Lower than previous. But they wanted a check for payment in full today and would do job tomorrow. ( so they could get supplies). I refused to do that and they will not be able to give the discount. Extremely disappointed in this reference
I’m having gutters on my home and garage for 1200 dollars. My contractor wants 700.00 dollars up front with the balance due upon sale of house. I found him thru homeadvisor. Is this ok?
Getting / need new roof. I have bad credit due to medical bills. Was originally approved and have $5,000 down. Said he’d return it. Said if I paid in cash they could do it & cheaper. How should I handle this.
Decorative Concrete Surfaces specializes in decorative concrete resurfacing for residential and commercial projects. Our applications include Sundek, Sunstone, stamped concrete overlays, stained concrete, epoxy floor coatings and more. Common installation areas include pool decks, patios, driveways, front entryways and garage floors.
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Disclosure: I received the Personalized Whiskey Barrel and Whiskey Ice Balls featured in this post at no cost from UncommonGoods. My full review of this barrel and the ice molds from UncommonGoods also includes a homemade recipe for the best bourbon manhattan in town. The views and opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.
My husband is a bourbon drinker. It's an acquired taste. Lately he's been enjoying barrel-aged bourbon in his Manhattan cocktails.
If you like the flavor of whiskey or bourbon, then this Manhattan cocktail is for you. It's a twist on a classic.
A Manhattan is traditionally made with bourbon and sweet vermouth. What makes this recipe so special is that it uses quality bourbon that has been aged in its own mini whiskey barrel and infused with the flavors from the cask.
Dark cherries are what you would typically find in a classic Manhattan. Stay away from the Shirley Temple cherries with this recipe. Our go-to brand is Luxardo.
Luxardo maraschino cherries are dark sour marasca cherries that are candied and steeped in a syrup made of cherry juice and sugar. They are found in the liquor department with the liqueur and bitters. While Luxardo cherries can be pricey, do not substitute for the neon variety.
A 5-liter miniature oak barrel is the perfect size for accentuating the flavor of quality whiskeys and bourbons.
I knew my husband would love this Personalized Whiskey Barrel from UncommonGoods. And I knew he would get great use out of this mini barrel.
It makes a perfect gift for Father's Day. Be sure to check out more great gift ideas on their website.
The barrel ages your choice of liquor to peak flavor just like the full-size barrels found in professional distilleries. A personalized engraving makes this barrel a special gift and keepsake.
After curing the barrel for a few days, he added a good quality bourbon and left it to age for least 30 days.
Now that the bourbon has aged and is ready to drink, it's time to enjoy it in your favorite Manhattan cocktail.
Another way we are using the barrel is to create enough of our favorite cocktails and using the barrel to age them. Be sure to scroll down for the two recipes below.
If you'd rather enjoy your barrel aged bourbon as is with just a touch of honey, then check out the Barrel Aged Honey Bourbon recipe below. It only needs 14 days in the barrel because it uses premium bourbon already double aged.
Here is where the jumbo whiskey ice balls come into play. They are perfect for sipping honey infused bourbon alone because they melt slower. They cool your drink without watering it down. "Sheer perfection" as my husband would say.
I'm a big fan of UncommonGoods. I discovered their products a few years ago searching for the perfect Christmas gift for my son. I ordered the Baseball Game and it's become a family favorite. Visit UncommonGoods for more great gifts for the men in your life.
I also like the idea of supporting a company that has great ethics. Did you know that UncommonGoods starts their lowest paid seasonal worker at 50% above minimum-wage. Here are a few more interesting facts:
What I like about UncommonGoods is that you can find that special unique gift for that person who's hard to shop for.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Combine the bourbon, maraschino liqueur, vermouth, and bitters. Shake well. Transfer to a rocks glass and top with cherries.
Mix together the ingredients and pour into a 5L barrel. Age for 28 days but no longer than 60 days. Transfer to bottles if necessary. To make a smaller amount, divide the ingredients accordingly.
As the barrel get reused the aging process shortens because the barrel will impart the wood flavor more quickly after multiple uses.
Heat the jar of honey in a pot of water to thin it out. Once thinned, pour into the barrel using a funnel. Next add the bourbon and age it for 14-21 days, no longer. Return the aged bourbon to the bottle to enjoy on occasions.
The outdoor swimming pool is approximately 4.5 x 3.5 m and is deep 120-140 cm. The swimming pool is in use from 04.06.-24.09.
The Villa is located on the old road that connects Stari Grad and Hvar; Stari Grad is at 11 km of distance while the center of Hvar is at 5.5 km of distance.
The Villa is situated on a hill and is at 365 m of height above sea level so the temperature is always 2-3 degrees lower; perfect during hot summer days.
This nice stone house has a fully equipped kitchen ( stove, oven, fridge, microwave oven, coffee maker, toaster, dishwasher ) that is connected to the dining and living room.
(PLEASE NOTE ALL INQUIRIES MUST HAVE A CONTACT PHONE NUMBER OTHERWISE WE CAN NOT RESPOND TO YOUR REQUEST) Luxury and comfort at its best, Relax and enjoy your vacation in this NEW MEDITERRANEAN retreat for ultimate enjoyment and relaxation, over 10,000 sq. ft. ,4 story home, with elevator, over size deck with panoramic view of the lake from most windows, over 3000 ft. of shore line. A perfect home for family gathering, executive retreat, Vacations, family Reunion.
MAIN FLOOR large gourmet kitchen can seat 4 guests at the breakfast bar, 6 at the breakfast table, and 10 at the dining room table comfortably, with side by side stainless steel refrigerator, warming drawer, compactor, microwave oven ,dishwasher, decorative kitchen cabinet.
State of the art home theatre with 12 seating, private pool with water fall , Outdoor wood burning fireplace, , exercise room with dance floor.
360 Degree lake view, private gated entrance with security code, private road to the shore line, deep deep water, boat dock with party deck.
MAIN FLOOR consist of formal family room with see through fire place, main living room with Stone Fire place, and 2 Queen size Sleeper Sofa, a 46'' LCD TV, Gourmet Kitchen with Breakfast bar seats 4 Guests, Breakfast table seats 6 Guests, Dining Room seats 10 Guests comfortably, Bedroom with Queen bed.
An open Floor Plan with lots of windows and great view of the Lake, Double Door walk out to the upper deck, over looking the Pool and the Lake.
UPPER LEVEL, There are 3 Bedrooms on upper Level, Designer Master Bedroom with King size bed, Triad Ceiling , Sitting area with work Table.
Stone FirePlace with 46'' LCD TV, His & Hers Closet, Spacious Master Bathroom with His & Hers vanity with Triad Ceiling & Rope Lighting, Double size Jetted Tub, Separate Shower and Separate Commode.
The other 2 Bedrooms each with Queen size Bedroom Sets and full Separate Bathrooms, and Walk-in Closets, Over size Laundry Room with Sink and Extra Capacity washer & Dryer.
LOWER LEVEL (THE ENTERTAINMENT LEVEL), Design for total relaxation,, High Quality Pool Table with 46' LCD TV, Lime Stone over size see through Fire Place, work out GYM with NordicTrack commercial stationary Blke, Bow Flex Ultimate total exercise Machine , Cardio Glide, and Dance Floor, and Round Table for playing card.
Very well Designed Decorative Bar with Ice Maker, Beer Cooler, Wine Cooler, Bar Sink, Essentials, with Colorful Bar Stools, STATE OF THE ART HOME THEATER with 12 seating, Giant Screen, High Quality Sou-round sound system, Triad Ceiling , 2 Leather Queen Sofa Bed with Table and Full Bathroom, Plenty of windows to enjoy the view of the Lake, Sliding Glass Door to Patio and the Swimming Pool with water fall, Back Yard with decorative Stone wall and Stone Outdoor Fire place with seating area.
The Lake is only a few steps under your feet, there is a path for your convenient to the DOCK, deep deep water with 360 degree of open water.
GROUND LEVEL, is a total home on its own, a full Kitchen with Refrigerator, Dish washer, Oven, Microwave, Double Sink, Lots of Cabinet, Breakfast Bar with 4 seating, Dining Table with 6 Seating, Living Area with Queen Sofa bed and Table & Chairs, Family Room with Queen Sofa
If you choose to pay with a credit card there will be a credit card fee added to your quote of 3.0% if domestic. International credit card fee's vary
I have been living in Atlanta for over 30 years, I come from a big family that we always like to get together, the minute I discovered this land I did fall in love with and decided to build my dream home thanks God my dream came true.
Heated pool and the hot tub is optional, it is only available for long term rental. Hot tub can not be heated on its own since the pool system is tied with hot tub together.