Rewires...

[Welshsparky]

Doing a rather large rewire at the moment that is costing me a fortune in materials/ Labour/fuel etc , cant help but think i should ask for some payment upfront before starting a job, How many people on here do this?

 

[topquark]

Better to agree a payment schedule in your contract with them (once first fix complete for example). That way you can get early warning of non payment potential or cover your supplier costs.

 

[sedgy34]

i normally do 1st fix and then put invoice in for 50% then 50% on final 2nd fix

 

[claret73]

As & when I begin to do some jobs for myself, I'll be getting a contract of agreement to the outlayed terms of both parties. I don't know who mentioned it now, may have been my accountant. But if you don't get paid the materials still effectively belong to you. Does sound overboard & heavy handed mind if you threaten to start disconnecting due to non payment...I'd rather take all steps to not get to that point. Seen that happen with Building companies as the main contact to the customer & the Electrician as the Sub. My Mate is a Chippie/Oak electriciansforums & he asks for materials up front. Seems to work for him, so can see it being reasonable on rewires or extension jobs with a large outlay...

 

[nickblake]

I never ask for payment in advance , you have to build up a trust for a customer , i have worked in the industry for to long now and have seen all trades be ripped off by the customer its not always the trades man ripping off the customer its the other way round and in the past i have been ripped off for over 10 k for a hotel i rewired never got a penny even after going to court which was a waste of time and money the guy declared him self bankrupt , so the vat man and the tax man got there be me nothing so since then i work honestly first fix then payment 2nd fix then payment , its the only way to trade as it only takes a few customers not to pay and you have gone bust , i did work for a company who had 2.5 million of work on the books three companies didnt pay the went bust making 60 guys redundent need i say more

 

[kingeri]

Lately I've had to ask for weekly payment on bigger jobs, just don't have the cashflow any more. Mind you, I don't spark full time, I do have another 'job'.