Should I pay the painter 1/3 up front
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Anonymous
| For materials? I guess I get it but I'm skeptical. |
Anonymous
| Seems reasonable. |
Anonymous
| Standard. |
Anonymous
| I think thats completely reasonable. Were you expecting him to pay out of pocket for materials? |
Anonymous
| This is standard, well, unless they want 50% up front. |
Anonymous
Kind of. It is a five day job, so I thought he could carry those costs. I don't know...that's why I'm asking. |
Anonymous
Totally standard to ask for a down payment. Especially if he's an independent, it's not like he's rolling in cash. And, it helps him ensure that on the back end he doesn't get totally stiffed if you turn out to be a jerk which has probably happened to him a few times. |
Anonymous
| One third is standard. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Just thought I'd let you know that we paid the guy 1/3 up front. He used the money to fix his truck and only bought a portion of the material that he never brought to the house, then came in today (day 3 of the job) asking for more money. We fired him today and hired another painter to start tomorrow. What a debacle. |
Anonymous
| Yes. Do you expect him to buy paint out of his pocket? |
Anonymous
| Next time buy your own supplies. |
Anonymous
That's what I have done w painters before. The guy we usually use, the first time we used him, we bought the paint. Then once he realized we would pay him, he fronted the $ for the paint for us and we reimbursed him. |
Anonymous
If this took place in MD, and he has an MHIC (home improvement license), you can apply to the MHIC fund to get refunded for the money you're out. |
Anonymous
| Sorry to hear that, OP. |