Beware of any contractor who offers to do the job cheaper for cash! - It may be a tempting offer - a cheap job - but stop to consider what you are doing.
If you are offered the job cheaper for cash, the contractor could be trying to avoid the VAT, this means he should have no official record of the work he does,
and will therefore be reluctant to offer a guarantee or enter into a contract.
This also shows that the contractor is prepared to cut corners - will he cut corners throughout the job?
A good Trades Professional will not offer to complete the job cheaper for cash, and will always provide you with a written receipt
for any money you pay them - if they are VAT registered, ensure the VAT amount is also identified.
Beware of requests for large deposit payments - demands for large deposits should really make the alarm bells ring.
There are far too many examples of homeowners paying large deposits and the contractor disappears, or goes out of business.
Always question the need to pay for a deposit up front - ask what it is for.
All good Trade Professionals will have credit accounts with their suppliers, so to suggest that the deposit is for materials can often be false.
If they say they need it to ensure the job goes ahead, you can state that you would rather sign a contract instead to show your commitment.
In certain circumstances it may be justified to pay a deposit (if a special item needs purchasing from a specified supplier) but keep the amount as low as
possible, 10% of the contract price is usually acceptable.
You should also insist on receiving an Insurance Backed Guarantee from any Glazing Trade Professionals that you hire. See
HomePro Insurance Backed Guarantee
- our Value Plus policy, for example, would provide you with deposit protection for up to 25% of the contract value.
In June 2014 new legislation was passed which requires that all glazing installers who are members of a competent Person Scheme provide,
free of charge to their customers, an IBG or Insurance Backed Guarantee, giving the homeowner added financial protection against both frame & hardware defects.
The new legislation has also been extended to provide additional protection against breaches of the applicable Buildings Regulations too.