Deposits and Getting Paid: Protecting Yourself from Non-Payment

Ask for a deposit of 30 to 40 percent before starting, covering at minimum the cost of materials, and get the price confirmed in writing — even a simple WhatsApp message — before you pick up a single tool. Non-payment is almost never organised theft: it is a misunderstanding over price, a customer who changes their mind partway through, or simply the absence of any written commitment that makes refusing to pay easy. Here is how to structure every job so that risk nearly disappears.

This is not specific to one trade

Whether you are a plumber, painter, electrician or carpenter, the logic is the same: the more materials a job requires you to buy up front, the more a deposit protects your cash flow. A ten-minute unblock does not need one; a bathroom renovation absolutely does. Adjust based on what you are actually fronting, not a single fixed rule. These habits are worth stating clearly on your craftsman profile, where you can note your usual terms in your bio.

Why a deposit protects both sides

A deposit is not a sign of distrust towards the customer — it is mutual protection. It covers you if the customer cancels after you have bought materials. It commits the customer, who finds it harder to disappear having already paid something. And it removes an awkward conversation at the end: instead of negotiating the total once the work is finished and the leverage has shifted, the bulk of it is already settled before you even start.

How much to ask, and when

• 30 to 40 percent on booking — the norm for most jobs, adjusted for trust and size.
• The cost of materials, at minimum — if you are buying the materials, never front them from your own pocket without a deposit.
• Staged payment on a large job — a third at the start, a third midway, the balance at the end. This stops you fronting weeks of unpaid work.
• Never 100 percent before starting — even if the customer insists. A job paid in full before the first tool is picked up gives nobody an incentive to do it right or check it carefully.

The written record that changes everything

You do not need a formal contract to protect yourself: a WhatsApp message sent before starting, summarising the total price, what it covers, the deposit amount and the balance due, carries the same practical weight as a signed document. It fixes both sides' memory and prevents the classic "that's not the price we agreed" at the end. Make it a habit even with a customer you know well — that is exactly where misunderstandings cost the most, because nobody expects a disagreement.

What to do about a slow payer

Follow up early and without hostility — a polite message the day after the agreed deadline beats two weeks of silence followed by a tense one. Restate the amount and date you agreed on, the ones you have in writing. If the delay drags on, a courteous visit is often more effective than another round of messages. And if the amount at stake is significant and nothing works, keep every written record — it is your best protection if you need to pursue it further.

The link to your reputation

A job framed clearly from the start — a clear price, a reasonable deposit, a written note fixing expectations — almost always ends well, and a job that ends well leads to a good review. It is the same habit of clarity that protects you from non-payment and builds your reputation over time: see how to build a reputation from scratch.

Frequently asked questions

To structure your next jobs from the start, revisit how to price your work, and complete your profile on the craftsman sign-up page if you have not already.