As we all know, choosing the right tradesman to hire is one of the most difficult decisions you will make. The difference between a good and bad tradesman can be as little as giving them an extra five minutes of your time. If a job is finished, when should you pay them? This article addresses that question with concrete steps for when to ask for final payment and how much to expect.
Definition of Done
The job is finished when:
- All work is completed to a satisfactory standard
- All materials and products are used as intended
- The site is left clean and tidy
- The client is happy with the final result
You should pay the tradesman when:
- They have completed all the work to a satisfactory standard
- They have used all materials and products as intended
- They have left the site clean and tidy
- You are happy with the final result
How to Decide if a Job is Finished
When it comes to deciding if a job is finished, there are a few things you need to take into account. First and foremost, you need to be clear about what the job entails. Once you have a good understanding of the scope of work, you can start to make a judgement about whether or not the job is complete.
If you’re unsure about anything, it’s always best to ask the tradesman for their opinion. They should be able to give you a good indication of how much work is left to do. In some cases, they may even be able to give you an estimate of how much it will cost to finish the job.
Once you’ve got all the information you need, it’s time to make a decision. If you’re happy with the work that’s been done so far, then it’s probably time to pay the tradesman. However, if you’re not satisfied with the progress or quality of work, then you may want to hold off on paying until the job is completed to your satisfaction.
What Happens When You Pay the Tradeperson
When you’ve paid the tradeperson for their work, they will usually send you a receipt or invoice. This document will outline the work that was carried out, the materials used and the cost of the job. It’s important to check this over carefully to make sure that you’re happy with what was done and that everything matches the agreement that you made with the tradeperson.
If there are any problems with the work, or if anything wasn’t done as agreed, then you should speak to the tradeperson straight away. They may be able to put things right without any additional cost. If not, then you may need to negotiate a refund or partial payment.
Assuming everything was done as expected, then you can simply enjoy your newly finished home improvement project!
When to Not Pay the Tradeperson
- If the job is not up to your standards, do not pay the tradeperson.
- If the tradeperson has not completed the job as agreed upon, do not pay them.
- If the tradeperson leaves the job site before you are satisfied, do not pay them.
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