How to ask for a deposit before the job

Tell the customer the deposit amount when you give the price, put it in writing, and send a payment link for it before you buy materials or book the date. Most customers expect it.

What to say

Keep it simple: “To book the date and order the parts, I take a deposit of $500. The rest is due when the job is done. Here’s the link to pay the deposit.”

How much

Enough to cover materials and your time if they cancel. Many trades ask for a part of the total, often more when there are expensive parts to order.

Some states limit how much a contractor can ask for up front on home improvement work (California is one). Check your state’s rule before you set yours.

Step by step

Give the price and the deposit together, in writing.
Send a payment link for the deposit.
Book the date or order parts once it’s paid.
When the job is done, send a second link for the rest.

If they push back

Explain it protects their date and pays for parts ordered just for them. A customer who won’t pay any deposit is often the one who won’t pay the bill.

With DarSeek you send the deposit and the final bill as two simple payment requests. It’s free for 30 days.

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