I had a really bad experience with a trademan today. We agreed on a cash price a few weeks ago to complete a driveway job. The day before he arrived he said he would need $500 shortly after starting the job to go and buy the materials. I have never struck this before but thought ok. I got this guy thru the local paper, just an add under call such and such to remove concrete, do driveways etc. Anyway i paid him yesterday, all going ok. Today he comes to me again asking for another $200 to go and buy more material which i have him and which he did. By now there was tension because what he quoted me 40mm of topping he then told me it was 20mm needed for the job for the same price. I quoted his quote which he replied 'thats an average'. whatever.....
Anyway he comes to me this arvo saying he will complete the job in 1/2hr and needs the rest of his cash. I said but you havent done the wooden border like your quote said, he cracked it saying he would come back tomorrow but needed another $500 overnight. He then got really aggressive and frighting, lucky i had another tradesman in the house that made his presence felt to him.
He was pacing the driveway then he drove off in a huff, I rang my hubby to come home as I didnt know what he was going to do next. He turned up with a piece of wood to finish up, my hubby came home and he was looking for a fight with my hubby. My husband gave him the money and said great job, thanks etc as he said something wasn't right with this guy either and best to pay him and for him to leave. Well the driveway is actually spongy in parts and you sink, I knew that before we paid him but we wanted him out.
I'm wondering has anyone else had to pay a trademan upfront for materials or if you've had a scarey experience like this?