if it’s not broken down, I’m immediately suspicious.
Same here. I always ask for a detailed breakdown, but sometimes they still sneak in vague stuff. Has anyone actually had luck getting a contractor to revise an invoice after calling out these “miscellaneous” charges? I’ve pushed back a couple times, but it feels awkward. Also, for those who’ve done both Net 30 and upfront—did you notice any difference in how fast the work actually got done? I’m never sure if paying upfront makes them drag their feet or not.
Has anyone actually had luck getting a contractor to revise an invoice after calling out these “miscellaneous” charges?
I’ve had to push back a few times—usually when I see “miscellaneous” or “supplies” with no detail. Sometimes they’ll knock it off the bill, but other times they just get defensive. As for Net 30 vs. upfront, I’ve noticed work tends to move faster if there’s at least some payment held until completion. When I paid 100% upfront, the job dragged out longer than expected. Partial payments seem to keep everyone honest.
I hear you on the “miscellaneous” line items—drives me nuts. I’ve had some luck pushing back, but it really depends on the contractor’s mood that day. As for payment terms, I never pay 100% upfront anymore. Learned that lesson the hard way when a siding job took twice as long as promised. Holding back a chunk until the end seems to keep everyone motivated. Net 30 works if you trust the crew, but partial payments are my go-to now.
Holding back a chunk until the end seems to keep everyone motivated.
Yeah, that's been my experience too. The minute you pay everything upfront, it's like the job falls into a black hole—calls go unanswered, timelines get “adjusted,” and suddenly every little hiccup is “unexpected.” I learned that the hard way after a hailstorm a couple years back. Paid a guy 80% up front for a quick patch on the roof, and he basically vanished for three weeks. I had to chase him down just to get him to finish the last 10 feet of flashing.
I get why some contractors want a big deposit, especially with material costs being what they are these days, but there’s gotta be some trust both ways. I’m all for partial payments—maybe a third up front for materials, another chunk halfway, and then the rest when I can actually see the finished work. Keeps everyone honest, in my opinion.
Net 30 is nice in theory, but I only do that with folks I’ve worked with before and really trust. Otherwise, it feels like I’m just asking for trouble. And don’t even get me started on those “miscellaneous” line items... Had a guy try to charge me $400 for “site cleanup” on a one-day job. I told him I’d supply the trash bags myself if it meant knocking that off the bill.
At the end of the day, it’s all about leverage. If you hold the purse strings, you’ve got at least a little say in how things go. Otherwise, you’re at the mercy of someone else’s schedule and priorities—and that’s not a place I like to be, especially when there’s a tarp flapping on my roof and rain in the forecast.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve had a couple jobs where I paid too much up front and suddenly the “quick” project turned into a waiting game. It’s wild how fast folks disappear once they’ve got most of your money. These days, I’m all about splitting it up—just enough to cover materials, then the rest when I can actually see progress. I don’t mind paying for good work, but I’d rather not bankroll someone’s vacation while my gutters are still hanging off the house. Those “miscellaneous” charges crack me up too... like, what exactly are we cleaning up on a half-day job?