Had a similar situation once, but honestly, even being upfront didn't totally smooth things over. We had a homeowner paying in chunks, and when the delay hit (wrong color shingles delivered—classic), they got pretty uneasy about the next payment. Can't really blame them...I'd probably feel the same way. Still, chunk payments do keep both sides honest, I guess. Just gotta hope nothing weird happens mid-job.
I get the logic behind chunk payments, but honestly, I've seen them cause more headaches than they're worth sometimes. Had a project once where the homeowner got super nitpicky mid-job because they felt entitled to micromanage every step after each payment. Sure, it keeps everyone accountable, but doesn't it also kinda invite extra anxiety and mistrust? Maybe a clear upfront deposit and final payment after completion is simpler...less room for misunderstandings.
I've seen chunk payments go sideways too. Had a green roof install last year where the homeowner started questioning every little plant choice after the second payment. It turned into daily check-ins and constant second-guessing... exhausting for everyone involved. Still, I wouldn't totally dismiss chunk payments—just gotta set clear boundaries upfront about what's included at each stage. Maybe a detailed milestone checklist could help avoid misunderstandings and keep anxiety levels down.
Chunk payments can definitely get tricky, but honestly, detailed milestone checklists aren't always enough. I've found that even with clear boundaries, some clients still get anxious mid-project and start micromanaging. Instead, I prefer smaller, more frequent payments tied directly to specific tasks—like materials delivered, framing completed, waterproofing done. It gives homeowners peace of mind seeing tangible progress before paying again, and it keeps expectations realistic on both sides. Just my two cents...
I get what you're saying, but as a first-time homeowner, I actually found detailed milestone checklists pretty reassuring. Smaller payments tied to clear tasks made me feel way less stressed...and honestly, it kept me from hovering too much over the crew. Worked out great for us.
