Many tradespeople do not ask for a deposit because they are afraid of losing the job. Then they wait months for money for materials they have already paid for. Here is what deposit is usual and how to ask for it so the client sees it as a sign of professionalism, not distrust.
In short
- A deposit should cover at least the materials you buy for the job.
- 30 to 50 % is usual, more for made-to-measure work.
- Put the deposit in the quote, do not ask for it only after the client signs.
- Explain that the deposit pays for materials, not for your profit.
Basic rule: the deposit covers materials
The simplest measure is the share of materials in the quote. If materials are 40 % of the total, a 40 % deposit means you pay nothing out of your own pocket. That makes the deposit easy to explain.
Typical deposits by type of job
- Tiling, painting, flooring: 30–40 %, depending on who buys the materials.
- Plumbing and heating: 40–50 %, because boilers, water heaters and sanitaryware are expensive.
- Joinery and fitted kitchens: 40–50 %, because material cut to size cannot be returned.
- PVC and aluminium windows: 40–50 % on order.
- Larger construction jobs: a deposit, then interim invoices by stage.
Put the deposit in the quote
The biggest mistake is asking for a deposit only after the client has accepted the price. Then it sounds like something new. When the deposit is part of the quote, the client accepts it together with the price.
Add a clear sentence to the quote, for example: "40 % deposit for materials before work starts, the balance on completion and handover."
How to tell the client
A few sentences that work:
- "The deposit is for the tiles and adhesive, which I order as soon as you confirm, so we can start on time."
- "We make the kitchen to your measurements, so the material is cut only for you. That is why the deposit is 50 %."
- "You pay the rest only when you have checked everything and are happy."
The last sentence matters: the client knows they keep control of most of the amount.
What if the client refuses a deposit
Offer a smaller deposit just for the most expensive material, or let the client pay the supplier directly for the materials. If they refuse that too, it is often a sign of how the final payment will go.
Faster with AdBooks
When the client signs the quote on their phone, you create the deposit invoice from the quote by entering a percentage. The client gets it on WhatsApp or Viber and can pay by card, and the deposit is deducted from the final invoice automatically.
Frequently asked questions
What deposit is usual?
Usually 30 to 50 %. A good measure is the share of materials in the quote.
When should I ask for a deposit?
Put it in the quote so the client accepts it together with the price, and issue the deposit invoice as soon as the quote is signed.
What if the client will not pay a deposit?
Offer a smaller deposit for the most expensive materials, or let the client pay the supplier directly.