Painter wants 25% down to paint house

[Bienes Raices]

He says it's for materials. Would you do this or pass and look for someone else?

[Paul B.]

I have never paid a painter a penny until the work was done, but I can see where he's coming from.

Let's say you book the job, he has you in the calendar, then, Surprise! The day before the gig, you decide you don't want him to do the job. Now he's probably lost the day because he can't get another job lined up in 24 hours.

I would avoid paying anything in advance unless you know for sure that you're dealing with someone very reputable. Even then, I would cut it down to 10% or something, and I'd also try to pay that with a credit card, so that if he flakes out on you and doesn't show, you can get your money back.