Paying contractors with credit card vs cash

[tvguy]

Depends on what exactly you are buying and/or whether the contractor lets you buy our own materials. On something like faucets or a sink, where they are many choices/styles, I can see them letting you buy it yourself. For others types of construction materials, some contractors don't want to get involved if the wrong items/quantities/sizes are ordered and you still need to transport them to the construction site if the store doesn't offer delivery. If you have an excess, some items can't be returned or only complete bundles (like roof shingles) can be returned or the contractor doesn't want the bother of being a 3rd party.

If you pay any contractor in cash (vs. a check) make sure to get a receipt. This avoids issues later on if they claim you never paid them.

Every contractor I have dealt with considered a check the same as cash.

 

[Dan Murphy]

My landscaper will take only cash. I literally had to go to the bank and take out thousands of dollars for the patio he built.

That would be a new landscaper for me. Sounds like a sleezeball.

 

[georgina]

These days while square and other such devices may charge a fee even small businesses should be able to have things like this. With all the other payment methods available someone only taking cash and cash for large projects would make me wary of them. If a card is a no go I would do a cashier's/teller's check if possible for the amounts you'd be likely talking about.

Yes, my pilates instructor who has small group classes in her garage takes cards with this type of device. (Some of the vendors at my local farmer's market do too.) I usually give her a check anyway because I know she pays fees on a card transaction.

We almost always write checks for home renovation, new roof, etc services.

 

[mefordis]

That would be a new landscaper for me. Sounds like a sleezeball.

He's a nice guy, but of course if I had my way all of the contractors would take credit cards (for selfish reasons). Or even Venmo.

 

[Kirby]

My DH is a plumbing contractor. Most of our clients pay with a check. We accept credit cards and cash also but very few people actually choose to pay cash. Up until recently we absorbed the credit card processing fee but it has gotten to the point that we now add a fee to pay with a credit card. We let the client know about the fee (3%) and all but one has chosen to pay with a check, they don't want to pay the fee.

We do have clients that want buy their own fixtures, sometimes my DH will direct them to the supply houses that he uses. One thing he doesn't like is when a client buys fixtures off the internet. Nine times out of 10 there is something missing out of the box. He had a client this week that ordered a faucet three months ago. It arrived with parts missing. The manufacturer sent out replacement parts that were wrong. After many phone calls on her part, the manufacturer finally sent her a new faucet and it was installed. This isn't every case but it has happened quite a bit.

If you do choose to purchase your own fixtures you might ask the plumbing contractor if they warranty fixtures that they do not purchase. We only warranty fixtures that we buy. If the client chooses to purchase their fixtures themselves we only warranty installation. So if the fixture doesn't work correctly then the client has to do all the calling and dealing with the manufacturer.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I usually pay via check for smaller jobs, and credit card for larger jobs. Just had the plumber come by and paid him via Venmo. Had to take my car to the mechanic and paid check and cash. Last time I ran out of checks and paid via Zelle. My mechanic was funny, "I guess I'll put Zelle down for payment type." lol As long as I get an invoice/receipt, I'm good.

 

[JensHiggls]

I’ve found it really depends on how much control you want over the materials. I like buying my own fixtures so I can choose the exact style, but I let the contractor handle the stuff behind the walls. Curious if anyone here has run into contractors charging extra if you pay by credit card or if that’s becoming more common?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I’ve found it really depends on how much control you want over the materials. I like buying my own fixtures so I can choose the exact style, but I let the contractor handle the stuff behind the walls. Curious if anyone here has run into contractors charging extra if you pay by credit card or if that’s becoming more common?

Welcome to the DIS, Jens.