The $50 'good faith' deposit that saved me from a nightmare job

I used to just show up for a quote and hope for the best. After a guy in Mesa had me measure his whole yard for a custom fence, then ghosted me for three weeks, I changed my system. Now I ask for a small deposit before I even draw up the plans. It covers my time if they back out and shows they're serious. Has anyone else found a simple step that filters out the time-wasters?

3 comments

3 Comments

rose_perry1215d ago

Did you read that article about the contractor who started charging a consultation fee? It really cut down on the tire-kickers.

kevinallen15d ago

Wait, was that a consultation fee or a deposit that went toward the work? I feel like there's a big difference. A fee just to talk seems like it would turn away good clients too. But a small deposit that gets applied if you hire them? That makes way more sense and only filters out the people who were never serious.

nancy_west14d ago

Yeah, that part about a deposit that goes toward the work is so key, @kevinallen. My friend who does freelance design tried a straight-up fee and it totally backfired, she said it felt awkward. But when she switched to a small deposit, it just stopped the people who wanted endless free advice. The serious ones were totally fine with it.