Paying tradesmen cash or cheque

[Sugar Ray]

I am paying my painter 1800 and he has asked for �300 in cash upfront for materials - I plan to rent the place out so wanted to pay via cheque with a receipt - is this the norm - is it ok to say I want to pay by cheque only

[cascarelli]

You can still get a receipt for cash - and in fact you should incase there's any dispute later on about payment

Personally, I'd rather pay by cheque but if he's starting straight away I can see he'd rather have cash rather than wait for a cheque to clear

[TheLondoner]

Why dont you offer to go along and purchase the materials with him......Keep the receipt.. you can then deduct that cost from the final bill and the end?

[Bestcabby]

My mates a plasterer, he tells his customers a price for labour, t ells them what materials he wants & where to order. That way they got receipts from e.g. builders merchants, and the firm doing the job.