When do you pay contractors?

[bunnymendelbaum]

So, I just had an awkward situation. The tiler finished yesterday and the boss came by today to look and do one little thing. Then he asked for a check. I went to write it for him and I'm out of checks. Awkward. He seemed miffed. I honestly just expected to mail it to him. Our quote/contract doesn't state anything beyond down payment due within 60 days to hold a price quote.

The drywallers are completely the opposite. I haven't paid him for work he did in December! I guess that is how he is. He will call people 3 months after he finishes a job to get paid (and give a final invoice.)

So what is the norm? I feel a little sick to my stomach not paying the tiler today, but I was caught off guard. (And seriously, of ALL the times to be out of a check. I NEVER write paper checks!)

When do you expect to pay a contractor?

[my4girls]

as soon as they are done and I "approve" the work. If they are doing it when I am not there I will check it as soon as I get home and mail the check the next day- if I am there I will hand them a check. I think it's a little weird you didn't expect to pay for it once it was done and you checked it out to make sure there wasn't any issues.

[bunnymendelbaum]

Ok, so the tiler just called and basically said he is sorry he got miffed. That it is totally normal for us to not expect to pay that day. Ugh. I feel sick about it though.

[pixiedevil]

Lurker coming out. I don't pay contractors until they send me a final invoice. Most of the contractors I know send out final invoices, especially if they know they are being paid by an insurance company or went over/under the proposal amount.

[lolc]

I always pay once the contractor is done and the work is to my satisfaction. Usually the last day they are at the house.

I had that happen once before (couldn't find my checkbook, which I rarely ever use) and the contractor seemed slightly annoyed but said it was ok. I got the check to him later that evening.

[pitterwoo]

I pay that day or the last day they are there. If I had to mail a check I don't know when it would get there. I hate messing with the mail, it just seems like a chore so I'd rather be done with it.

[sratsey]

I have always paid directly to the contractor, the day they're finished and I've approved the work.

[lmdbww]

I usually expect to pay when they are finished.

Our painter worked when we weren't home though so said it was ok to mail a check but I had him come back and touch up something so I left it for him when he came back.

Having no checks was an innocent mistake, no worries.