What's a fair deposit??

[rockman]

As said , his shop / his terms , it you don't like it , go elsewhere simply .
When I built retaining walls , I asked for 30% + plus up-front , quite a simple way to see if people  had the money  or whether you were going to find out at the end of job that you would be fighting for your money . The only job that I didn't get a good deposit from , I lost 75K and my business .

With my trailer build , I put down 50% before the welder even got warmed up .
Asking him to be negotiable on his deposit terms ... good luck with one , I know what I would do if it was my business .
Ask around , surely he must have done other work , ask to see his other work and ask them what they thought of his work .

[Jon]

The OP asked what was a legitimate deposit.
In NSW for contracts over $10,000 a trades person can only legally demand 10%.

If the amount of deposit is set by mutual agreement then that is fine, just 10% is the legal bottom end.

Personally I install AC units outside of my normal job. If someone wants me to provide the unit that's fine as I get them a good price.
BUT, they pay for it in total prior to me starting work, then labour at completion.

So I understand that the Trailer guy might want 30-50%.