ORIGINAL: YellowAircraft
Hi,
When I build for hire, it's kit and materials only up-front. The build fee is payable upon proof of packaging for shipment. Other guys do deposits, and that works great for a lot of builders and their customers. I just do it this way because that's how I prefer to have it done when I'm the customer.
I do the same as Shaun for the most part, but do request a partial payment, usually when the airplane is in primer. The owner gets proof of the build with pictures throughout the build. I have an F86 that I have been building, my shop got hit by a tornado back in april that halted the build while I got the shop repaired but again the customer was made aware. The customer also knew from the beginning that building models is NOT my primary source of income, the build is done to a schedule but that schedule can change depending on work load at my real job.
Andy I have to respect you for not trashing the guy to his kid, but I know I would not take lightly the fact that he stole money from you. Small claims court would probably be a waste of time, I'm sure you can think of alternative ways to get retribution.
DR