Key takeaways
- A deposit is standard — customers expect it from professionals.
- Common range: 10–50%; the more you spend on materials up front, the higher it should be.
- Collect it before you buy materials or start work.
- On bigger jobs, tie payments to milestones (deposit / progress / final).
Short version: for most jobs, yes — ask for a deposit, usually somewhere between 10% and 50% of the total, depending on how much you're laying out for materials. It covers your costs, weeds out people who'll never commit, and it's completely normal.
How much deposit should I ask for?
There's no single rule, but a useful guide:
- Labor-light, quick jobs: a smaller deposit (or none) — say 10–25%.
- Material-heavy or custom jobs: more, often 30–50%, because you're fronting real money before you start.
- Big projects: a deposit plus progress payments (see below).
The principle: your deposit should at least cover what you'll spend before the customer pays again.
When should I collect it?
Before you order materials or show up to work — never after. Put it right in the quote as standard terms so it's expected, not a surprise. (It's one of the seven things every quote should include.)
How do I ask without it being awkward?
Don't "ask" — state it. When it's printed on the quote as your normal process, it stops being a negotiation:
"A 30% deposit holds your spot and covers materials; the balance is due on completion."
Said plainly and confidently, almost nobody pushes back. The ones who do usually weren't going to pay you anyway.
Should I use payment milestones?
On larger jobs, yes. Splitting it into deposit → progress payment(s) → final keeps you cash-flow positive and means you're never deep into a job you haven't been paid for. Make each milestone tied to something visible ("rough-in complete," "materials delivered").
This is exactly what JobPricer does for you: enter your overhead once and every quote shows labor, materials, overhead, and your real profit before you hit send.
Try it free →Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a contractor to ask for a deposit?
Yes — it's standard practice, especially when materials are involved. Customers expect it, and a contractor who asks for a reasonable deposit looks more professional, not less.
Is a 50% deposit too much?
Not for material-heavy or custom work where you're fronting a lot up front. For labor-only jobs it can feel steep — scale the deposit to how much you're spending before you get paid again.
How should customers pay the deposit?
Online (card or ACH) beats chasing a check — it's faster and the job starts sooner.
Taking deposits online means the money's in before you order materials.
CWritten by Craig, founder of JobPricer
I ran a contracting business and finished 500+ jobs before I built JobPricer. Everything here is what I wish someone had told me when I started quoting.