money payment scams

The Stage Payment Shuffle – When Work Stops Every Time You Pay

You have got a payment schedule, the builder is on site, and things seem to be moving. Then — the work stops.

20 January 202308:004 min read

Thinking of hiring a builder?

Run a Builder Due Diligence check before signing a contract or paying a deposit. The RAG system highlights positive indicators, missing information and potential warning signs.

The Builder Due Diligence check is temporarily unavailable. You can still get advice or report a rogue builder.

You have got a payment schedule, the builder is on site, and things seem to be moving. Then — the work stops. Every time you chase, the builder asks for the next payment before continuing.

The shuffle pattern

Builder requests stage payment early

Work slows after payment received

Builder refuses to continue until next payment

Homeowner ends up paying most of the total before work is half done

How to protect yourself

Tie every payment to a specific, measurable milestone

Never pay more than 10-20% upfront

Retain a final payment until all work is complete and inspected

Run a Builder Due Diligence RAG check through Contraka

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The Stage Payment Shuffle – When Work Stops Every Time You Pay

Thinking of hiring a builder?

The shuffle pattern

How to protect yourself

What to Read Next

The Phantom Quote Trick – When Cheap Turns Out Costly

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