A tub or shower remodel is a big investment. It makes sense that you don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket and have someone potentially run away with the money. The last thing anyone would want is to leave themselves financially exposed.
So you might be wondering: Do I have to pay for my tub and shower remodel upfront?
Short answer: No. The longer answer: No one should ever ask you to pay the full amount for your project upfront. If the contractor takes the money before your project is done, you have no recourse once you’ve paid in full.
At Shugarman’s Bath, we’ve seen how companies handle payments the right and wrong way. Not only do we follow California’s rules, but we’ve designed our payment options to help protect homeowners during their tub and shower remodeling projects.
In this article, you’ll learn about what California law allows, what contractors can collect before projects are completed, and what the payment timeline typically looks like. You’ll also see the options Shugarman’s Bath provides so you can know where your money is going and when it’s due.
How Much Can a Contractor Ask for Upfront in California?
California has clear rules that protect homeowners during any home improvement project. In short, no contractor can ask you to pay upfront in full before your project is complete. Here’s how typical payments work in compliance with California law.
Down Payment Limits
A contractor can only take $1,000 or 10% of the total project cost, whichever is less. Any deposit amount beyond that is illegal.
Progress Payments
Contractors may collect a progress payment. These payments typically include efforts made by your contractor to move the project forward.
This payment will be on top of the deposit. In total, this is typically around 30% of the total project cost with Shugarman’s Bath. This can vary from contractor to contractor.
Note: There may be additional payments that a contractor requests as the project progresses. It depends on the contractor. Regardless, consumer protection laws would be broken if a contractor asked and took full payment before completing a project.
The Final Payment
The last portion of the project is held by you until your remodel is complete.
Some contractors will ask for large amounts of money before your project. Read our article on how to best protect yourself financially before hiring a contractor.
How Does Shugarman’s Bath Handle Payments for My Remodel?
We typically provide two types of payment options for your peace of mind:
- Cash, Check, or Credit Card Payments
- Easy Pay Program, AKA financing options with Shugarman's Bath
Option One: Paying in Cash, Check, or Credit Card
We divide this payment option into three simple steps:
1. Down Payment
As stated earlier, you pay the fee of $1,000 or 10% of the total project cost, whichever is less. Since our projects are typically over $11,000, it would be the $1,000.
2. First Progress Payment
This paid 3-5 days after the $1,000 deposit. The amount paid after this point is around 30% of the total project cost.
3. The Final Payment
You hold onto the final 70% until:
- Your job is complete
- This means you and the installer have walked through the finished project, and you’ve signed your Certificate of Completion.
That’s it. We make this as easy as possible. The only exception is with custom glass. The structure changes slightly:
- After the main installation, an additional 50% is collected.
- After the custom glass is measured, manufactured, and installed, the final 20% is paid.
Option Two: Easy Pay Options
Most homeowners choose the Easy Pay program, which offers multiple financing options for your tub and shower remodel. It allows for spread-out costs over time.
With financing options:
- No money down is required
- No progress payments
- No home equity or collateral
- No prepayment penalties
- You choose the monthly payments that fit your budget
- The first payment doesn’t start until approximately 30 days after you approve the payment request via email. You are sent this email after your project is complete.
Which Easy Pay options are available?
There are a couple of payment plan options:
1. No-Interest Plans
These options allow you to hold onto your money without paying any interest. The catch is that they are within a shorter timeframe.
2. Plans With Interest
These options have lower monthly payments over a long-term period, but come with interest.
Check our page that goes in-depth about our financing options.
A Tub and Shower Remodeler That Works With Your Wallet
No reputable contractor would ever ask you to pay for a project in full upfront. California law protects you by limiting deposits and preventing full payment from being collected before your tub or shower remodel is complete, let alone any home improvement project.
Shugarman’s Bath makes payments transparent and straightforward. We don’t want you to guess what’s normal and take unnecessary financial risks. Our payment timelines and financing options exist so you know exactly when and where your money is going.
If you have any other questions about payment options or want to schedule a free consultation, contact Shugarman’s Bath today!
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