You can make up a schedule.. and ask him to go for it..
i.e 20% to 40% up front depending on materials costs when compared to total cost..
10% to 20% on first day (if work was carried out off site before first day, i.e cabinet making... doesn't apply in your case but does in my trade which is bespoke kitchens and furniture etc)
maybe a weekly payment if work will take 3 weeks or longer... paid as long as work is progressing, most likely in your case
at least 30% to 40% held back until final day and work is completed to your satisfaction, or to specification...
possibly 5% to 20% held back after completion for reasonable period if a settling in period is required... not for all jobs but any jobs where flaws may not show up for a period after completion... i.e guttering, money could be held back until serious rainfall... driveway, money may be held back for 5/6 weeks to check for settling or cracks or something.
Only holding 5% back for an entire house build, i.e 5,000 on a 100,000 build may not be enough.. if a serious problem like cracked walls show up 5,000 isn't enough if remedial action would cost 30,000. Having said that I have no idea what is considered normal or reasonable... you may not get a builder if you insist on holding back 15% for 6 months, it may represent a lot of the profit and if you ever refused to pay it he may have been working for free...
The point is every job is different and it's up to your negotiating skills.