what are the stage payments to builder

Hi
We have just started building a small extension, we have a contract with our builder which lists the breakdown of payment but not when the payments should be made. We want to get an idea of when payments are usually made during a build so we have and idea before we question our builder on this.

To date we have paid 10k (1 week into the build), it took almost 3 weeks to put down foundations so we were determined not to hand over any more money until roof level, however on Friday the builder requested the next payment (10k) saying they need it to order the timber for the roof and other materials so they would be ready to start on the roof straight after the bank holiday, he said they would be working on Saturday to get walls up to the roof level. With short notice on Friday afternoon to get the money we were only able to give them part payment, and we were annoyed when builders didn't turn up at weekend! so the rush for the money wasn't necessary

Our concern is that we are paying too much without seeing much work completed (the build is progressing but we are about 2 weeks behind schedule), can anyone tell us what the usual payment stages are?
thanks
H

HOW DO YOU KNOW THE WORK IS BEING DONE TO PROPER STANDARDS....

oops... sorry about the caps...

an extension i ssupposed to comply with building regulations... have you anyone checking it??

usually and architect or engineer is engaged to manage stage payments and certify compliance...

Given the very bad weather that we have been encountering it doesn't seem all that unusual to be 2 weeks behind schedule and this would also make for a delay in foundations, its better that the standard of work is right than the speed of it being carried out. Just have a word with the builder as to why work didn't happen over the weekend but i would assume it had something to do with the fact that it pretty much poured rain all day.

Stage payments should be only ever made for work done. You should never, never pay money in advance. When a builder tells a client they need money to buy materials alarm bells start ringing. Any builder worth his salt has a 30 day credit account with his suppliers so he should not have to seek money up front. You should knock this on the head now. Get your engineer to look at the list of stage payments and indicate when they should be paid ( ie when will the value of work be done to that level so that a certain amount can be paid). Stages are normally set for eg at foundation poured, up to roof, roof complete, first fix, second fix, internal plastering etc.

If you pay money in advance and the builder goes into liquidation it is unlikely you will get your money back.

have you set out a timetable of payments with the builder? ie- when foundations are done - payment, when roof is on-payment etc

builders looking for cash on a friday afternoon are just looking for the cash for the weeks salarys.

i found before if you dont make stage payments of fixed amounts you will lose control of your budget very quickly indeed.

thanks for all the feedback
I think the builder was looking for cash for paying some wages,
Our architect has been in contact with the builder as the builder mentioned that he had to run a few queries by him and he mentioned that the architect would be coming to check the foundations but i dont think he did!!

I think from reading the replys that we need to insist the architect get more involved. How many times during a build should the Architect visit the site?


Thanks for advice
H