**A modest deposit is normal. A large one is the most common way homeowners lose money on roofing.**
What’s reasonable:
– **A materials deposit** roughly covering the order, typically a limited percentage of the contract, is standard practice.
– **Nothing at all** is also common — many established contractors order on their own supplier credit and bill at completion.
– **Progress payments** tied to real milestones: materials delivered, tear-off complete, final inspection passed.
What isn’t reasonable:
– **Half or more of the total before work begins.**
– **Cash only,** or payment to an individual rather than the business.
– **Full payment before final inspection.** Your last payment is the only leverage you have if something is unfinished.
– **A deposit demanded on the spot** during the first conversation.
Protect yourself: pay by check or card so there’s a record, make it payable to the registered business name, get a written receipt tied to the contract, and never pay the final installment until you’ve walked the property and the permit inspection has passed.
If a contractor won’t order materials without a large deposit, that tells you something about their supplier credit — which tells you something about the business.