Deposits for building work.How much to ask for, and how to take it.
Updated 13 October 2026 · 4 minute read
Short answer
There is no legal maximum deposit for building work in England. Consumer advice, including Citizens Advice, warns homeowners not to pay large sums up front and to use staged payments on big jobs. A deposit that covers materials ordered specifically for the job, set out clearly on the quote and paid by card or bank transfer with a receipt, is easiest to justify.
What homeowners are told
Homeowners are warned about rogue traders who take large deposits and disappear. Citizens Advice tells them not to pay large sums up front, to avoid anyone asking for big cash deposits, and to agree staged payments for larger jobs. Your deposit request needs to look nothing like that.
How much deposit to ask for
- Enough to cover materials ordered specifically for the job, especially anything made to measure.
- Small enough that it does not frighten a careful customer. On large jobs, use stages tied to clear milestones instead of one big payment.
- Shown on the quote before the customer accepts, with the amount and the reason.
How to take a deposit professionally
- Put the deposit amount and the payment stages on the written quote.
- Take it by card or bank transfer, never cash, and give a receipt.
- Remember the customer may have a 14 day cancellation right if the contract was agreed at their home or online.
- Pay it into a business account and keep a record against the job.
Taking deposits in Upheld
In Upheld the deposit is part of the quote. When the customer accepts, they can pay it by card on their phone, straight into your own Stripe account. Upheld never holds your money.
Common questions
Is there a legal limit on deposits for building work in the UK?
There is no legal maximum in England. Consumer advice warns homeowners against paying large sums up front, so keep deposits proportionate and explain them.
Can a customer get their deposit back if they cancel?
If the contract was agreed at their home or online they usually have 14 days to cancel, and you must refund payments, though you may keep a proportionate amount for work they asked you to start within that time.
Should I take a deposit for small jobs?
For small jobs with stock materials many trades take payment on completion. Deposits make most sense where you are ordering materials specifically for the customer.
Sources
- Citizens Advice: problems with the cost of building work
- Citizens Advice: cancelling building or decorating work
- The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013
General information, not legal or tax advice. Check the source for your situation.
Read next
How to write a quote for a job (UK guide for trades)
What to put in a quote for a job in the UK: your details, the scope, itemised prices, VAT, validity, deposit and cancellation rights. With a checklist and an example.
Quote vs estimate: the difference in the UK
A quote is a fixed price; an estimate is a best guess. What the difference means in UK law, when to use each, and how to word them so you are not caught out.
How to follow up on a quote (with email and text examples)
When and how to follow up on a quote you have sent, with example texts and emails for trades. Plus how to know when the customer is actually looking at it.
Send your next quote from the driveway.
Free for eight weeks. Then Starter at £79 or Pro at £179 a month, plus VAT. Cancel any time.