Is it normal for a contractor to ask for 50% upfront for a bathroom reno in Dieppe or is that too much?

Asking for 50% upfront is higher than typical for bathroom renovations in the Dieppe area — most reputable contractors request 10-25% down with progress payments tied to completion milestones.

For bathroom renovations in the greater Moncton area, standard payment structures usually involve a smaller deposit (10-20% of total project cost) to secure your spot and cover initial material orders, followed by payments at key stages like demolition complete, rough-in complete, and substantial completion. The final 10-15% is typically held until all deficiencies are addressed and you're completely satisfied.

Red flags to watch for include contractors demanding large upfront payments, asking for full payment before starting, or pressuring you to sign immediately. Under New Brunswick's Construction Remedies Act, you have specific rights regarding payment timing and lien protection. A contractor requesting 50% upfront may be experiencing cash flow issues or operating without proper business practices.

What's reasonable in the Dieppe market: For a typical bathroom renovation ($15,000-$35,000), expect to pay $1,500-$7,000 down, with the remainder split across 2-3 progress payments. Larger renovations involving structural work may justify slightly higher deposits to cover permit fees and specialty materials, but rarely exceed 30% upfront.

Protect yourself by verifying the contractor's WorkSafeNB coverage (mandatory for employers with 3+ workers), checking references from recent Dieppe-area projects, and ensuring they're properly licensed for any electrical or plumbing work through NB's Technical Inspection Services. For electrical work, they'll need a wiring permit from NB Power before starting, and TIS will handle the final inspection.

Get everything in writing, including the payment schedule, materials specifications, and timeline. If a contractor insists on 50% upfront, consider getting quotes from other professionals in our directory who follow more standard payment practices for the New Brunswick market.