down payment

• If the project is over $1000, then payments are split into 2 installments. 
• Downpayment is due upon acceptance of bid and is required to hold your date; the rest is due upon completion of the project.  
• For projects under $1,000, a $100 downpayment is required to hold your date. 
• Receipt of payment constitutes acceptance of bid and terms of service.  
• Contractor also accepts Check, Venmo, or Zelle. 
• Please add a 3% convenience Fee to all Credit Card payments. **
• Checks are made payable to Ernest M. Stevens, or The Ernest Carpenter.

Materials cost is not factored into the bid.   We have however provided a material purchase list for the products we recommend for the project as a part of this bid. The homeowner is responsible for the cost of materials used in the Work.  

When we do the shopping for the client we will charge for our time at our normal hourly rate.  The pickup and delivery of materials will be factored into our hourly rate, if we are charging by the hour.   If we are charging by the project, then a pickup/delivery fee will be added. 

When the Client does the shopping, the Client warrants that the materials purchased are new.  If not new, the client understands that there are inherant risks in installing, or attempting to install a product that is/or has been used previously, especially when it comes to light fixtures or plumbing, and we take no responsibility to their failure, or damage that results from their failure, nor will we warranty the work.  We cannot install drywall that was not purchased new by us. 

Homeowner shall reimburse contractor for materials purchased, if the contractor requires materials for the project.  The homeowner will reimburse the contractor for any materials purchased for the project, if the contractor makes purchases on behalf of the client.   The contractor will give the client a list of recommended materials, keeping both budget, and quality in mind. 

Obtainment and the purchase of materials can be handled in the following manner.  Please indicate which option you would like.  

(1) The contractor will give the homeowner a list of recommended purchases. The homeowner makes the purchases, and picks up materials or has them delivered to the jobsite.  The client is 100% responsible for ensuring the materials are onsite prior to the job starting.  

(2)  The contractor will do the shopping for the client and deliver to the job-site.  Depending on the amount and size of the materials, we will pickup and deliver the materials, or if the project is large, we will build the materials list, send to Lowes ProDesk who will build the invoice, and will call you client directly for a “phone-sale".  Pickup/Delivery fees may apply. 

Note: If we are purchasing materials for the homeowner and the cost of materials exceeds $50.00,  we will collect a downpayment based on the estimated cost of materials.  

Debris Removal.  The amount of debris generated by the project is dependent on the size of the job.  Smaller jobs only require contractors bags, medium size projects need a Waste Management Bagster, and large project need a dumpster.  We will provide contractor bags, but YOU are responsible for obtaining the Waste Management Bags, or for renting a dumpster.    We will move all the materials outside and break them down to fit into the Waste Management Bagsters, or dumpster.  We can pick up the Bagsters from Lowes or Home Depot,if requested, but if the job requires a dumpster it is the homeowners responsibility to order and have delivered.  Usually for small remodel jobs a bagster is sufficient.  Once filled you just call Waste Management and they will schedule a pick up.  They hook the bag to a crane and lift it right into the truck.  

If you DO NOT have either option this onsite, we will assume you want us to haul off the debris, and we will charge a fee starting at $150 for the debris removal per load. 

Delivery/Shopping Fees:  If we are responsible for picking up and delivering materials to the site the cost for delivery will be based on industry standards.  Generally we charge what the store would charge, if they offer the service, but that is also dependent on a variety of factors. 

Often the cost of materials will exceed the estimated downpayment, but from time-to-time the cost is under.  Please don't sent payment based on the estimated bid, rather wait for the final invoice with itemized costs.  We will email as soon as possible upon completion of the project.  Payment is due upon receipt of the invoice.  Contractor accepts Checks, Zelle, Venmo and CC.  Fees may apply.