What a deposit is for
A deposit reserves your place on the schedule and pays for materials bought specifically for your bathroom: tile, the vanity, the shower valve, sometimes custom glass. It should roughly match what the contractor has to spend before the first day of work.
The right amount depends on the job. A refresh with stock materials needs little up front. A primary bath with a custom vanity and special-order tile needs more, because those items are paid for weeks ahead and cannot be returned.
A payment schedule that protects both sides
| When | What it covers |
|---|---|
| At signing | Deposit: schedule slot and material orders |
| Start of work | Demo, rough plumbing and electrical |
| Midpoint | Waterproofing done and tile under way |
| Completion | Final payment after the walkthrough and any punch-list items |
Short jobs of a few days often use just two or three payments. What matters is that each payment follows finished work you can see, and that some money is held until the end.
Check the license before you pay anything
Arizona contractors are licensed through the Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Look up the license number on the ROC website and confirm it is active, that the name matches the contract, and whether there are complaints. Hiring a licensed contractor also gives you access to the ROC complaint process if something goes wrong. An unlicensed installer gives you none of that, which makes any deposit riskier.
The deposit amount and every later payment should be written in the contract. This page is general guidance, not legal advice.
How to pay
- Pay the company named on the contract, not an individual.
- Use a check or a card so there is a record. Avoid cash.
- Get a receipt for every payment.
- Ask what happens to the deposit if you cancel before materials are ordered, and get the answer in the contract.
Red flags
- Half or more of the price requested before any work.
- A deposit requested before you have a written scope and price.
- Pressure to pay today to hold a discount.
- No ROC number on the bid or contract.
Key facts
- Reasonable deposit
- 10%–30% of the contract
- Red flag
- More than 30% before work starts
- Depends on
- How much custom or special-order material the job needs
- Verify first
- Active Arizona ROC license matching the contract name
Related questions
Where we do this work
Services: Full Bathroom Remodel
Bathroom remodeling in Phoenix, Chandler, Surprise, and across the Valley.