Hiring a contractor should be the start of something exciting—a new kitchen, a fixed roof, a bathroom that finally works the way it should. But the money conversation can turn that excitement into stress real fast if something feels…off.
Payment structures are one of the clearest early warning systems you get before a project even begins, and the wrong request can signal chaos, delays, or outright financial risk. But you don’t need to be a construction expert to spot trouble—you just need to know what normal looks like, and what absolutely doesn’t.
