Should l off sent a deposit before work

Yes it’s common to pay a deposit, decorators including myself do this via bank transfer to secure the booking, always as a non refundable deposit as this will partly ensure that folk don’t go wasting my time by looking for a cheaper quote when I’ve booked them in, the deposit would usually vary on the size of the job, therefore a percentage would be worked out.

Not normally, the only time i ask for a non refundable deposit is if a customer wants to book say 3 months in advance.as any other work has to work round that & if they cancel a week before or so (It does happen) then i coulx be left looking for work

It is common practice to pay a deposit before work commences,