How much is the deposit to start the works?
ak-KON-to — stress the second syllable; double 'k' before 'n' makes a crisp held sound.
Use this when discussing payment terms before work begins. Italian tradespeople typically request an acconto (deposit) of 20-50% to purchase materials and secure the booking. Never pay 100% upfront.
Acconto (deposit) is the upfront payment before work starts. Saldo is the final payment upon completion. A typical payment structure is: 30% acconto, 40% during works, 30% saldo at completion. Never pay 100% upfront — this removes your only leverage if work is poor. The acconto should be documented in the contract or at least confirmed by receipt.
Il saldo viene pagato a lavori finiti.
The final payment is made when the works are finished.
Insisting on saldo al termine (final payment on completion) protects you against abandonment.
Non pago tutto subito: pago a stati di avanzamento.
I don't pay everything immediately: I pay in stages.
Pagamenti a stati di avanzamento (progress payments) are the professional standard for larger projects.
Rilascia ricevuta per l'acconto?
Do you issue a receipt for the deposit?
Always ask for a ricevuta (receipt) or fattura (invoice) for any payment made.
Italian consumer associations (Codacons, Altroconsumo) consistently warn against paying large upfront deposits to tradespeople. Cases where tradespeople take deposits and disappear (truffe sull'acconto) are among the most common consumer fraud complaints reported to Italian police. The safest approach is to pay via bank transfer (traceable) in stages, with each payment linked to a completed and verified phase of work.