Service people, contractors, beware the over-extended, out-of-state, second homeowner, buying up properties to rent for investment, dictating terms, refusing to pay conventional deposits, honor agreements, then failing to be on site when the work is done, not answering calls or paying the balance on time. Get your contracts signed. Don't let out of state homeowners push you around. You are entitled to a deposit and balance due when work is finished, not when they get around to coming "down". They have the money to hire a PM to pay the invoice when the work is done.