Lucky you but here is one who would never employ you. Seen to much grief over the years. Look at that Brighton company in the news a month or so ago. Left people who had paid up front with £'000s pounds of debt. Most builders who need money up front use the deposit to pay debts built up on...
As a Building Estimator/Quantity Surveyor all my life I have always told householders when I visit them for pricing purposes " If our quote is not the one you want to use promise me you will NOT pay your proposed builder any money up front. If they ask for same they are not a trustworthy...