Well i mean £300 deposit which seems to cover all of your costs but you could get a much cheaper hotel lol! so would you complete the job then take the balance ? really think you would get much more business this way mate I'm trying to help you out here not slate you!Id be willing to trial a £300 deposit and rest on arrival, I did lose 2 deals last year not being willing to take a deposit and a few people have said to go that route. So yes I have been toying with it.
My fear is thou ( use you as an example ) I pay between £78-£150 on train travel and 4 nights at a hotel at £50 a night thats a minimum of £278 paid out and if you decide last minute you dont want that date or cant afford balance there is the small matter of the the 14 hour round trip.
At least if the full balance is paid we know the job is on and we can prepare properly.
Balance on completion would be a must though! and if the clown didnt have the balance youve got his 300 notes which have covered your costs. Might be even an idea if you took £500 more than covers your costs then the windy can do the first clean then you get the balance ?