Read the deposit terms first
The written agreement should identify the amount, payment recipient, accepted method, refund conditions, cancellation deadline, and any rescheduling rules.
Confirm the payee
Pay the legal business named on the agreement, not an unfamiliar individual. Save the receipt, confirmation, signed estimate, and every message about the reservation.
Ask about schedule changes
Southwest Florida closings, building approvals, and storms can change timing. Ask how much notice is required and whether the deposit transfers to a new date.
Pressure is useful information
Slow down if you are pushed to pay immediately, prevented from reading terms, asked to use a hard-to-trace method, or told written cancellation language does not matter.
If you cancel
Send notice through the method required by the agreement and keep proof of delivery. Request written confirmation of the cancellation and any refund calculation.