Implement a Milestone-Based Payment Schedule

What happens here

This step addresses 'The Ghost' scam, where contractors take a significant down payment and then abandon the project or become unresponsive. To prevent this, never pay a large upfront sum. Instead, negotiate a clear payment schedule that is tied to specific project milestones. Payments should only be released upon the satisfactory completion of defined stages of work (e.g., foundation complete, framing done, roof installed). This schedule protects both parties by ensuring the contractor is compensated for work completed, while minimizing the homeowner's financial risk if the contractor fails to perform.

Goal: Avoid 'The Ghost' scam by structuring payments based on achieved project milestones.