is a contractor allowed to ask for 50% upfront for a job in Idaho? I have a roofing bid for a project and this contractor is the only major roofer in the area.
I'm not aware of any limitation on deposits or down payments for Idaho contractors, and nothing appeared in a quick search either. With that being said, I'm not intimately familiar with Idaho construction laws - so contacting one of these Idaho construction lawyers might provide some clarity for you: Top Idaho Construction Lawyers.
Still, any time a substantial down payment is being required, it's likely a good idea to ask for an itemized accounting of what the down payment is being used for and why such a large figure is required. Additionally, considering the substantial investment, it'd be wise to require a few referrals from past customers, as well. Granted, if the contractor doesn't have any competition, they might be resistant.