Needing payment upfront makes them a 'hobbyist' and not a real contractor. I'd tell them to GPOAR.
On the flip side, you will not be funding your remodel out of my checkbook.
My (now) septic tank guy will not even show up unless you are a regular customer in the past or have a good referral. Said doing all the work up front and getting nothing but a worthless check in return got old.