Many builders claim money up front, but in fact have accounts with suppliers. The one who lived next door to my parents, did a job for someone living opposite and said "I wouldn't rip you off, or do a bad job cos I live on your doorsptep"
He did rip them off and do a bad job, he claimed money upfront for the materials to put a new roof on the house. He obtained the supplies on his account, materials were delivered and he went bankrupt. The local roofing centre involved were owed £37k by this builder, as well as other building merchants being owed money.
I saw all the bankrupcy papers, and his wife was claiming for unpaid secretarial expenses and the house had been put into her mothers name!
Then again builders are like many other companies that get stuff up front without ever paying, ntl and the millions of pounds worth of orders that they took delivery of when they knew they were close to bankrupcy but denying it, is a prime example