An employer will rarely make an unconditional pre-payment, that is, a down payment to a contractor at the start of the contract. He can, however, make early payment to the contractor for provision of offices, laboratory, and transport for the engineer’s staff on site, etc. (see Section ). These matters by no means cover the contractor’s outgoings for his initial set-up, especially when the pro- ject is very large and overseas, so significant advance payments, secured by a repayment bond, are often allowed
