My husband just had his car(65 Biscayne) at this guys garage and the guy asked for more than half up front than when hes done he will get the rest. We paid him $1300 and everytime my husband went up there, the shop was closed. He had his cell shut off and everything. Finally my husband talked to a friend of ours that works for the sherriffs dept and she got his address and everything so my husband and a few others had to go to this guys house to have him go and open the garage. We got the car back that night but we found out later the guy had several claims against him for the same stuff.
MY suggestion would be if they ask for money up front or don't want to tell you about any other clients or people he did cars for dont do it. It will be more heartache than its worth. If you do decide to do it. I would write something up saying what he's got of yours, how long it will take him, the set price ect... When this guy first started working on my husbands car it was only going to cost him 1500 but after he got started he said well if you give me 300 more I will do this and this. Long story short we got screwed because we didnt think about what could happen before it was too late.

If its a company see if he cares insurance just in case something happens.

GOOD LUCK!!!