Start with verification, not recommendations
A neighbour's recommendation tells you someone did one job well once. It doesn't tell you who they are or where to find them if something goes wrong. Before anything else, confirm the artisan's identity and that they run a registered business.
Look at past work and ratings
Ask for photos of similar jobs, and read what other customers say. Pay attention to comments about punctuality, communication and clean-up, not just the finished result.
Agree the scope and price in writing
- What exactly will be done, and what won't
- Which materials are included, and who buys them
- The total price, and whether there's a callout or inspection fee
- When the work will start and roughly how long it will take
Never pay everything up front
Large up-front deposits are the most common way customers lose money. Use a payment method that holds your money until the work is done — on OgaRepair, payment sits in escrow and is only released when you confirm the job is complete.