Hiring someone you have never met to work in your home takes a little trust. These seven checks take a few minutes and remove most of the risk.

1. Get the quote in writing

A written quote should say what work is included, the price, and what is not covered. If the price could change, ask what would cause that.

2. Check they have the right qualifications

Gas work must be done by someone on the Gas Safe Register. Electrical work in some cases must be notified under the building regulations. If a job needs a particular registration, ask to see it.

3. Ask about insurance

If something is damaged, public liability insurance is what pays for it. A professional will not mind the question.

4. Read recent reviews

Look for patterns rather than a single review: turning up on time, tidying up, sticking to the price. Treat a page of perfect reviews with a lot of identical wording with caution.

5. Be careful with cash and large deposits

Paying a large amount in cash before work starts leaves you with little recourse. Paying by card or through a platform gives you a record and makes disputes easier to sort out.

6. Agree timings and access

Agree the start time, how long it should take, and who will be there. You should know who is coming to your door.

7. Know what to do if something goes wrong

Take photos of the work as soon as it is finished. Tell the provider about any problem quickly and in writing. Pluggerzz has a seven-day window for reporting a problem with a job, so report issues promptly.

Red flags that should make you walk away

• A cold caller or leaflet-drop offering to start today, especially if they point out a "problem" you did not know about.
• Pressure to decide on the spot, or a price that is only "available today".
• No fixed address, no company name, or a quote that is just a number on a scrap of paper.
• A request for the full amount in cash before any work has started.
• Reviews that all appear on the same day or sound as if one person wrote them.

Questions to ask before you book

1. Have you done this exact kind of job before, and can you show me?
2. Is the price fixed, or could it change? What would change it?
3. Do you provide the materials, and are they included?
4. How long will it take, and will you be working alone?
5. What happens if I am not happy with the result?

Which jobs need extra care

Some work has legal or safety rules around it. Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and a yearly boiler service is a good example: see how much a boiler service costs and what to check. Work at height, such as gutter clearing, carries a real risk of falls, so insurance matters: see what gutter cleaning costs and how to get a fair price.

Why paying through a platform helps

When you pay a stranger in cash, you have nothing to point to if the work is poor or never finished. Paying through Pluggerzz means the price is agreed before the visit, the payment is recorded, and you can report a problem within seven days of the job. It does not replace good judgement, but it gives you a paper trail.

Frequently asked questions

Should I always pick the cheapest quote?

No. An unusually low price can mean cut corners or extra charges later. Compare two or three quotes for the same work and ask why they differ.

What if the job costs more than the quote?

A fair provider will tell you before doing anything extra and agree the new price first. If the job turns out bigger than expected, ask for the extra cost in writing before work continues.

Should I be at home while the work is done?

For most jobs it is sensible to be there at the start to show where the work is and agree what happens at the end. If you cannot be, tell the provider beforehand and arrange for someone you trust to let them in.

How do I know the person is who they say they are?

Ask for ID on arrival, and use a platform that checks identity so you are not relying on a phone number alone.

Find a local pro on Pluggerzz, see prices up front and book in minutes.