5 questions to ask before you hire a Pro

Whether you're hiring someone to paint a room, repair something, cater an event, tutor your child or provide another service, a few questions before you commit can help you understand what you're agreeing to.

The exact checks depend on the job.

A small once-off service won't necessarily need the same checks as electrical work, childcare, healthcare, security work or a large renovation.

These five questions are a useful starting point.

1. Who am I hiring, and are there credentials I should check?

Start by understanding who you're dealing with.

On Know a Pro, South African Pros complete identity verification as part of signup before their profile can go live.

Once completed, their profile can display the ID Verified badge.

ID Verified means the Pro has completed Know a Pro's required identity-verification process.

It doesn't mean Know a Pro has verified their qualifications, professional registration, licence, skill, workmanship, reliability, safety or service quality.

Depending on the service, ask:

• Who will actually perform the work?
• Will anyone else attend?
• Does this work require a particular registration, licence or qualification?
• If a credential is important, where can I independently check it?
• Is insurance relevant to this particular job?

Not every service requires formal qualifications.

The point is to identify the checks that actually matter for the work you're hiring someone to do.

Check regulated work separately

Some South African services have specific regulatory or professional requirements.

Depending on the service, the relevant check might involve a professional council, regulator, registration, licence, certificate or other official requirement.

Identity verification and professional credentials are separate checks.

Don't assume the ID Verified badge covers both.

2. Can I see relevant reviews or examples of previous work?

Reviews and examples of previous work can provide useful context.

For visual work, photographs or a portfolio may help you understand the provider's style and the type of work they normally do.

For other services, reviews may help you understand previous customers' experiences with things such as:

• communication;
• punctuality;
• organisation;
• pricing clarity;
• workmanship; or
• how issues were handled.

But keep them in perspective.

Reviews don't prove that someone is qualified, trustworthy or suitable for your job, and previous work doesn't guarantee your future result.

Ask whether portfolio work is genuinely theirs

If previous work is important to your decision, ask enough questions to understand what you're looking at.

For example:

• Did this provider perform the work?
• What part of the project were they responsible for?
• Is the example similar to what I need?
• How recent is it?

This can be particularly useful for construction, renovations, design, photography, beauty, landscaping and other visual work.

References can be useful for some jobs

For higher-value, ongoing or sensitive services, you may decide that references are appropriate.

If references are provided, remember that they are another source of information, not a guarantee.

Don't assume someone is automatically unsuitable simply because they don't provide references for every type of job.

Match the check to the service.

3. What exactly is included in the price?

A price isn't very useful if you don't know what it covers.

Before committing to substantial work, clarify the scope.

Depending on the job, ask:

• What work is included?
• What isn't included?
• Who supplies materials?
• Are materials included in the price?
• Is travel or call-out included?
• Is delivery included?
• Are there additional labour charges?
• Is VAT included where applicable?
• What could cause the price to change?
• What happens if additional work is discovered?

Put important scope details in writing

For anything more than a very simple transaction, having the important terms recorded in writing can reduce misunderstandings.

Depending on the job, that could be:

• a quote;
• estimate;
• booking confirmation;
• job card;
• scope of work;
• proposal; or
• contract.

The appropriate document depends on the service.

Written terms don't guarantee that nothing will go wrong, but they give both sides a clearer record of what was agreed.

Ask how changes will be approved

Sometimes the scope genuinely changes after work starts.

A repair may uncover another problem. A renovation may reveal hidden damage. A customer may request additional work.

Ask how extra work and additional costs will be approved.

For substantial changes, getting approval in writing before proceeding can help avoid disputes later.

4. What is the total price, deposit and payment schedule?

Ask how the price works before paying.

Depending on the service, establish:

• fixed price or estimate;
• deposit amount;
• what the deposit covers;
• when the deposit is due;
• progress payments;
• when the balance is due;
• payment method;
• cancellation terms;
• refund terms where applicable; and
• circumstances in which the price may change.

A deposit isn't automatically suspicious

Deposits can be normal.

A provider may need to secure a booking, order materials, reserve equipment or begin custom work.

Rather than treating every upfront payment as a warning sign, understand:

• why the deposit is required;
• who you're paying;
• what it covers;
• what the applicable cancellation terms are; and
• what record you'll receive.

Be particularly careful if you're unexpectedly told to pay a different bank account.

Verify changed payment details directly with the provider through a contact method you already trust before sending money.

Be careful with full upfront payment

The appropriate payment structure varies by service.

For some goods, bookings or smaller jobs, full payment upfront may be normal.

For substantial projects, ask why full payment is required and consider whether a staged payment structure is more appropriate to the work.

Keep payment records

Keep appropriate records such as:

• quote or invoice;
• proof of payment;
• deposit receipt;
• relevant messages;
• approved changes; and
• final invoice where applicable.

5. When will the work start, and how long should it take?

Timing can be just as important as price.

Ask:

• When can you start?
• What is the expected completion date?
• Is that date fixed or estimated?
• What could cause delays?
• Are materials or stock already available?
• Are you relying on another supplier or contractor?
• How will you let me know if timing changes?

Understand the difference between a date and an estimate

Some work can be scheduled precisely.

Other work depends on weather, materials, deliveries, approvals, unexpected repairs or other factors.

Ask whether the timing is a firm commitment or an estimate.

If a deadline is important, say so before accepting the quote or booking.

Ask who will communicate with you

For longer or more complicated jobs, establish:

• who your contact person is;
• how updates will be provided;
• how questions should be raised; and
• who can approve changes.

Clear communication arrangements can be especially useful when several people are involved in a project.

Match the questions to the job

These five questions are a starting point, not a universal checklist for every situation.

Different services need different additional checks.

For example:

Childcare or care services: references, safeguarding considerations, experience and relevant qualifications may matter.

Healthcare: check the appropriate professional registration where relevant.

Security services: regulatory registration may matter.

Electrical or other regulated work: check the requirements applicable to the work being performed.

Large renovations or construction: scope, contracts, payment stages, insurance and applicable registrations or approvals may deserve closer attention.

Events: cancellation terms, deposits, timing and backup arrangements may be particularly important.

Don't rely on one badge, review or answer

No single question tells you everything you need to know about a provider.

Depending on the job, your decision may draw on:

• ID Verified;
• profile information;
• reviews;
• examples of work;
• references;
• relevant credentials;
• a written quote;
• payment terms;
• timing; and
• your own communication with the provider.

Use the checks appropriate to the service rather than treating one signal as a guarantee.

Your five-question checklist

Before you commit, ask:

1. Who am I hiring, and are there credentials I should check?
2. Can I see relevant reviews or examples of previous work?
3. What exactly is included in the price?
4. What is the total price, deposit and payment schedule?
5. When will the work start, and how long should it take?

The goal isn't to interrogate a service provider.

It is to make sure both sides understand the job before money changes hands or work begins.

How Know a Pro fits in

Know a Pro profiles give customers a place to review information a Pro has chosen to provide about their services.

South African Pros complete identity verification before their profile goes live, and completed profiles can display the ID Verified badge.

Depending on the profile, you may also find service information, photographs, reviews and contact details.

That information can help you prepare your questions.

It doesn't replace the checks appropriate to the particular service.

This article provides general consumer information and was reviewed in September 2026. The questions and checks appropriate to a service depend on the type, value and sensitivity of the work and any regulatory requirements that apply.