How to choose and vet a local tradesperson

A dripping tap, a socket that stopped working, a door that no longer closes. Small jobs like these are easy to put off because finding someone reliable feels like more work than the repair itself. The steps below will not guarantee a perfect result, but they filter out most of the problems people run into.

Start with a clear description of the job

Before you contact anyone, write down what is wrong and what you want done. Take two or three photos, note the brand or model if there is one, and measure anything that might matter (the width of a door, the length of a pipe run). A tradesperson who can see the problem gives you a more accurate answer, and you can send the same description to several people and compare their replies fairly.

Search close to home

A provider who works near you spends less time travelling and is more likely to come back if something needs a second look. On Bouncing Bison you can pick your city in the search filters, or use your location and set a distance, then narrow down by category, for example plumbing, electrical work or handyman services. The map view shows the same listings by area, which is useful if you live on the edge of a city.

If the job is at your home, tick "Home service / delivery only" so you only see providers who come to you.

Read reviews the right way

The average star rating is only a starting point. Open the listing and read the reviews themselves:

• Look for reviews that describe a job similar to yours. Five stars for hanging shelves says little about rewiring a kitchen.
• Read the lower ratings. One unhappy customer is normal. The same complaint from several people (missed appointments, a final bill far above the quote) is a pattern.
• Check how the provider answers criticism. A calm, specific reply that explains what happened is a good sign. No reply at all, or an angry one, tells you something too.
• Look at photos customers attached to their reviews. They show real finished work, not just the provider's best shots.

On Bouncing Bison, only customers whose booking was marked completed can leave a review for that booking, so each review is tied to an actual job booked through the site.

Check who you are dealing with

For anything beyond a small fix, it is worth knowing whether the person works as a registered business. A registered business can give you an invoice, which matters if you need proof of the work for a landlord, an insurer or your own records. In the search filters you can turn on "Verified businesses (can invoice)", which limits results to providers registered as a company with a tax ID in a valid format.

Some providers also carry a "Verified provider" badge, which our team grants after reviewing a provider's request. Neither badge replaces your own judgement, but both help when you are choosing between several similar listings.

For electrical and gas work in particular, ask whether the person is qualified for that type of job. The rules differ by country, so ask them directly what they are allowed to do and whether they can document it.

Ask the same questions to everyone

Send your job description to two or three providers and ask each of them the same things:

1. Can you do this job, and have you done similar ones recently?
2. How do you charge: a fixed price, by the hour, or a call-out fee plus parts?
3. Are materials included, or do I buy them?
4. When could you come, and how long do you expect it to take?
5. What happens if you find a bigger problem once you start?
6. Do you give any guarantee on the work?

The answers are useful, and so is the way people answer. Someone who replies quickly and specifically before you have paid anything will usually communicate the same way during the job.

Agree on the details in writing

Once you choose someone, confirm the price, the scope and the date in writing. When you book through Bouncing Bison, every booking has its own chat, so the agreement sits next to the booking and both of you can scroll back to it later. A short message is enough: "You will replace the kitchen mixer tap on Thursday morning, I supply the tap, labour is the price we agreed, old tap taken away."

If the price changes during the job, ask for the new figure and the reason before the extra work starts, and confirm it in the same chat.

Warning signs

• Pressure to decide immediately, or a discount that is only valid "today".
• A request for full payment in cash before any work has started.
• No clear answer on what the price includes.
• Reluctance to put anything in writing.

If a listing looks misleading or like a scam, use the "Report this listing" link on the listing page and our team will look at it.

After the job

Check the work before the provider leaves: run the tap, test the socket, open and close the door. Then leave an honest review. It takes two minutes and it is the main thing that helps the next person choose well.