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Home service hiring guides

Practical, local advice for posting better jobs, comparing providers, and hiring with more confidence across I Got A Guy service categories and areas.

How to compare handyman quotesRead article What to ask before hiring an electricianRead article Emergency plumber checklistRead article How to spot a reliable garden serviceRead article What photos to upload when posting a jobRead article

Guide 1

How to compare handyman quotes

A cheaper quote is not always the better quote. Compare scope, timing, materials, access, and after-work support before choosing a handyman.

Start with the same scope for every quote

Ask each provider to price the same work list. Include measurements, what must be removed, what must be supplied, and whether patching, painting, cleanup, or disposal is included. If one quote includes materials and another only includes labour, the totals are not directly comparable.

Check what happens if the job changes

Small repair jobs often reveal extra work once a fitting, board, tile, or fixture is opened. Ask how variations are approved and priced before the handyman starts. A reliable provider will explain labour rates, call-out fees, material markups, and when a revised quote is needed.

Compare confidence, not only price

Look for clear availability, recent similar work, a written quote, and a realistic timeline. A strong quote should make it easy to understand exactly what you are paying for and what the provider needs from you on the day.

Quick checklist

Does the quote separate labour, materials, call-out fees, and VAT where relevant?
Does it name the rooms, fixtures, measurements, or repair points included?
Does it explain what is excluded, such as painting, waterproofing, or rubble removal?
Does the provider give a realistic start date and expected duration?
Is there a workmanship warranty or follow-up window?

Guide 2

What to ask before hiring an electrician

Electrical work affects safety, insurance, and compliance. Ask the right questions before anyone opens a DB board, moves a plug, or installs new lighting.

Ask about qualifications and the exact work type

Be specific about whether you need fault finding, new plug points, lighting, inverter wiring, a DB board repair, or a compliance certificate. Different jobs may need different experience, tools, and documentation.

Clarify safety and compliance before price

Ask whether the provider can issue or work toward the certificate you need, whether power must be isolated, and whether any walls, ceilings, or paving need to be opened. A quick low quote is risky if it ignores compliance or reinstatement work.

Send clear photos before the visit

Photos of the DB board, affected plug points, switches, lights, tripped breakers, and the room layout help the electrician prepare. They also reduce back-and-forth when you request quotes from several providers.

Quick checklist

Are you qualified and experienced for this specific electrical job?
Will this work require a certificate of compliance or inspection?
What must be switched off, opened, moved, or made accessible?
Are parts, cabling, conduit, trunking, and cleanup included in the quote?
What warranty applies to labour and supplied parts?

Guide 3

Emergency plumber checklist

When water is leaking, overflowing, or blocked, the first few minutes matter. Use this checklist to reduce damage and give plumbers the detail they need.

Stop the damage before comparing quotes

If it is safe, close the nearest isolation valve or the main water supply, move valuables away from the leak, and switch off nearby electrical points. Take photos before cleanup so the plumber can see the original problem.

Describe the symptom, location, and urgency

A strong emergency request says what is happening, where it is happening, when it started, and whether water is still running. Include whether the issue is a burst pipe, blocked drain, geyser leak, toilet overflow, low pressure, or outdoor water line.

Confirm call-out and after-hours fees upfront

Emergency plumbing often includes a call-out fee, after-hours rate, or minimum labour charge. Ask what the first visit includes and how parts or additional repairs will be approved.

Quick checklist

Close the nearest valve or main water supply if you can access it safely.
Photograph the leak source, affected ceiling or wall, floor water, and nearby fittings.
Note whether the problem affects one fixture, one room, or the whole property.
Ask for the call-out fee, after-hours rate, and expected arrival window.
Keep the plumber updated if the leak stops, spreads, or starts affecting electricity.

Guide 4

How to spot a reliable garden service

Good garden services are consistent, prepared, and clear about what weekly, monthly, seasonal, and once-off work includes.

Match the service to the garden

A townhouse lawn, estate garden, irrigation-heavy property, and overgrown stand need different skills and equipment. Ask whether the provider handles mowing, edging, pruning, beds, waste removal, irrigation checks, seasonal feeding, and once-off cleanups.

Look for routine and communication

Reliable teams explain how many workers arrive, how often they come, what happens on rainy days, and how they report issues like irrigation leaks, pests, or dead patches. Consistent communication is often the difference between basic mowing and real garden care.

Clarify tools, waste, and access

Confirm whether the team brings tools, bags and removes garden refuse, or uses your equipment. For estates and complexes, share access rules, parking limits, and working hours before accepting the quote.

Quick checklist

Can they describe what is included in each visit?
Do they bring the right tools for mowing, edging, pruning, and cleanup?
Is garden refuse removal included or billed separately?
Can they handle irrigation, seasonal planting, or tree work if needed?
Do they already work in your area or estate?

Guide 5

What photos to upload when posting a job

Good photos help providers quote faster, ask better questions, and arrive with the right tools or parts.

Upload one wide photo and two close-ups

Start with a wide photo that shows the room, wall, garden bed, ceiling, driveway, or fixture in context. Then add close-ups of the broken part, label, leak, crack, switch, valve, appliance model, or damaged surface.

Show measurements and access constraints

If size matters, include a tape measure, hand, tile, door frame, or known object for scale. Photograph narrow side passages, high ceilings, locked service areas, steep driveways, or anything that changes labour time.

Avoid photos that hide the actual job

Dark, blurry, zoomed-in photos slow providers down. Use daylight where possible, step back for context, and include every affected area instead of only the worst spot.

Quick checklist

Wide context photo of the affected room, wall, garden, or fixture.
Close-up of the damage, fault, label, model number, leak, crack, or part.
Photo showing access, height, parking, side gate, DB board, valve, or outdoor route.
Measurement photo where length, depth, height, or quantity affects price.
Before-cleanup photo for leaks, blockages, breakages, and emergency jobs.