South Africans looking for services often struggle to differentiate quality providers from scammers.
On top of that, the growing number of fake online reviews further muddies the waters, making it even harder to find trustworthy businesses.
There are reliable ways to recognize scammers and make sure they don’t walk away with your money.
The responsibility to safeguard against service frauds largely rests on the consumers' shoulders.
Remember the golden rule: If something feels off or sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Trust is good, but verification is better.
How to search for reliable Pros and make sure the job is completed?
By staying alert and following these six steps, you can increase the chances of successful completion of your project.
1. Define your project and understand the costs involved
When hiring a tradesman or other service, first define your needs.
Identify the specific tasks involved and list them down. Estimate the associated costs, incorporating both labour and material costs. You can help yourself with our cost guides.
At the same time, understand your budget and other limitations.
2. Gather recommendations from people you trust
People are increasingly searching for services online.
But one of the best ways to find a good contractor is still through recommendations of other people.
Ask friends, neighbours or colleagues who have had similar work done and were satisfied with the service.
Tradesmen you've hired before and found trustworthy can often recommend their skilled colleagues.
3. Get quotes from at least three professionals
Clearly communicate your expectations and requirements regarding the service.
Get the quotes in writing.
You have to know exactly how much you'll be paying and what you will get for that money.
The next step is comparing quotes. Price shouldn't be the only determining factor. Quality has its value.
4. Check the credentials, qualifications and reviews
Before hiring, ask the Pro about qualifications, past projects, and references.
It is crucial that they operate a registered, legal business. You can check the existence and details of the company on Ciproza website.
Visit a company's website and social media profiles. If they look outdated with low quality content, be careful.
Not all reviews can be trusted.
Look for online reviews and ratings of the business. But beware, even some major online platforms allow anyone to post, opening the door for fake reviews.
5. Take your time with the decision
If a service provider pressures you into making a quick decision and payment, it can be a sign of a potential fraud.
A scammer is often eager to close the deal quickly.
Don’t allow yourself to be rushed into a decision.
Stop and talk to someone you trust. With the help of a relative or a friend, you might realise that you’re being conned.
While references, ratings, and quotes are important, your gut feeling is also important. If you feel comfortable with someone, and they inspire trust, it's a good sign that you've found the right contractor.
A well-detailed, written agreement like SLA remains one of the strongest safety nets for consumers.
6. Never pay large sums of money upfront
We cannot stress this enough. Never pay the full amount upfront.
Some tradesmen may require a deposit for materials, but the amount should not exceed 30% of the total cost.
But even that can be risky. If you are not absolutely sure about the company and comfortable about handing over the money, find some other solution.
By paying upfront you lose control if the job isn't done right or on time.
Tie payments to the completion of specific milestones in the project.
Insist on receipts and payment methods, other than cash, so that all transactions are recorded.
Make the final payment only when the work is fully completed, and you're satisfied with the service.
Procompare is the leading South African platform for connecting people with top local service providers.
