Safety guidelines
Every pro on LocalHandyman.work is identity-verified before going live. These guidelines help you use the platform confidently — from first browse to final sign-off.
Before you hire
Check the badges, and check them yourself too. A badge on a pro's profile means someone on our team reviewed a specific document on the date shown. We do not run identity verification, and no badge is granted automatically. Before you let anyone into your home, confirm the person who arrives is who the profile says, and ask for a current certificate of insurance.
Beyond identity, pros can earn additional badge chips displayed on their profile:
Our team recorded the carrier and policy details the pro gave us, on the date shown. We are not the policyholder and are not told if a policy lapses, so ask them to confirm it's current on arrival — and for larger jobs, to name you as an additional insured.
We checked their license number against the issuing board's public lookup on the date shown. We don't monitor it after that, so it reflects that date rather than today. For regulated work (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), always prefer a licensed pro and confirm the license number yourself at the start of the job.
Our team reviewed background-check documentation the pro supplied, on the date shown. This isn't a screen we run ourselves, and it isn't an ongoing monitor. The absence of this badge means we have reviewed nothing — not that a pro has a record. For sensitive situations (elderly household members, unsupervised access), decide for yourself who you let into your home; a badge is not a substitute for that judgement.
Meeting your pro
When your pro arrives, confirm their name matches the booking confirmation you received. Pros arrive knowing the scope you described — if there's any discrepancy, resolve it before work begins, not after. All pre-job communication should happen in the platform's message thread so there's a clear record.
For larger jobs, ask the pro to document the scope in writing via the message thread before starting. A shared understanding of what's included — and what's not — prevents almost every dispute we see.
Payments
Keep your payment on the agreed quote — the price shown in the booking confirmation. Paying within the platform (via the invoice link your pro sends) keeps a clean record of the transaction and makes any dispute resolution faster.
Never wire money or use gift cards in advance of work starting. Legitimate pros collect payment on completion (or a reasonable deposit for materials on large jobs). Any pro asking for full payment wired upfront is a red flag — report them immediately.
Red flags
Most pros on the platform are professionals who take their reputation seriously. But watch for these warning signs:
- ✕ Pressure to pay cash upfront in full. Legitimate pros don't require full pre-payment before any work begins — a materials deposit on a large job is reasonable, but anything more is a warning sign.
- ✕ No written scope before starting. If a pro won't confirm what's included in writing (the platform message thread counts), the risk of a scope dispute is high.
- ✕ Refuses to use platform messaging. All job communication should happen in the thread. A pro who insists on only phone or text is harder to hold accountable and removes your dispute protection.
- ✕ Quote dramatically below every other pro. An unusually low bid often signals hidden charges added mid-job, unlicensed work, or materials corners being cut. Price shop, but be skeptical of outliers.
- ✕ Asks to move the job off-platform. Taking the booking off-platform removes all buyer protections, dispute options, and review accountability. Never agree to this.
How to report a pro
If you encounter unsafe behavior, fraud, or a clear policy violation, report it immediately. Use the contact page to file a formal report — include the pro's name and booking ID if you have it. You can also email us directly at support@localhandyman.work.
Our trust team reviews every report. Depending on severity, actions range from a badge review to immediate listing suspension pending investigation. Your report is confidential.
For pros: jobsite safety
Wear the right PPE for every job — eye protection, gloves, and hearing protection are non-negotiable for the trades they apply to. Confirm scope with the homeowner before starting and document conditions with photos at arrival, especially for repair work where pre-existing damage could become a dispute.
Keep all client communication in the platform message thread. It protects you as much as the homeowner. If a homeowner asks you to take payment off-platform or work outside the confirmed booking, decline and report via your dashboard — we have your back.