Whether you’re planning a loft conversion, or looking for a walker for your dogs at the weekend – hiring a someone to work for you is a big deal. You need to be confident you can pick the best pro for the job, and if you’ve never done it before it can be hard to know where to begin.
Luckily, with Bark you can use the same simple steps to find great local pros for just about anything. Here’s our foolproof guide to hiring great local professionals for whatever you need.
Check out each pro’s Bark profile
Once we’ve tracked down a shortlist of local pros who are eager to help you, the next step is to pick your favourite. To make this process quick and easy, we ask all of our pros to set up their own Bark profile with everything you need to decide if you want to hire them.
Take a look at each’s pros profile page to discover more about them, taking care to consider questions like: Have they done the sort of work you’re asking for before? Do they have the best portfolio of previous work? And do they have the best references?
Most importantly, pay close attention to the reviews each pro has received from other Bark customers, as these give the best indication as to the quality of their work. These reviews will be highlighted with a green “verified” badge.
Agree the price in advance
We understand that budget will often be a key factor when it comes to deciding which of our pros you want to hire. That’s why we make sure each of them can send you a rough estimate when they introduce themselves to you in the Bark Messenger.
In the majority of categories, our budget estimator tool will then show you how that price compares with what other Bark users have been quoted for similar services in the past.
But whether you’re looking for someone to mow your lawn, to plan your wedding or anything else – the most important thing is to agree the price you’ll pay in advance. So when you find someone you want to hire, always be sure to ask for an exact quote before they start work.
Consider staged payments
For jobs where materials are needed, it’s reasonable for your pro to expect part-payment before completion to cover the costs. But note that this is not the same as asking for money upfront, which you should always avoid.
We recommend offering to provide payment in instalments as different project milestones are reached. This gives your pro an added incentive to get the work done quickly, and helps ensure you’re not out of pocket if something happens that means they’re not able to complete the job.
For example, if you were having an extension built onto your house you might agree to pay for the materials when the work begins, then pay the rest upon completion.
Confirm the details in writing
The last step before the work begins is to agree the key details of the job you want doing in writing. This is especially important for larger projects, especially when they involve construction work.
Getting a written quote will be a big help in the unlikely event that you have to deal with some kind of dispute further down the line. Make sure your quote spells out exactly what work will be done, when it should be completed by and who will supply the necessary materials.
Review your pro to help other Bark users
Once you’ve hammered out the details, you’re ready to hire your pro! But before you wrap things up, there is one more thing we ask you to do.
You see, we’re proud of the community we’re creating here at Bark. People using our service can draw on the experiences of hundreds of thousands of other users to find the right pro for them – and that wouldn’t be possible without ordinary people like yourself.
So after the work has been done, we strongly encourage you to leave a review about your experiences on your chosen pro’s Bark profile. That way, we can continue improving Bark so it’s even easier to find great local pros the next time you use our service.
I need a dj player for 5 hours 8 to 1pm on 29 December with there own equipments we are not looking for very big sound system it is only girls night need some loud music that to Bollywood.
Location is Luton
Hi Mary,
We received your Bark and are searching for DJs in Luton right now to help with your request.
You should start hearing back from suitable pros shortly – so keep an eye on your inbox for our next email.
Best wishes,
The Bark Team
Hi
We need catering for 35-40 people. We are on a budget but want it to be nice tasty food so will budge on cost. We liked the ides of burger van slso. This event is happening on 4th March 6pm south leeds golf club, beeston. Ls11,5tu
Hi Kirby,
Thanks for getting in touch.
If you visit the following link and place a Bark, we’ll find you a great local pro in no time: https://www.bark.com/caterers/?popup=true
Best wishes,
The Bark Team
We are now looking for an independent developer –OR- small closely knit team of developers (maybe 2 or 3) to take what we have envisioned and designed thus far and complete writing of the software overlay, programs and interactive interface for website, social media applications –AND- most importantly our Prototype Android Device, helping us to position this new innovative platform for a minimum $500 million dollar Private Equity Acquisition Purchase. . . Where everyone in our small company group, including the candidate(s) chosen from this ad will all share handsomely in the financial bonanza!
Looking for someone to help me with a boisterous 16week old, old English bulldog.
He has taken to being rough with our pug and I want to get this under control before there is a risk of him doing the same with the kids.
I have just used Central Roofing to have my guttering cleaned. They did a first class job. They turned up on time and were very thorough and professional. I was happy with the price. The person doing the work was courteous and friendly. I would certainly consider using them again.
I need an estimate for cleaning window at my house
I am looking for a family physician that accepts Tricare (military) insurance. I am located in the Sugar Land area. 77498
I am currently doing survey about types of concrete can any persons with knowledge about concrete let me know thank you.
I want to remove my search for cleaner please
Hello. I am looking to have my back lawn strimmed today. Long with dandylions. Small area.
My dog is going crazy he barks like he’s is going to attack everything and everyone and I live with my mother and she is getting scared we live in a small town in sw MN with no way of getting anywhere so need some in home help if u can find anyone thanks
Hi, just want to thank ONE2LOFTS for a great job, they were very efficient and considerate
My garden fence had blown down so I looked on Bark, andfound Harveys Solutions and Shaun came out and gave me a quote that I was satisfied with, he come back 3 days later and fixed my fence, he was very polite and done a fantastic job, I would recommend to anyone
Hi, I just want to say thank you to Bark for connecting me with Allsop and sons landscaping. Daniel did an amazing job in my garden and I highly recommend him.Thanks again
Good evening
Woodbridge Drives and Patios have completed the project. They responded swiftly (15 mins after posting), quoted within 24hrs, turned up, did the job in 2 days to the quote plus 1 agreed extra. The team were cheerful, engaged, communicative.Highly recommend. Diana
I used Bark for the first time for my Dad. He needed his gutters clearing and replacing. George’s Gutters contacted me immediately and came that day. We agreed a price to clean the roof off moss and replace the gutters . I cannot praise him highly enough, extremely friendly and efficient service and Dad is very pleased. Highly recommend this business.
We used Gutter Guys to clean and repair guttering. Lovely guys good price . More than Happy.
I have used Caseys & Son for my leaking roof.
Tom responded quickly to my enquires, regarding your roof
I was also given a 10 year guarantee,
Tom made you feel confident if I did have a another leak, he will return, at no extra cost
I have used Caseys & Son for my leaking roof.
Tom responded quickly to my enquires, regarding my roof
I was also given a 10 year guarantee,
Tom made you feel confident if I did have a another leak, he will return, at no extra cost
I am please with Tom’s work