Hiring a tradesperson or professional online carries risk — but most of it can be avoided. Here are the checks every client should do before the work starts.
Online hiring in Zimbabwe is growing fast. More clients are finding professionals through platforms and social media rather than word of mouth. But with that growth comes risk — and scammers know it.
Here are seven things you should do before hiring anyone online.
Never hire someone whose identity you can't confirm. On Graft, all verified grafters have had their national ID checked against a live selfie. For work outside platforms, ask to see an ID and check it matches the person in front of you.
Reviews are your window into past performance. Look for grafters with multiple reviews across different job types — not just one glowing review on a new account. Read the negative reviews too: how did they respond?
Legitimate professionals don't need full payment before starting. A small deposit for materials is reasonable; paying everything before a single nail is hammered is not. Use escrow platforms like Graft — your money is held until the work is done.
Verbal agreements create disputes. On Graft, the job description and bid message form the basis of the agreement. For larger jobs, agree on milestones: what needs to be done, by when, and for what amount.
On Graft, your full address is only revealed to the accepted grafter after the contract is created. This protects you from bad actors who collect address information from job listings.
Keep conversations on the platform — not WhatsApp or personal numbers — until after the work is done. Platform messages are recorded and can be reviewed in a dispute.
If work is substandard, don't release payment. Raise a dispute on Graft and let the team review the evidence. Escrow exists for exactly this situation.
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