Check out Angie’s List.

Angie’s List was developed and designed so that neighbors could rate local businesses, with special emphasis on those folks who do those odd jobs. It has it’s problems to be sure, but if you are like me, it is a great way to find that small business owner gem that will do the work right, for the right price.

Peace.
Rick Beagle

While I do agree about cost comparison shopping, when it comes to repair services in most cases if I have to call a repair person it’s because I can’t do it myself or I’m on a tight time frame and don’t have the time do gather all the tools, materials etc I would need to do it myself.

To the first point, since I may not be skilled to do the repair how can I totally describe the problem to the repairman? IOW, I will give my best description but when he comes (or I take it there) and he looks at it there’s a chance the problem may be much bigger than I thought. Do I take it in stride? Or do I accuse the guy to bait&switch, padding his bill, etc?

As to the second, if the repair guy says the best tool or material for the job is XYZ how can I reasonably know if he is right or wrong?

I’m not saying take everyone at their word. Heaven knows there are many dishonest repair services. But you also have to look at it with an open POV in that there may be problems you as a non-pro can’t see or understand that the pro does and that may raise the cost of the job.