Quick summary
Seven questions that help you understand pricing, scope, timeline, and what happens if the work changes midway. Before you hire any professional.
Why most hiring mistakes are avoidable
Most service hiring disputes in India come down to the same root causes: unclear scope, verbal agreements that both parties remember differently, and no agreement on what happens when something changes. These 7 questions address all of them before you sign anything.
The 7 questions
- 1. What exactly is included in this quote. And what isn't? Every professional has a mental model of your project. Make sure it matches yours. Ask them to list what's in scope and, just as importantly, what's out of scope. Surprises almost always come from what wasn't discussed.
- 2. What does a typical project like mine look like when it's complete? Ask for 2–3 examples. Not their best work. Similar work. A 2BHK interior in your budget range. A website for a business like yours. A legal matter of similar complexity.
- 3. What is the timeline, broken into milestones? 'About 6 weeks' is not a timeline. Ask for specific milestones: when design is finalised, when materials are procured, when execution starts, when handover happens. Get it in writing.
- 4. What happens if the scope changes midway? Every project expands. What's the process. And what does it cost? A good professional will have a clear answer. 'We'll discuss it then' is not acceptable.
- 5. Who is doing the actual work? Some professionals outsource execution to contractors you haven't vetted. Know who will be on your site or building your product.
- 6. What are the payment terms. And what's the refund policy if we have a dispute? Standard is 30% upfront, balance on delivery. Never pay 100% before the work is done. Ask what happens if you're not satisfied with the output.
- 7. Can I speak to a recent client? References from people who hired them for a similar project in the past 6 months are the single most reliable signal of what working with this professional will actually be like.
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Post a request freeA note on written agreements
For any project above ₹20,000, get a written agreement. It doesn't need to be a formal legal contract. A detailed email or WhatsApp message that both parties confirm is enough to establish terms. Cover: scope, timeline, payment schedule, and what constitutes completion.
Professionals who resist written agreements are a red flag. It usually means they intend to renegotiate later.
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