Everyday decision 08 of 10
Hire with confidence: what's included, what's due up front, and who you're hiring
Most contractors are honest, and most bad jobs still start with the same missing pieces. This page covers what to get before you pay anything.
Example 01
A contractor wants a big deposit before starting?
Get the work, the price and the payment schedule in writing, and check the license, before you pay a deposit. The FTC advises against paying the full amount up front.
Right now
Tap each step as you do it.
All three done.
If you already paid
- Get it in writing now: what you paid, what it covers, and when work starts.
- If you signed the contract in your home, you may have three business days to cancel. The contract should include a written statement of that right.
- If they disappear or won't start, contact your bank or payment app about the payment, and report it to your state or local consumer protection office and at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The pattern
Deposits are normal. The combination is what's worth noticing: a deposit that's most of the price, a payment method that's hard to reverse, and nothing written down about what it buys. In the FTC's words, "Scammers ask you to pay for everything up front or only accept cash."
What Agency Check shows
Say "Check this quote first before I book the plumber."
Hire RapidFlow Plumbing for $1,850.
- A payment that's hard to reverse (bank transfer app)
- $1,200 of the $1,850 total is due before any work starts
- What's included, and what isn't, in writing
- Whether they're licensed and insured
Agency Check reviewed what you shared. You decide what happens next.
What this check looks at
- A deposit that's a large share of the total, due before work starts
- Whether what's included (and what isn't) is in writing
- Whether licensing and insurance are confirmed
- Payment by a method that's hard to reverse
When it says Pause and verify: when the job carries pressure red lines, such as a fee to "unlock" the work, or three or more pressure cues on a large payment. A normal quote with gaps gets Ready to review, with the gaps listed.
Coming soon to Muse and any agent chat
How to use it
Before your agent acts, say it out loud or type it. Agency Check reviews what you shared and hands back one Decision Card.
See how Agency Check works"Check this quote first before I book the plumber."
Questions
How much of a deposit is normal for a contractor?
It varies, and some states set a limit. The FTC advises against paying the full amount up front. Your state or local consumer agency can tell you the limit where you live.
What should a written estimate include?
The work to be done, the materials, the start and completion dates, and the price. The contract should also include the contractor's name, address, phone number and license number.
Why does Agency Check point out payment apps?
Payments through payment apps and bank transfers can be hard to reverse once they're sent. A credit card gives you a way to dispute the charge.
Other everyday decisions
Sources
Frameworks behind this check
Research and guidance
- FTC Consumer Advice, "How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam"consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-home-improvement-scam
Last reviewed September 27, 2026. Agency Check is an independent tool from Cyber Strategy Institute, built on its open frameworks and coming soon to Muse and any agent chat. Muse is a trademark of Meta Platforms, Inc.All ten checks on the Agency Check hub