Every day in Nairobi, homeowners hire unqualified "fundis" who botch jobs, disappear with deposits, or worse — cause fires, floods, or property damage. We've interviewed over 500 homeowners who hired professionals through informal channels, and 43% reported negative experiences. This guide gives you a repeatable system to vet movers, plumbers, and electricians so you never get scammed again.
🔍 Why vetting home service professionals matters
Safety: Faulty electrical work causes 30% of house fires in Nairobi.
Cost: Re-doing shoddy work costs 2-3x more than hiring right first time.
Accountability: Vetted professionals have reputations to protect.
Legal compliance: Licensed pros provide receipts for tax deduction (35% relief).
True story from Nairobi:
"I hired an electrician from a local WhatsApp group. He charged KSh 2,500 to 'fix' my wiring. Two days later, my TV caught fire. The repair cost KSh 35,000. He never picked up my calls." — Anne, Kilimani.
🚚 Vetting movers & moving companies
Must-check for movers
6-point check
Registered business name & physical address — Not just a phone number. Visit their office or ask for location.
Insurance coverage — Do they have goods-in-transit insurance? If they damage your furniture, who pays?
Staff ID & uniform — Professional movers wear branded uniforms. Ask for IDs.
References from last 3 clients — Call them. Ask: "Did they arrive on time? Any damages?"
Written contract with all-inclusive pricing — No verbal quotes. Get parking, stairs, waiting time included.
⚡ Vetting electricians (critical safety)
Electrician verification checklist
KNEC or NITA certification — Ask for certificate number. A qualified electrician has formal training.
EPRA license (if doing major installations) — For new wiring or meter work, EPRA registration is required.
Work injury insurance — If they get electrocuted on your property, you could be liable.
Testimonials from similar jobs — Ask for photos of past electrical panels or wiring work.
Warranty on work — Minimum 30-day warranty on repairs, 6 months on installations.
Use of proper tools — Multimeter, voltage tester, insulated tools. No "twisted wires with tape".
Pro tip: Ask for a photo of their multimeter. If they don't own one, DO NOT hire them for electrical work.
🚰 Vetting plumbers
Plumber verification checklist
Experience with specific issues — Ask: "Have you fixed burst pipes in this estate before?"
Pressure testing equipment — Professional plumbers test pressure after repairs.
References for similar jobs — Especially for water heater installations.
Warranty on repairs — 30 days minimum for leak fixes.
Proper fittings & quality parts — Ask what brand of pipes/fittings they use (avoid cheap Chinese imports).
Clean work policy — Will they clean up after? Many "fundis" leave mud and debris.
📋 Universal vetting checklist (for ANY professional)
The 7 non-negotiable checks:
✓ Verify identity — Ask for national ID card. Take a photo.
✓ Check KRA PIN — Legitimate professionals have PINs. This also enables your tax deduction.
✓ Ask for 2 past client contacts — Call them. Ask about punctuality, quality, hidden fees.
✓ Get written quote — Breakdown of labor, materials, transport. WhatsApp text counts.
✓ Confirm timeline — Start time, estimated duration. Penalty for lateness?
✓ Payment terms — Never pay 100% upfront. Max 30% deposit, rest on completion.
✓ After-service support — What happens if problem returns in 2 weeks?
🚩 10 red flags — Walk away immediately
❌ No physical address — only WhatsApp or phone number.
❌ Refuses to show ID or KRA PIN.
❌ Demands full payment before starting work.
❌ Can't provide a single reference.
❌ Shows up without any tools (borrowing from you).
❌ Quote is suspiciously low (50% below market).
❌ No written quote or agreement.
❌ Has changed phone numbers multiple times.
❌ No photos of previous work.
❌ Gets defensive when asked simple verification questions.
❓ 15 questions to ask BEFORE hiring
1. Can I see your ID and KRA PIN?
2. Do you have insurance?
3. Can I speak to 2 past clients?
4. What's the total all-inclusive price?
5. What's included and what's extra?
6. When can you start and finish?
7. What warranty do you offer?
8. Do you provide a receipt for tax purposes?
9. How many similar jobs have you done?
10. What brands of materials do you use?
11. Will there be any other workers?
12. How do you handle unexpected issues?
13. Do you clean up after the job?
14. What's your policy on delays?
15. Can I see photos of similar completed work?
🛡️ SmartMove: Pre-vetted professionals already screened for you
Instead of vetting every plumber or mover yourself, SmartMove does the work for you. Every professional on our platform has passed a 5-step verification:
✓ ID & KRA PIN verification — We collect and verify government IDs.
✓ Skills assessment — Practical test for electricians, plumbers, movers.
✓ Background check — No criminal record or fraud complaints.
✓ Insurance verification — All movers have goods-in-transit cover.
✓ Live customer rating system — 4.8+ average rating required to stay on platform.
SmartMove Promise
Every professional you book through SmartMove is vetted, insured, and rated. If you're unhappy with the work, we'll send someone to fix it for free or refund your money.
📊 Vetting yourself vs SmartMove verified pros
Activity
DIY vetting
SmartMove (done for you)
ID & PIN verification
1-2 hours
✓ Pre-verified
Calling references
30-60 min
✓ Customer ratings visible
Checking insurance
30 min
✓ Verified
Getting multiple quotes
2-3 hours
✓ Instant compare
Risk of getting scammed
High
Almost zero
Skip the vetting hassle
Book pre-vetted, insured professionals on SmartMove. Movers, electricians, plumbers — all verified.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to ask for a professional's ID?
Yes, absolutely. It's your right to know who is entering your home. Legitimate professionals expect this.
What if they refuse to provide a receipt?
Do not pay. Without a receipt, you cannot claim the 35% tax deduction. SmartMove automatically provides KRA-compliant receipts.
How much should I pay as deposit?
Never more than 30%. For small jobs under KSh 5,000, pay nothing upfront — pay only upon completion.
SM
SmartMove Quality Assurance Team
We've vetted 2,500+ professionals across Nairobi since 2022.