How to hire a home service pro in the UAE: a 10-point checklist
10 checks before hiring an AC technician, plumber or pest control company: trade licence, written quotes, reviews, building permits, payment and receipts.
Hiring a home service pro safely in the UAE comes down to a few checks: a valid trade licence, 2–3 written quotes for the same job, recent reviews, a clear scope, approval before any extra work, and payment after the result has been tested, against a receipt or tax invoice with the warranty.
The same 10 checks work for AC cleaning, plumbing, pest control and electrical jobs. They take a few minutes and protect against poor work, surprise charges and the most common scams.
Before booking
- Check the trade licence. Every company offering services in the UAE needs a trade licence from the economic department of its emirate or from a free zone. In Dubai, the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) lets anyone look up a licence by company name or number, with its status, expiry date and licensed activities. The activity should match the job: AC maintenance, plumbing, electrical works. Pest control companies also need municipality approval.
- Get 2–3 quotes for the same job description. Each company should get the same details: service, number of units or rooms, brand and size where relevant, emirate and area, apartment or villa, floor, and photos. A quote far below the others deserves the question of what is not included.
- Read recent reviews. Comments about arriving on time, cleaning up and honouring the warranty say more than the star rating alone. A company with a fixed office and a long history is easier to reach if something goes wrong.
- Confirm what is included. Parts, materials, cleanup, removal of old units or debris, warranty, and whether 5% VAT is in the price. For AC cleaning: price per unit, drain flushing, outdoor unit. For pest control: number of visits.
- Get the price in writing. A WhatsApp message or email is enough if it states the scope, price, any deposit and the warranty period. It serves as proof if the price changes later.
On the day
- Arrange access and permits. Many towers and gated communities require a work permit or contractor pass from building management, allow work only at certain hours and ask for the workers' names and Emirates ID or passport copies in advance. It is worth agreeing who applies for it, so the visit is not turned away at the gate.
- Agree before extra work. If the technician finds another problem, such as low AC gas, a cracked pipe or a damaged ceiling board, the price and the reason come first. Saying no and getting a second opinion is always possible.
- Test the result before the team leaves. The AC runs for 10–15 minutes; every cleared drain gets water and the toilet is flushed. No new leaks, panels and covers back in place, the area clean.
Payment
- No full payment in advance. Paying everything upfront to a company not yet met in person is the most common way to lose money. A deposit for materials is normal for bigger jobs such as AC installation or renovation. The balance is paid after the job is done and tested, preferably by card or bank transfer, which leave a record.
- Get a receipt or tax invoice. It should show the date, the company name, the work done, the amount paid and the warranty period. Companies registered for VAT (registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 in annual taxable supplies) issue a tax invoice with their TRN.
Red flags
- The price rises after the unit is opened, with no clear reason or photos.
- Pressure to pay in full by bank transfer before anyone visits.
- Every visit ends with "the gas is low", but no one checks for a leak.
- "This price is only for today."
- No company name, no trade licence, and a phone number that changes.
- A pest control offer with unmarked tablets or "fumigation" of a whole apartment.
- Refusal to put the scope or warranty in writing.
One red flag is not always a scam. A direct question and a calm, clear answer usually tell the difference.
What a fair price looks like
| Service | Typical price in the UAE |
|---|---|
| AC cleaning | AED 150–250 per unit |
| AC duct cleaning | AED 350–600 per unit |
| AC repair visit | AED 50–250, parts extra |
| Plumber or electrician | about AED 109–129 per hour |
| Cockroach control, apartment | AED 150–320 |
Prices vary by emirate, access and the size of the job, so quotes are best compared for the same scope. Details are in the guides on AC cleaning cost, cockroach control and blocked drains. The job price calculator gives a quick estimate for other jobs.
If something goes wrong
- Contact the company within the warranty period, with photos or a short video of the problem.
- Refer to the written scope and the receipt, and ask for a date for the return visit.
- Keep the conversation in writing and polite. Most issues are fixed on a free return visit.
- If the company stops answering, the consumer protection department of the emirate handles complaints under UAE consumer protection law, and an honest, factual review warns other customers.
After a good job, a review helps reliable businesses too. To save time on step 2, the job can be described once on khalasna to get up to 5 free quotes from local businesses that cover the area; safety tips and all services are one click away.
Frequently asked questions
How can a trade licence be checked in the UAE?
In Dubai, the Department of Economy and Tourism has an online licence lookup by company name or licence number that shows the status, expiry date and activities. Other emirates and free zones have their own registers; the licence number is usually printed on the company's invoices.
How much deposit is normal for a home service job?
Small jobs such as AC cleaning or drain unblocking usually need no deposit. For bigger jobs with materials, such as AC installation or renovation, a deposit for materials is common; the balance is paid after the work is done and tested.
Should VAT be added to the quoted price?
It depends on whether the company is VAT-registered and whether the quote already includes it. VAT in the UAE is 5%. Asking for a price including VAT avoids a surprise on the invoice.
What should a warranty cover?
A labour warranty covers the work itself, so the company returns for free if the same problem comes back within the period. Parts may have a separate manufacturer's warranty, so both are best confirmed in writing.
Is it necessary to be at home during the job?
It is best, or a trusted adult should be there, to let the team in, approve any extra work and test the result before payment. Building security often requires a resident to confirm the visit.