Finding a reliable service provider is a challenge these days, partly because of the high demand in the market. Some companies take advantage of this by investing a lot of money to appear at the top of search results. Don't let this fool you: a high position in search engines is no guarantee of professionalism, reliability or work well done.

Always check a company's reputation, certifications and credentials before placing an order.

Don't get ripped off!

What you can do yourself;

• Look for a local business in the area.
• Consult with friends or acquaintances for experience with service providers.
• Be alert with 085 phone numbers and use of unrealistic stock photos.
• Look for a company with a clear visiting or business address.
• Check the Chamber of Commerce number at www.kvk.nl/zoeken
• Check if the company is affiliated with an industry organization.
• Check labels, certifications and whether the mechanic is allowed to perform the work.
• Skip paid ads, this is often clearly indicated in the search results.
• Skip comparison sites. Service providers pay a lot of money for leads where they often have to be the cheapest to actually get the job done. Lead companies send this lead to multiple service providers so there is no guarantee that you will get a job done. This not only puts a fair price but also quality of materials and service under pressure. Lead companies such as Werkspot and Trustoo earn fat from this.
• Read online references on channels other than the service provider's own website. Consider Google reviews, Trustpilot, Klantenvertellen, etc. and preferably sort these reviews by "most recent."