Stop that part of the job, photograph the damage, tell the person who did it in writing, and give them a fair chance to make it right before you go to insurance or small claims. Photos taken on the day make that first conversation much easier.
A $50 job that turned into a lawsuit
In 2018 a homeowner in Boulder, Colorado, told Denver7 he had booked a window cleaner through Thumbtack for $50 to clean his windows and a shower door. He says that the next morning the sun came through and he saw deep scratches across the glass, and that the owner came back and then sent another bill instead of an apology.
He told the station he later learned the business was not licensed and the owner had a criminal history, that Thumbtack closed the account after his review, and that the owner then sued him over the review. He puts the damage at $27,000. This is his account; we have not seen the other side's.
Two things in that story are worth copying: he had the scratches on camera, and his review said what happened without attacking the man. Two things are worth avoiding: nobody asked about insurance before the job, and nobody took a picture of the glass before it started.
Before anyone starts work
- Take photos of the area. Thirty seconds with your phone: the floor, the walls, the thing being fixed and whatever sits next to it. It can settle an argument before it starts.
- Ask whether they carry liability insurance. It is the kind that pays when a worker breaks something in your home. The FTC says to ask the contractor for proof of insurance. Plenty of good locals doing small jobs carry none. That is not a reason to say no, but it tells you who pays if something breaks.
- Move what you can. Rugs, furniture, anything fragile near the work. It is easier than any claim.
When something gets damaged
- Ask them to stop that part of the job. Calmly. You want the damage to stay the size it is.
- Photograph and film it. Close up and from across the room, in good light. Your phone keeps the date.
- Write down what happened while it is fresh: the time, what they were doing, what they said.
- Tell them in writing. A text is enough: "The tile by the tub cracked while the vanity was going in this afternoon. Photos attached. How would you like to handle it?" That gives them room to answer, and gives you a record.
- Get a price for the repair from someone else, so the conversation has a number in it.
- Give them a fair chance to fix it or pay. Put a date on it. Many people who do this for a living would rather fix a cracked tile than lose their name in town.
Who pays
| Where the money comes from | When it applies |
|---|---|
| The local's liability insurance | If they carry it. They file the claim; you send your photos and the repair price. |
| The local, directly | If they have no insurance, or the damage is smaller than their deductible. Get the agreement in writing. |
| Your homeowners insurance | It may cover the damage, minus your deductible. Call and ask before you file, because a claim can affect your premium. |
| Small claims court | If they will not pay. Every state has its own dollar limit and filing fee; your county court's website lists both. You do not need a lawyer. |
If you write a review
Say what happened, with dates, and what they said when you raised it. Leave out guesses about who the person is or why they did it. Facts you can show with photos are fair to the next homeowner. The Boulder homeowner was sued over his review, which is why sticking to what you can show matters.
Do not withhold payment for the work that was done well as a way to cover damage, unless you have agreed that in writing. Keep the two separate: pay for the job, and settle the damage on its own.
What GigNGo does and does not do
Plainly: GigNGo does not insure jobs, does not cover damage, and does not run background checks. If a local breaks something, it is between you and them, and the steps above are how you settle it.
When a local has filmed their work, you can watch it before they come over, and see who nearby has vouched for them, if anyone has. Ask them about insurance the same way you would ask anyone else. Keep your messages in the app, so the record of what you agreed stays in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays if a handyman damages my house?
The person who did the work, first. Many carry liability insurance that covers damage they cause, so ask them to put it through. If they have none, they owe it themselves. Your own homeowners policy may also cover it, minus your deductible. If nobody pays, small claims court is built for amounts like this.
What should I do right after a contractor damages something?
Ask them to stop that part of the job, take photos and video with the date on them, write down what happened while it is fresh, and tell them in writing. A text is fine. Give them a fair chance to fix it or pay before you go further.
How do I know if a handyman has insurance?
Ask before the job starts, and ask for proof. The FTC's advice is to ask the contractor for proof of insurance. A certificate should name the business and show dates that cover the day of your job.
Can I leave a bad review about the damage?
Yes, but stick to what happened: the date, the job, the damage, what they said when you raised it. Leave out guesses about the person. In one widely reported case a homeowner was sued by the business he reviewed, so facts you can show with photos are your best protection.