Hiring someone to work in or around your home—whether it’s a plumber, landscaper, or tutor—requires more than just a handshake and a smile. When you allow a service worker into your space, you’re placing trust in a stranger. A thorough background check helps protect your home, your finances, and your family. Beyond verifying skills or licenses, it reveals any potential red flags in a person’s history that could compromise your safety. It’s not about being overly cautious—it’s about being proactive and responsible. Here are five key reasons to always background check your potential service workers.
Reduces the Risk of Financial Exploitation
Even small maintenance jobs can come with big costs when service is rushed or poorly executed. Forbes reports that emergency plumbing services can cost two to three times more than a typical job, often due to unqualified or underhanded workers who intentionally cut corners. A background check helps verify licensing and work history, ensuring the person you hire has a solid professional track record. If you’re going to invest in your home, it’s only logical to invest in workers you can trust. By weeding out unreliable contractors early, you avoid unnecessary repairs and hidden fees later on.
Protects Your Household from Substance Abuse-Related Issues
Substance misuse among workers in trades or service industries can pose significant safety risks, especially when equipment or tools are involved. Legally, a person is considered under the influence of marijuana if their blood shows 5 nanograms per millimeter—enough to impair judgment, slow reaction time, and reduce focus. A background check may reveal past drug offenses, DUIs, or other concerns that suggest impaired work performance. If you’re going to invest in a service that affects your home and loved ones, you need confidence that your worker is both sober and reliable.
Provides Insight into Legal or Civil Disputes
Most service professionals operate under good faith, but not all carry the same ethical standards. According to IBISWorld, there are more than 449,000 law firms in the United States—many of which have been involved in civil suits related to contractor fraud, unpaid wages, or negligent work. A basic background check can uncover legal disputes or repeated customer complaints, offering insight into how the worker handles conflict or responsibility. When you invest in ongoing service relationships, this insight can help prevent long-term issues or repeated disappointments.
Helps Confirm Identity and Prevent Fraud
In a digital age, fraudulent identities and fake credentials are easier to produce than ever. Without a background check, it’s difficult to confirm if the person you’re hiring is who they say they are. Identity verification can cross-check against criminal records, aliases, and certifications to confirm you’re working with a legitimate, trained individual. This helps prevent scams, identity theft, and misleading claims that could otherwise go unnoticed until it’s too late. If you’re going to invest in a high-quality service experience, you need to know exactly who’s behind the name and paperwork.
Supports a Safer and More Reliable Work Environment
Every home or jobsite deserves to be a place where safety is prioritized and standards are upheld. When you background check service workers, you promote accountability and encourage a higher level of professionalism. Workers who know they’re subject to checks are more likely to arrive on time, complete tasks properly, and treat your property with respect. This doesn’t just reduce risks—it builds a foundation of mutual trust and professionalism that benefits both parties over time. Whether the job is big or small, safety starts with informed hiring.
Performing a background check is a simple but vital step toward protecting your home and the people in it. By verifying work history, spotting red flags, and promoting safety and accountability, you create a better hiring experience for yourself and a more secure environment for everyone involved. Don’t leave it to chance—take a proactive step toward peace of mind and invest in a process that puts your safety first.