We've All Been There
Your AC breaks in the middle of a 45-degree Lahore summer. You panic, call the first number you find, and a guy shows up an hour late.
He looks at the AC for 30 seconds, says "gas khatam hai, refill karwana padega," and quotes Rs. 8,000.
You have no idea if that's fair. You have no way to compare. You're sweating, the kids are uncomfortable, and you just want it fixed. So you say yes.
Two hours later, he leaves. The AC works for 3 days. Then it stops again. You call him — he doesn't pick up.
You've been overcharged, underdelivered, and left with a broken AC.
This is the Pakistani home services experience. And it doesn't have to be this way.
This guide will show you how to find honest, verified, reviewed tradespeople who do quality work at fair prices — every time.
The 4 Ways You Get Overcharged
1. The "Gas Refill" Scam
The scam: The tradesperson says your AC/fridge needs a gas refill when it doesn't. They charge Rs. 5,000–8,000, top up a tiny amount of gas (or none at all), and leave.
How to avoid: Ask them to show you the pressure gauge reading before and after the refill. If they can't or won't, they're scamming you. Use a verified AC technician from Masters Pakistan who has reviews.
2. The "Part Replacement" Trick
The scam: The electrician/plumber says "yeh part kharab hai, naya lagana padega." They charge you for a new part, install a used or cheap one, and pocket the difference.
How to avoid: Ask to see the old part. Ask what brand the new part is. Take a photo of the new part. A verified, reviewed tradesperson is far less likely to do this.
3. The "Time Padding" Technique
The scam: The tradesperson quotes a price, then says "yeh kaam 4 ghante ka hai" when it should take 1 hour. They charge by the hour and pad their time.
How to avoid: Always agree on a total project price, not an hourly rate, for any job that takes more than 30 minutes. Get the price in writing (or in a WhatsApp message).
4. The "Hidden Charges" Surprise
The scam: You agree on Rs. 1,000. After the job, the tradesperson says:
"Bhai, yeh toh sirf service charge tha. Parts alag, transportation alag, extra kaam jo kiya woh alag."
Final bill: Rs. 3,500.
How to avoid: Before the job starts, ask: "Yeh total price hai ya sirf service charge? Parts alag se honge?" Get the answer in writing.
How to Find a Trusted Tradesperson in Pakistan
Step 1: Search on Masters Pakistan
Go to Masters Pakistan and search by:
- Category: Home Services
- City: Your city
- Subcategory: Electrician, Plumber, AC Technician, Carpenter, etc.
- Area: Filter by your specific area (Gulberg, DHA, Johar Town, etc.)
Step 2: Check the Verified Badge
The Verified Badge means the tradesperson has verified their identity with CNIC. This is your first line of defense against scammers.
| Verification | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Unverified | No identity verification — higher risk |
| CNIC Verified | Identity confirmed — safer |
Always prefer verified tradespeople. It's not worth the risk to save Rs. 200.
Step 3: Read Reviews
This is where the magic happens. Reviews from real customers tell you:
- Did they show up on time?
- Did they charge fairly?
- Was the work quality good?
- Did they clean up after?
- Would the customer hire them again?
Look for tradespeople with at least 5 reviews averaging 4.5+ stars.
Step 4: Check Their Bio and Areas
A good tradesperson's profile includes:
- Their trade and experience
- The areas they serve (be specific — "Gulberg and Johar Town," not just "Lahore")
- Their starting price/visit charge
- Their availability
If their bio is empty or vague, that's a red flag.
Step 5: Message Before Booking
Before booking, send a message:
"Assalam o Alaikum, mujhe [describe the problem] kaam karwana hai. Aap [area] mein aate hain? Visit charge kitna hai? Kitna time lagayega?"
A good tradesperson responds within a few hours with clear pricing.
Step 6: Agree on Price Before Work Starts
This is the most important step. Before the tradesperson starts any work:
- Ask for a total price (not just service charge)
- Confirm if parts are included or extra
- Get it in writing (WhatsApp message counts)
- If the price is over Rs. 10,000, use Masters Escrow to protect your money
Average Fair Prices for Common Home Services
Use this as a reference to know if you're being overcharged:
| Service | Fair Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician visit | Rs. 500–1,500 | Basic inspection/repair |
| Fan repair | Rs. 500–1,500 | Including capacitor replacement |
| Switch/socket replacement | Rs. 500–1,000 per switch | Including parts |
| AC service (general) | Rs. 1,000–2,500 | Cleaning, gas check |
| AC gas refill | Rs. 2,500–5,000 | Should include pressure gauge reading |
| AC installation | Rs. 1,500–3,000 | Per unit |
| Plumber visit | Rs. 500–1,500 | Basic inspection |
| Tap replacement | Rs. 500–1,500 | Including parts |
| Drain cleaning | Rs. 1,000–3,000 | Depending on severity |
| Water tank cleaning | Rs. 2,000–5,000 | Full cleaning |
| Carpenter visit | Rs. 500–1,500 | Basic inspection |
| Door hinge repair | Rs. 500–1,500 | Including parts |
| Painter (per room) | Rs. 5,000–15,000 | Including paint |
| Deep cleaning (2-bed apartment) | Rs. 5,000–12,000 | Full deep clean |
Pro tip: Prices in upscale areas (DHA, Bahria Town, Gulberg) tend to be 20–30% higher. That's normal. But anything more than 50% above these ranges is likely overcharging.
Pro Tips: How to Get the Best Service Every Time
1. Compare 2–3 Quotes
Don't hire the first person you find. Message 2–3 verified tradespeople and compare their prices, response times, and reviews.
2. Use Reviews as Your Guide
A tradesperson with 20 reviews and 4.8 stars is almost always a safer choice than one with 2 reviews and 5 stars.
3. Pay After the Work Is Done (For Small Jobs)
For jobs under Rs. 3,000, pay after the work is completed and you've verified it's done correctly. For larger projects, agree on a payment schedule.
4. Use Escrow for Big Projects
For projects over Rs. 10,000 (painting, tiling, solar installation), use Masters Escrow. You deposit the money with Masters Pakistan, and it's only released when the work is completed to your satisfaction.
5. Leave a Review
After every job — good or bad — leave a review. Your review helps other Pakistanis avoid bad tradespeople and find good ones.
The Bottom Line
You don't have to accept being overcharged. By using Masters Pakistan's verification and review system, you can find honest, qualified tradespeople who do quality work at fair prices.
Find a verified tradesperson today and stop getting overcharged — for good.
