Home repairs: how to get a fair price

What a good quote includes

• The visit or inspection fee, and whether it's waived if you go ahead
• A price range for the likely fix, and what would push it to the top of the range
• Parts: included or extra, and are they new?
• A time slot, and a warranty on the work

AC care in Malé's climate

Heat, humidity and salty air are hard on ACs. Many households clean their units every three months; a clean AC cools faster and uses less electricity. A Haama Home Record reminds you when each unit is due.

Red flags

• No price at all until the work is done
• Pressure to pay everything up front in cash
• A much cheaper price that leaves out the visit fee or the parts
• Unregistered workers who aren't employed by the business. Ask which company they work for.