How to hire a mistri in Dhaka without being overcharged

Most bad experiences with mistris come down to three things: a vague job, no idea of the fair price, and paying before the work is checked. These eight habits fix all three.

1. Describe the job precisely. “Two ceiling fans to fit and one switch board sparking” gets better quotes than “electric work”.
2. Add photos. A photo of the tap, the board or the damp patch tells a mistri more than a paragraph.
3. Know the typical price. On Mistri, every job shows its usual price band before you post.
4. Compare more than one quote. Look at rating, completed jobs and distance as well as price; the cheapest isn’t always the best.
5. Agree a total that includes parts. If parts are extra, agree that before work starts.
6. Approve extras before they happen. On Mistri, a mistri has to ask for extra work or parts in the app, and you approve or decline.
7. Check who arrives. The mistri you booked gives you nothing; you give them the start code. No code, no work.
8. Pay after you’ve tested it. Run the fan, the tap or the AC first. Then pay, and rate the job so the next customer knows.

Typical prices for common jobs

Job	Typical price
AC servicingAC repair & servicing · each	৳800–1,500
Not coolingAC repair & servicing · each	৳600–1,800
Ceiling fan install / repairElectrician · each	৳300–600
Wiring fault / short circuitElectrician	৳500–1,500
Leaking tapPlumber & sanitary · each	৳200–450
Blocked drainPlumber & sanitary	৳300–800
Burner won't igniteGas & chula repair	৳200–500
Door lock / hingeCarpenter · each	৳200–500
Room paint (per room)Painter · each	৳3,000–6,000

If something fails soon after, report it in the app within the guarantee period, and we arrange a free re-visit or a refund to your wallet.