Making a decision
Five questions before hiring AI or tech help
A checklist for the result, price, ownership, privacy, and follow-up.
Editorial draft prepared for owner review · Updated 2026-11-12
Name the friction
Is a task taking too long, is a tool confusing, or is a device not working? Describe the situation in ordinary words.
Choose the type of help
Start with learning for confidence, a small setup project for a repeatable task, or repair when basic technology is failing.
Take one reversible step
Ask a question, try a safe practice exercise, or get a written estimate. Avoid subscriptions and large commitments until you understand the outcome.
Before you spend
Prepare your questions before spending. Ask for the full price and an explanation of alternatives.
A helpful professional can explain the work without pressure, guaranteed-result claims, or a demand for your passwords.
Questions to ask
- What will I learn or receive, and how will we check that it works?
- What is the total price, including subscriptions and follow-up?
- Can you show a relevant example without exposing another customer’s information?
- Will I own the accounts, files, and work when the project ends?
- What information do you need, and how will you protect it?