That's right Direction. Your soap box has a valid point.
But even when you check all the licenses and BBB and in my case our county gov. has a contractor rating list. You figure you have made an informed decision.

The job (problem) is usually something you know nothing or little about so you depend on the person doing the work to know what they are doing.

In Pickle's case there was no control over who does the work it is very frustrating.