For service providers
Earn with Like Magic
Get jobs in Durban and surrounds as an independent, vetted pro. Choose your hours, take the jobs you want and get paid through the app.
Why join
More work, less admin
You stay your own boss. We bring the customers, handle the payments and give you the tools.
Jobs near you
Tell us your trade, where you are based and how far you'll travel. We send you jobs in your area.
Your hours, your call
Set your own hours. See the job before you accept it, and decline the ones you don't want.
Fixed-price jobs and quotes
Take fixed-price jobs for common work, and quote your own price on call-outs and bigger jobs.
Paid through the app
Customers pay in the app, so there's no chasing money. Your earnings are paid into your bank account.
Job tools built in
Live navigation to the job, before-and-after photos, a job report for the customer, and customer ratings.
Simple, fair fees
No surprises. See the Provider Agreement for how fees and payouts work.
How it works
From application to your first job
Apply
Tell us about you or your business, your trade and where you work. You see the cost of your background checks here.
Upload documents
ID, proof of address, bank letter, proof of your insurance, and the registration your trade needs.
We check
ID and criminal record (you pay for these checks at sign-up), plus your insurance, trade registration and references.
Get activated
Once you pass, your profile goes live in the app.
First jobs
Accept jobs, navigate to the customer and send a job report when you're done.
Requirements
What you need to apply
Have these ready and your application moves faster. What you need depends on your trade.
Everyone
- South African ID, or a passport with a valid permit that allows you to work
- Proof of address
- Bank confirmation letter in your own or your business's name
- Background checks: ID and criminal record, with your consent. You pay for these yourself; we tell you the cost and how to book them before anything is charged.
- Your own insurance to cover your work, with proof
- Your trade registration, where the law requires one (see the table below)
When it applies
- Companies: CIPC registration documents and directors' IDs
- If you employ staff: COIDA registration and a letter of good standing
- References from past customers or employers help
Requirements by trade
| Trade | What the law requires | Documents to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing | No national plumber licence, but municipal by-laws require plumbing work to be done by, or under the control of, a qualified plumber. Only a PIRB Licensed Plumber may issue a PIRB plumbing certificate of compliance (CoC). | Trade test or QCTO plumbing certificate; PIRB registration card (Licensed Plumber status for CoC work); proof of your own insurance. |
| Geysers | A qualified plumber (municipal by-laws). Geyser CoCs: a PIRB Licensed Plumber. A new electrical circuit must be done by a registered electrician. | Trade test or QCTO plumbing certificate; PIRB registration card; details of your registered electrician for new circuits; proof of your own insurance. |
| Electrical | Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009: electrical contractors register every year with the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL), and all work must be under the general control of a registered person. Only a registered person may issue an Electrical CoC. | This year's DoEL electrical contractor registration certificate; registered person certificate (single-phase tester, installation electrician or master installation electrician); proof of your own insurance. |
| Air-conditioning | Pressure Equipment Regulations: refrigerant work needs an SAQCC Gas Authorised Refrigeration Practitioner, and a CoC after installation. A new electrical supply needs a registered electrician. | SAQCC Gas refrigeration practitioner card (check the category and expiry date); electrical registration, or details of your partner electrician; proof of your own insurance. |
| Handyman | No licence needed. You may not do electrical, gas, plumbing or security work. | Two references; photos of your past work; trade certificates, if you have them; proof of your own insurance. |
| Gas | Pressure Equipment Regulations: only an authorised person registered with SAQCC Gas may install, repair or remove a gas appliance or system, and must issue a gas CoC afterwards. | SAQCC Gas registration card showing your category and expiry date; proof of your own insurance. |
| Solar & backup power | The wiring is electrical installation work: a registered person must do or control it and issue an Electrical CoC. Grid-tied systems need municipal approval (small-scale embedded generation). A PV GreenCard is voluntary but preferred. | DoEL electrical contractor registration; registered person certificate; PV GreenCard, if you have one; proof of your own insurance. |
| Appliance repair | No licence for plug-in appliances. A hard-wired stove or oven is electrical installation work (registered electrician). Gas appliances need SAQCC Gas registration. | Trade or manufacturer certificates, if you have them; two references; electrical or SAQCC Gas registration for that kind of work; proof of your own insurance. |
| Locksmith | PSIRA registration is mandatory for locksmiths, for both the individual and the business (Private Security Industry Regulation Act). | PSIRA registration certificate and number; PSIRA letter of good standing for your business (valid for 90 days); proof of your own insurance. |
| CCTV, alarms & gates | PSIRA registration for installing and repairing security equipment: alarms, CCTV, access control and gate motors. Electric fences need a DoEL-registered electric fence installer and an electric fence CoC. | PSIRA registration certificate and number; PSIRA letter of good standing for your business; electric fence installer registration, for fencing; proof of your own insurance. |
| Painting | No licence needed. | Two references; photos of your past work; proof of your own insurance. |
| Roofing & waterproofing | No licence needed for repairs today. Building new homes needs NHBRC registration. The Housing Consumer Protection Act will extend NHBRC registration to renovations once it comes into force. | Two references; photos of your past work; proof of your own insurance; NHBRC certificate, if you build new homes. |
| Carpentry & tiling | No licence needed. | Two references; photos of your past work; trade certificates, if you have them; proof of your own insurance. |
| Pest control | Anyone who applies pesticides for payment must be a registered Pest Control Operator in the right field (Act 36 of 1947). Registration lasts 3 years. | PCO registration certificate showing your field and expiry date; proof of your own insurance. |
| Pool | No licence needed. | Two references; photos of your past work; proof of your own insurance. |
| Cleaning | No licence needed. | Two references; proof of your own insurance. |
| Garden | No licence needed. Spraying pesticides for payment requires Pest Control Operator registration. | Two references; photos of your past work; PCO certificate, if you spray pesticides; proof of your own insurance. |
| Moving | No licence needed. | A valid driver's licence and vehicle details, if you drive for the job; two references; proof of your own insurance. |
Every provider, in every trade, must carry their own insurance and pass ID and criminal record checks. Trades without a licence (handyman, painting, carpentry and tiling, cleaning, garden, pool and moving) may not do electrical, gas, plumbing or security work as part of a job. Registrations must be valid, so upload the new certificate when yours is renewed. This table is a guide to help you prepare, not legal advice. We check the current rules when we vet you.
Your documents and your privacy
We only use your documents to vet you and keep your profile up to date, as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) requires. We ask for your consent before we run a criminal record check, and we keep only the result (clear or not clear) and the date, not the full report. Customers never see your documents. Read our Privacy notice, and send privacy requests to privacy@likemagic.co.za.
FAQ
Questions from providers
Do I work for Like Magic?
No. You stay an independent business, responsible for your own work, and you must carry your own insurance. Like Magic is the marketplace that brings you customers, takes payment in the app and gives you the job tools. You choose your hours and which jobs you take.
Do I need my own insurance?
Yes. Every provider must carry their own insurance to cover their work, and upload proof when they apply. You are responsible for your own work, including fixing your workmanship if something isn't right.
What does it cost to join?
You pay for your background checks (ID and criminal record) when you sign up, and you see the cost when you apply. After that: simple, fair fees, all set out in the Provider Agreement. Please read it before you apply.
Can I apply as a one-person business?
Yes. You can apply on your own or as a company. Companies also need their CIPC documents, and COIDA registration if they employ staff.
My trade is "Opening soon". Can I apply now?
Yes. We are vetting providers in those trades now, so we are ready when they open for bookings.
Can I say no to a job?
Yes. You see the job before you accept it and you can decline it. You also set the hours you are available.
How and when do I get paid?
Customers pay in the app and your earnings are paid into the bank account on your bank confirmation letter. Payout timing is set out in the Provider Agreement.
How long does vetting take?
It depends mostly on how quickly the criminal record and registration checks come back. Having all your documents ready when you apply helps a lot.
Who sees my criminal record check?
Only the people at Like Magic who vet providers. We keep the result as clear or not clear, with the date. Customers never see it.
Do I need my own tools and transport?
Yes. As an independent business you bring your own tools and get yourself to the job. Live navigation in the app helps you find the address.
Other questions about joining? Email providers@likemagic.co.za
Ready to grow your business?
Apply online, upload your documents and we'll take it from there.