Having someone from craigslist install a ceiling fan?

[Steve S.]

What are the risks?

What questions would you ask or require them to prove before you'd have them do the install on a rental or your personal residence? 

THings like are they bonded or are they a licensed electrician?  What else?

Are there better websites to use?

What would you generally pay for this type of service

[Robert Gailie]

I am an electrician and I actually grew my business from craigslist because I hated paying to advertise. Most of my business was just from there actually. I'm sure there is plenty of hacks on there posting ads but just talk to them and most of the time you can tell when they aren't any good. Make sure they are insured and licensed if that applys to your area.

As for Angie list, home advisor, home depot, lowes, yelp you aren't getting anyone different than what you can get off of craigslist. The screening process to become a contractor with any of them takes all of 10 minutes. I was very surprised at how little they screened me to become a contractor on their site. 

You should be looking to pay 75-175 from any contractor as long as the project is normal circumstances. If you get anyone less then that then they probably aren't very good at what they do or they are terrible business people.