PLEASE HELP! you input is and experience is needed and desired

What do you look for when you are trying to screen a painter or some one to do body work for your vehicle. To be honest I am tired of being burned by incompetent a$$ holes who make all kinds of promises and don't follow thru or the claim to be able to do more then they can and after" redoing" a bunch of work and having my car be held hostage for 19 months now by the ididiot(but talented) that re did my stuff I am FINALLY ready for paint and body work I cant afford to make another mistake because if it don't work out this time I goanna sell it PLEASE HELP ME thanks in advance for any helpful input.