15 Questions To Ask A Virtual Assistant Company Before You Sign

Questions About The Model

• Who employs the assistant, and who pays them?

• Is my assistant dedicated to me or shared with other clients?

• What happens if they leave in the first 90 days?

• What is the notice period on my side?

• What is the total monthly cost including every fee?

Questions About Vetting

• What exactly did you check before introducing this person?

• Can I see the English assessment and skills test results?

• Did you call references, and can I call one too?

• How many candidates did you screen for this role?

Questions About The Work

• Which hours will they work, and in what time zone?

• Who is my day-to-day contact if something goes wrong?

• What happens on their public holidays?

• Who owns the tools, equipment, and data access?

• How is time tracked and reported?

• What do your best clients do differently in the first month?

What Good Answers Sound Like

Specific. A good provider names the test, the reference count, and the replacement window without hedging. A weak one says “our rigorous process” and moves on.

Use our company directory to compare models before the call, so you know which questions matter most for that type.

Questions For Each Model

Agencies: ask about the guarantee window and what counts as a replacement. Subscription services: ask about rollover, overages, and whether your assistant is dedicated. Managed services: ask about supervision, backup coverage, and data security. Marketplaces: ask about payment protection and dispute handling. Employer-of-record platforms: ask which countries use owned entities and how year-end tax documents are handled.

What To Do With The Answers

Put the answers for each provider side by side in a simple table: model, total monthly cost, vetting steps, replacement terms, contact person. The best choice is usually obvious once the sales language is stripped away. If two are close, call a client reference for each and decide on what they say.

What This Looks Like In Practice

An owner asks a subscription service whether the assistant is dedicated. The answer is “mostly.” That one word means shared time, which explains the low price. The owner picks a slightly more expensive dedicated plan and avoids the mismatch.

A Quick Checklist Before You Start

• Employment and payment flow understood.

• Vetting steps received in writing.

• Replacement and notice terms confirmed.

• Total monthly cost in one number.

• Point of contact named.

Questions Owners Ask

Should I ask for client references from the company?

Yes. Two clients in a similar industry, contacted directly.

Is a trial period normal?

Common with subscription and managed services. Agencies usually offer a replacement guarantee instead.