Most home work starts with a conversation. The installer walks the room, says the patch will match the wall, says the crew will be back Thursday, says the old fixture will be hauled away. Everyone nods. A week later, the paper says something narrower, or says nothing at all, and the conversation is hard to prove.
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You do not need to distrust the person to fix this. You only need the promises to exist in one place that both of you can point to.
What to write down before the first tool comes out
Ask for a short written scope, even if it is an email. It should name the job in plain words, the start and finish window, who will be on site, and what is left out. The left-out part matters most. If the crew says they will repaint the hallway but the quote only covers the patch, that gap belongs on paper now.
Also write down who answers the phone after the job is done, and how quickly they say they will call back. A promise about a callback is still a promise.
How to ask without starting a fight
Read the spoken promise back as a question. For example: so the patch will be sanded and primed, and the color will be matched by the paint you choose, is that right? If the answer is yes, ask them to send that sentence in writing. Most good contractors do this without fuss. If the answer gets slippery, you have learned something useful before any money moves.
When a promise should stop the job
If the crew will not put a spoken promise in writing, do not decide the matter on the spot. Tell them you will check with your family and the care team first, and ask them to hold the start until you have their written scope. A clear, calm pause is a normal part of hiring for a house someone depends on.