Most agencies will take your money. The ones that will actually deliver what you need are a smaller group. Here is how to tell the difference.
Evaluate an automation agency on four dimensions: relevant experience (have they built exactly this type of automation before?); commercial structure (is the project fixed-price, and is payment milestone-based?); delivery model (who actually builds the project — staff or subcontractors, and how is quality controlled?); and handover (do you own the code, and can you operate the system without them?).
Ask: Can you show me a previous project similar to what I need? (If they cannot, walk away.) Is this fixed-price or time-and-materials? (Time-and-materials with no ceiling is a red flag.) Who specifically will be building this project? (Vague answers suggest the answer is offshore subcontractors with limited management.) What does handover look like? (You should receive code, documentation, and full access.)
A good automation engagement: starts with a thorough discovery call before any pricing is discussed; produces a written scope document describing exactly what will be built; prices the project fixed; structures payment in milestones tied to delivery; and ends with a handover giving you complete ownership of everything. Assembly HQ runs every project this way. Get in touch to discuss yours.
Tell us what you need. Fixed-price proposal within 24 hours.