Get them from a referral of some sort. Gardener or housecleaner in the 'hood. Make sure who ever is doing the referral knows you're "in the loop" in the neighborhood. That way they've got some skin in the game.
I've hired from a local "day labor" outfit. Theoretically they're insured through them. We got one fairly skilled guy the other not so much. Was simple demo work. They want to get paid every day - but one of our guys (the skilled one) went on a bender and didn't show the next day. When he showed up the following day he was WAY hung over. My advice is to hold out some pay until the end so they show up every day. If they show up late, hung over or no-show pay up to current and cut them loose. Be ruthless.
Get this book too:
https://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Job-Southwestern-Press/dp/0923176098
Fits in your pocket. Really helpful.

This right here. Come tax time you will appreciate it.

Nah. Go to any bar and you will find a painter. Go early, and wait for the one who shows up after five.

Ha, our last painter was a fugitive from the state of Texas. He , and his uncle got nabbed with a trunk full of cocaine. He posted bail, and fled the state. I guess Texas wont come after him Guy worked his tail off though, completed the job in record time, and gave us a whole bunch of extras . I would hire him again
The last few college kids we had helping were pretty useless . As long as I was there baby sitting, it was all good, but no way would I have left them alone .
All good ideas. I have a buddy who runs a property management company, maybe I can ask him for some leads.
I would love to have a company that does this sort of thing that we could call when we needed. That would make the whole rental thing much easier.
Seems like things always blow up at the worst possible time .
This go around is pretty easy, after a lifetime of bad tenants, we are finally reeling this thing in. The lady that just moved out, was a clean freak. She left the place nicer than when she moved in . We just wanna throw some upgrades at it while it is vacant .

Ha! Thanks for the referral, but a crackhead is OK for weed removal and junk hauling. I have one lined up for today. I also need a plumber, drywall guy, glass & screen guy, etc, etc. Gonna be a long week.

If you are going to be there to supervise I guess. If you would be OK with giving a crackhead access to your property from 1k miles away, you are a brave man. :D

Hence the referral. Not that they would be the best choice, but there is something to be said for "one-stop shopping" for this stuff from the licensed/insured guys, as an absentee landlord. Good luck...