I always think about the client's personality first.  Some vendors are not a good fit for one client but are perfect for another.  That process starts with a vendor discussion showing the vendor the problem/situation that I needed fixed along with an idea of what the client is like (demanding? go-with-the-flow? etc.)  Once I find a good vendor for a client, I let the client know what the vendor is supposed to accomplish and the costs involved in meeting those goals.  

Six months ago I had a client pass away, leaving his wife to handle both his lawsuit as well as his personal affairs.  The client is using her future settlement funds to hire an estate attorney to set up her late husband's estate.  I found a lawyer in Alpharetta for her who I've known for a long time.  The lawyer is relatively close to the client in Cumming.  The lawyer has a more hands-on, take charge approach that my client appreciated.  It also allowed the lawyer/vendor to meet someone in the local Cumming community who can be a gate opener for her small but growing law firm.