Make sure you can communicate with your repairman, and get a written price on your claim check. Some shops do only full soles, and some do both half and full. Full soles give the repairman the opportunity to return the shoe to almost new appearance. Women' s pumps seldom get full soles. A properly done half sole will be indistinguishable from a full sole, with a fine line under the shank as the only sign that the shoe has been re-soled.
Boots are a special case.
Most good western boots have a wood pegged shank, and should be full soled with the best leather available. I have never seen a cut rate shop that doesn't cut corners on materials and workmanship. This is not to say that a few full rate shops won't use cheap materials, but they are selling out their reputations for a few dollars of extra profit on a few repairs. Penny loafers and many ultra light weight Italian loafers are made in this style. Your lawyer wears these at home.