Most people in Lagos have a story: the electrician who collected money for "materials" and disappeared, the plumber who fixed one leak and caused two more, or the painter who left halfway. Good artisans exist in every part of Lagos. The problem is telling them apart before you hand over your money and your keys.
Here are eight checks that make a big difference.
1. Confirm who they really are
Ask for a full name and a phone number, then call it before the visit. A real professional is happy to tell you who they are. On BetaWork, every worker verifies their National Identification Number (NIN) and a live selfie before they can quote, so you know the person who arrives is the person you booked.
2. Look at past work, not promises
Ask for photos of similar jobs and, if possible, the number of a previous customer. Be careful with pictures that look like they came from the internet. Reviews are most useful when they come only from people who actually paid for a finished job.
3. Get the price in writing before work starts
A vague "we will see when I get there" often turns into a much bigger bill. Ask for a written quote that separates labour from materials. If the problem is unclear, it is fair to pay a small inspection fee first and get the full price after the artisan has seen it.
4. Never pay everything upfront
Paying the full amount before the job starts removes the artisan's reason to finish well, or to come back at all. If materials must be bought first, pay for those materials only, and ask for the receipt. Better still, use a payment method that holds the money until the job is done. (We explain why in why you should not pay artisans upfront in cash.)
5. Be clear about the job and the finish
Describe the problem with photos or a short video. Agree on what "done" means: which taps, which rooms, which sockets, what colour. Misunderstandings cause more arguments than bad workmanship.
6. Make sure the right person arrives
Ask the artisan to confirm their name at the gate, and do not let anyone in who says they were "sent by" the person you booked unless you agreed to it. On BetaWork, the worker checks in with a code that only you have, so the job only starts when you give it to them in person.
7. Test the work before you pay the balance
Run the tap, switch on the light, turn on the AC for a while. Check the work before the artisan leaves, not the next day. If something is wrong, say so straight away while they are still there.
8. Know what happens if it fails
Ask: "If this fails tomorrow, will you come back to fix it?" A good artisan will say yes. On BetaWork, if the work fails within 24 hours of completion you can claim free rework, and the worker must come back within 24 hours to fix it.
The short version
Verify the person, see real past work, get the price in writing, and never release all your money until the job is done.
That is exactly how BetaWork works: NIN-verified workers, quotes with labour and materials shown separately, and payment held safely until you confirm the job is done.
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