Hiring artisans in Lagos and frustrations sometimes go hand-in-hand, if you are not equipped with the right information on how to hire them.
Not all artisans come from the devil, though many of them lack the expected level of professionalism and respect for customers’ time.
While some artisans may be very nice and friendly as individuals, their work ethic gives their customers serious migraine most times.
If you choose to look beyond these flaws, you will see that the problem comes from their training. Because some of them did not attend vocational schools or some sort of structured training system that intentionally teaches them about good work ethic and customer service.
At Yoodalo, we appreciate how much stress some of these unreliable and unprofessional artisans can cause you, your time, money, and mental health. That is why we take it upon ourselves to build a community of decent vendors, artisans, freelancers, and service providers who want to leave great impressions with their customers.
From our experience engaging and speaking with smart artisans who are experienced enough to care about not just money but also their reputation, we have listed some tips that will help you hire good artisans in Lagos, or anywhere in Nigeria.
Tips to help you hire great artisans in Lagos?
- Ask for recommendations: Get recommendations from friends, family, neighbours, or colleagues who have hired an artisan in the past. Their first-hand experiences can be valuable in finding a trustworthy professional.
- Check their online reviews: Look for online platforms where customers can leave reviews about artisans and vendors in your area. Pay attention to both positive and negative feedback to get a comprehensive understanding of the artisan’s reputation.
- Assess experience and expertise: Enquire about the artisan’s experience and expertise in handling projects similar to yours. Ask for examples of past work or references to assess their competence.
- Communication is key: Assess their communication skills during the initial stages of interaction. A good vendor should be responsive, clear, and able to understand your requests. Effective communication is key for a successful working relationship.
- Trust your instincts: Lastly, trust your instincts when making a decision. If something feels off or if you have doubts about a particular artisan, it’s better to continue your search. Building trust and confidence in your chosen handyman is crucial for a successful working relationship.
As mentioned, it is very important you establish good communication with artisans you want to hire, especially if it is for a long term project or for work that can greatly impact your business and family. We have curated some questions that can help you obtain useful information about an artisan’s experience, work ethic, customer service, personal values among other things, before committing to them.
What are the questions to ask when hiring an artisan in Nigeria?
- How long have you been working in this field?
- Do you have any specialized skills or areas of expertise?
- Can you provide references from previous clients or examples of past projects similar to mine?
- Are you licensed and insured? Can you provide proof?
- What types of projects do you typically work on?
- Will you be working alone or with a team?
- How do you handle project timelines and ensure timely completion?
- Do you guarantee your work? What is your policy for addressing any issues or problems that may arise?
- How do you handle unexpected additional work or changes to the scope of work?
- What is your pricing structure? Do you provide written estimates? Are there any additional fees or costs I should be aware of?
- Will you be able to obtain any necessary permits or approvals for the project?
- What tools and equipment do you have, and will I need to provide any materials or supplies?
- Can you explain your process for ensuring safety during the project?
- How do you handle clean-up after completing the work, if required?
- Are you able to provide a written contract or agreement outlining the scope of work, timeline, and payment terms?
We wish you the best of luck with hiring artisans in Lagos, and don’t forget that we’ve got your back on this. Yoodalo helps small business owners and vendors attract customers across Nigeria at zero cost. Get started now.