How to hire a reliable artisan in Nigeria
Updated 23 October 2026 · By the Fixgent team
Short answer
Most people find artisans through a referral, an estate or WhatsApp group, a classifieds site such as Jiji, or a booking app. Referrals are trusted but limited; groups and classifieds give choice but no protection; booking apps add checks and payment protection for a fee. Whatever you use, agree the price in writing and don't pay everything before the work is done.
At a glance
| Referral | Estate / WhatsApp group | Classifieds (e.g. Jiji) | Booking app (e.g. Fixgent) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trust | High if the referrer used them recently | Mixed; depends on the group | You vet them yourself | ID checks and reviews from real bookings |
| Choice | One or two names | Several names | Many listings | Artisans available at your address and time |
| Price clarity | Negotiated | Negotiated | Negotiated | Shown before you book |
| If it goes wrong | Goodwill | Goodwill | Between you and the seller | Redo or refund under the platform's promise |
| Cost | No fee | No fee | No fee | Service fee (10% on Fixgent) |
A checklist for any artisan
- Describe the job clearly, with photos. Vague requests get vague prices.
- Get the price in writing (a message is fine): labour, materials, transport and what happens if the job is bigger than expected.
- Ask who buys materials, and get receipts if the artisan does.
- Don't pay everything up front. Pay on completion, in stages for big jobs, or through a platform that holds the money.
- Test the work before they leave: run the tap, switch on the AC, check the socket.
- Keep records of the agreement, payments and photos.
Red flags
- Pressure to pay a large deposit before anyone has seen the job.
- A price that changes once the artisan is inside your home, without explanation.
- Refusing to say what parts were used or to return the old ones.
- No way to reach them after the job.
Where Fixgent fits
Fixgent is a booking platform for home services across Nigeria. Prices shown before you book; payment held until the job is done; artisans pass a government ID, selfie and face-match check; reviews only from completed bookings; redo or refund if reported within 48 hours. It costs a 10% service fee on top of the artisan's price. It is new, so in some areas you may still find more choice through referrals or groups.
Get a price for general handyman
Describe the job and compare ID-checked artisans' prices before you book. Payment is held until the job is done.
See pricesQuestions people ask
How do I know an artisan's price is fair?
Compare two or three prices for the same job description, and check our cost guides for typical ranges.
Should I pay a deposit?
For small repairs, avoid it. For large jobs needing materials, pay for materials against receipts or in stages tied to progress.
What if the job fails a few days later?
Contact the artisan straight away with photos. On Fixgent, report it within 48 hours for a redo or refund, or within 7 days for a free redo.
Related services: General handyman, Plumbing, Electrical, Air conditioner service & repair
Sources
Fixgent is not paid by any company named on this page. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at support@fixgent.com.