Leave a Comment / Mega Labourers,, Professional Construction / By Sam
The day Dr. Itoro sent home money to begin construction on his new family home in Uyo, he was excited. The drawings have been approved, the family member have visited the site, and live photos from the site have started coming in. Then slowly, the updates reduce. Calls become harder to return. When Dr. Itoro eventually travels to Nigeria two years later, what he met is not a home, but a half-finished structure and a long list of explanations. He did not do know that there are questions you should ask any construction company before you start sending money home!
Most of the time, the problem didn’t start with bad intentions. It started with not asking the right questions before building began.
If you’re planning to build in Nigeria, these are the questions you should ask any construction company — not to be difficult, but to protect yourself.
READ MORE: Construction Delays in Nigeria: Why Projects Drag On
What Is Your Construction Process From Start to Finish?
One of the most important questions you should ask any construction company is how they actually work.
A professional team should be able to clearly explain their process — from planning and design coordination, through construction phases, monitoring, and final handover. When a company cannot explain how they build, it often means they rely on improvisation rather than structure.
Good buildings don’t come from guesswork.
How Is the Project Broken Into Phases?
Construction should never feel like a single, risky transaction.
Ask how the project is divided into stages, what each phase delivers, and how progress is measured before moving forward. Phased construction creates accountability and gives clients confidence that work is being done as agreed.
This question alone prevents many abandoned projects.
How Do You Handle Cost Changes During Construction?
Material prices change — that’s reality in Nigeria.
What matters is how a construction company plans for these changes. Ask how cost variations are communicated, documented, and approved before decisions are made. A transparent approach protects both the builder and the client from misunderstandings.
Who Oversees Quality on Site Every Day?
Another critical question you should ask any construction company is about site supervision.
Who checks that the work matches the drawings?
Also, who ensures materials are used correctly?
And who is accountable when standards slip?
Quality is not achieved at the end of a project — it is controlled daily.
How Will You Communicate Progress to Me?
Especially for clients living abroad, communication is everything.
Ask how often updates are sent, what form they take, and who your point of contact is. Silence during construction creates anxiety, even when work is ongoing.
Clarity builds trust.
What Happens After the Building Is Completed?
A serious construction company thinks beyond handover day.
Ask about post-construction support, documentation, and guidance for maintaining the building. Completion is not the end — it’s the beginning of ownership.
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A Story Worth Ending Well
Many people who regret their building experience say the same thing:
“If only I had asked more questions at the beginning.”
The right questions don’t delay progress. They prevent heartbreak.
If you’re preparing to build, take the time to understand how your construction company thinks — before they build for you.
Ready to Build With Confidence?
Before you begin any construction project in Nigeria, know that every successful project starts with honest conversations, clear processes, and accountability from day one.
When you’re ready, have the right conversation with the right construction company — before the first block is laid!
