Five checks before you shortlist anyone
| Check | Where to verify | What good looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Company registration | CAC public search | Registered company name and RC number matching the contract. |
| Engineer registration | COREN | A named, registered engineer responsible for the structure. |
| Architect registration | ARCON | Drawings stamped by a registered architect. |
| Track record | Site visit or video call; client references | Recent, comparable projects with clients who will talk to you. |
| Insurance | Policy schedule from a NAICOM-licensed insurer | Contractors’ all-risk and third-party cover for your site. |
Questions to ask a building contractor
- What is your CAC registration (RC) number, and can I see the certificate?
- Which of your engineers is COREN-registered, and what is the registration number?
- Who is the architect, and are they ARCON-registered?
- Can I see or video-call a project you finished in the last two years, and speak to that client?
- Will you give me an itemised bill of quantities, and can I see your rates?
- How are payments staged, and what has to be inspected before each one?
- Who inspects the work, and are they independent of you?
- What insurance covers the works (e.g. contractors’ all risks), and who is the insurer?
- How will I see progress from abroad: camera, reports, how often?
- How are changes priced and approved?
- What is the defects liability period after handover, and what is retained until it ends?
- What documents do I get at handover (as-built drawings, warranties, certificates)?
Contract terms that protect you
- Scope, drawings and BOQ attached to the contract.
- Payment schedule by stage, each payment released after inspection.
- Programme with key dates, and what happens if they slip.
- Variation procedure: price and time agreed in writing before extra work.
- Retention or defects liability period after handover.
- Ownership of materials on site, insurance and dispute resolution.
Warning signs
- A lump-sum price with no breakdown.
- Large upfront payments before work starts.
- Payments to a personal account rather than the company.
- No finished projects you can see, or references who won’t take a call.
- Reluctance to put things in writing or let an independent inspector in.
Questions people ask
How do I find a qualified building contractor in Nigeria?
Shortlist registered companies (check the CAC search), confirm their engineers on the COREN register and their architect with ARCON, see recent projects, and compare itemised BOQs rather than lump sums.
What questions should I ask a building contractor?
Ask for their RC number, registered engineer and architect, recent projects and references, an itemised BOQ, the stage payment schedule, who inspects the work, insurance, reporting, how changes are priced, the defects period and the handover documents.
Is COREN registration required for building engineers?
Engineering practice in Nigeria is regulated by COREN; the engineer responsible for your structure should be COREN-registered, and you can ask for the registration number.