First of all, as a client, you can register and use 4BUILDAZ for free.

Once registered (provide your full legal and contact details), you can either advertise your work by posting it on the platform; OR you can search for a freelancer/service provider from our extensive database of experts.

it is important for you, the client, to provide accurate and clear description of the service or product you need. You can do this by typing your requirements and/or uploading documents (e.g. design brief, site plans, photos, etc) to ensure that the freelancer or service provider understands the work properly. By typing or uploading your requirements, you have automatically agreed to our contractual Terms & Conditions - and we will protect your interests.

Once a freelancer agrees to work for you (either because you advertised/posted a project  OR you found the freelancer/servicer provider using our "Search" feature, then you will both be entering into a contractual agreement as contained in our Terms & Conditions. Next you (as client) will make a payment for the agreed product/service but the money you pay is not given to freelancer/service provider yet. It is held in an escrow account UNTIL the project/service you asked for is delivered satisfactorily, i.e. based on your stated requirements. Any change in requirements will depend on the freelancer / service provider agreeing to the new changes. They may or may not ask for additional fees as a result of such changes.

On 4BUILDAZ, you can find a wide range of services related to the construction industry, including but not limited to PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, (e.g. construction site supervision, project management, architectural design, 3D rendering & animation, structural design, cost estimating, etc); TRADES & ARTISANS, (e.g. electricians, plumbers, tilers, POP specialists, carpenters, roofers, painters, labourers, etc); MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS SUPPLIERS (cement, blocks, interlocking tiles, paint, bathroom fittings, electrical fittings, solar energy systems); EQUIPMENT RENTALS (drilling equipment, power tools, compactors, bulldozers, cranes, scaffolding, etc), and TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (pick-up trucks, trailers, water tankers, etc). Whether you're a client looking to hire professionals or you are a freelancer or service provider offering your expertise, 4BUILDAZ is the platform connects you with the right talent and resources - regardless of your location.

As a freelancer or service provider on 4BUILDAZ, you can create a profile, list your skills, and clients will find you based on your profile (expertise, experience rating, location, cost, etc). But you can also bid for available projects that clients have posted (you do this by sending a brief proposal). You'll have access to a wide network of clients who are in need of construction-related services. We offer flexible subscription plans to give you access to more opportunities, and we charge a small commission on successful transactions, ensuring you get paid fairly for your work.

Clients are charged a percentage of the project cost as commission fee. This is a small amount (as little as 0.1% for large project costs and up to 5% for smaller project costs). This commission is automatically added to the agreed costs between you and freelancer/service provider that you entered into an agreement with. This commission (fee) helps us maintain and improve the platform while ensuring you can access top-tier talent in the construction industry. The commission fee is also vital to ensure that we pay third-parties for the escrow (bank protection services) so that your money is protected and the freelancer/service provider ONLY receives the money AFTER the project conditions (requirements) are satisfactorily delivered.

For each transaction done by a professional, artisan, materials/product sellers or transporters, 4BUILDAZ takes a 4% fixed commission from the agreed cost of the project/order. This commission (fee) helps us maintain and improve the platform while ensuring you can access top-tier talent in the construction industry. It is therefore important to factor this 4% commission into your project/service costs  - but without out-pricing yourself out of the market. There would always be someone offering something cheaper (or faster) in a free market economy.

We thoroughly vet all service providers to ensure they meet the required qualifications and standards for their respective services. Where relevant, we ask service providers to send proof of professional qualifications or registration. We also have system of "Badges" that depict the status and reputation of each service provider or freelancer. Besides, we have a feedback (comments) feature that ensures past clients can give feedback on freelancers/sellers (and vice versa).

Clients can view detailed profiles, ratings, and reviews from previous work done by professionals, artisans, materials/product sellers and transporters. This gives our client confidence in choosing the right service provider for their projects.

Furthermore, as a client, you must ensure that your requirements (project brief) is clear and detailed enough for any freelancer (or service provider) to appreciate the work/service required. This helps in transparency and trust-building.

Clients can make payments securely through our platform using online payment methods, such as  credit/debit cards options and bank transfers. We use a reliable payment gateway (PayStack) to ensure a seamless payment experience. Once a service provider is hired, the payment is processed (and held secured with us - via PayStack) according to the agreed terms, and the client will receive an invoice. Payments are only released to freelancers/service provider after the work is completed to the client's satisfaction, ensuring a smooth and secure experience and transaction for both parties.

Whenever there is a disagreement leading to a dispute between buyer and seller, our preference is to enable them to discuss and negotiate by communicating (within 4BUILDAZ platform) using our in-built Chat or Google Meeting to iron out their differences. This allows for transparency and evidence trail.

If this discussion or negotiation fails, then either them them can raise a 'Dispute' within the system. Our team of professional administrators and construction dispute resolution experts would investigate the matter and resolve it fairly using evidence (e.g. what were the requirements vs. what was delivered). This is why it is important to keep all communications within the 4BUILDAZ platform, as we cannot trust the authenticity of messages sent/shared in platforms like WhatsApp or Email.

This dispute resolution process may require third-parties to be involved in mediation and negotiation between the client and freelancer/service providers concerned. The dispute could be resolved in favour of cancelling the 'order' or 'project' (in which case client gets their full money refunded) OR it may be judged in favour of the freelancer/service provider, in which case, the client has to accept the deliverables - and the freelancer gets paid.

It is in our reputational interest to ensure all disputes are resolved amicably and professionally. We would involve experts in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for complex cases. We have no interest or benefit in favouring one side over the other.

It is important for clients and service providers to keep evidence by communicating within the 4BUILDAZ platform using clear requirements (e.g. documents uploaded) and using chat messaging, and taking photos when physical products (e.g. block or tiles) are delivered to site and some may have been damaged before delivery.

A featured service is a way of highlighting one of the many services you offer as a freelancer or service provider.

For example, an architect registered on 4BUILDAZ may offer 5 different kinds of services on their page, such as: (1) Concept Design Services, (2) Detailed Design (working drawing) Services; (3) 3D Interior and Exterior Rendering Services; (4) Animation Services;  (5) Virtual Reality Walk-through Services. Out of these 5 different services, if the architect goes for Silver Subscription Plan will allow him feature (highlight) only ONE of them. So he may chose to Feature his 3D animation perhaps because it is the most in-demand or most profitable for him,

With the Gold Subscription Plans, a freelancer/service provider will be able to feature (highlight) up to 6 services, while the and Diamond Subscription Plan has up to 15 featured services that can be highlighted.

Some who sells a lot of building materials would probably want to get the Diamond Subscription Plan so that they can feature up to 15 different products at any given time. Of course some (e.g. building materials) sellers can have as many as 100+ products that they sell, but they can feature (highlight) the most important 15 products from their shop.

For freelancers and service providers, when you subscribe to Silver, Gold or Diamond Plans, you will have certain credits that allow you to bid (compete/apply) for projects that are posted by clients. Without credits, you will only rely on clients reaching out to you directly. You cannot bid for an advertised jobs if you don't have subscription credits - or enough leftover credits.

We encourage clients to meet with freelancers or service providers using our FREE Google Meeting feature. Such meetings are important to know who you are working for and to clarify issues or to negotiate the project deliverables/fees.

• CLIENTS: To arrange a Google meeting, simply look for a "Book a Meeting" button on the freelancer or service provider's page. You should ideally have Google Email account (which comes with Google Calendar) as well as Google Chrome browser on your device (phone/laptop) so that you can book a meeting. The date and time of meeting depends on what the freelancer/service provider has allocated as meeting days/times on their dashboard.
• FREELANCERS, OR SERVICE PROVIDERS: To use the Google meeting functionality you should have a Google Email account (which comes with Google Calendar) as well as Google Chrome browser on your device (phone/laptop). You will first go to your dashboard and create "Meeting Availability" where you set the days (and hours) that you are available to meet. For example, Monday to Fridays at 09:00am to 12:00n AND from 13:00pm to 18:00pm. For Saturdays and Sundays, you can decide to make yourself available at say 13:00pm to 17:00pm only. This is just an example.

Without setting your "Meeting Availability" on your dashboard, clients cannot book meetings. 

During a chat conversation, you can also decide to create an instant Google meeting by booking a slot on your "Availability" schedule.

The reality is that some projects are physical and so face-to-face meetings are important and inevitable.

However, we encourage clients and freelancers / service providers to use our free Google Meeting functionality, especially at the early stages - OR when both of them are far from each other. For example, the client may be in Delta State while the Architect is in Lagos, while the Engineer or Quantity Surveyor is in Kaduna State. In such cases, it is important to meet using Google Meeting (which is free).

Finally, whereas some clients/freelancers may decide to agree project requirements and make payments outside 4BUILDAZ, such people will not have the protection and guarantee of quality and timely service that our 4BUILDAZ platform offers.

At 4BUILDAZ, we ensure that by protecting the funds (in an escrow account) no party (person) will feel cheated or fall into fraudulent hands when they make a transaction. Whatever fee is agreed by client is not released until terms and conditions (and requirements) are satisfied by service provider (freelancer). Similarly, if a service has been provided in accordance with stated requirements (e.g. brief), then we ensure that people get paid for their work, without chasing anybody for their money. This is the beauty of 4BUILDAZ. We are after your best interest and we are fair to everyone!