How to Evaluate an FM Company Before Signing a Mandate

Nigeria's facility management sector has a low barrier to entry, which means the range of quality between providers is wide — from genuinely professional operators to informal setups running on a phone number and goodwill. Before signing a mandate, a structured evaluation saves owners from finding out the difference the hard way.

Ask for documentation, not promises

Any FM company can describe its process well in a sales meeting. Fewer can produce the paperwork behind it. Ask for a sample monthly report from an existing client (with details redacted if needed), a written maintenance schedule template, and proof of relevant certifications for both the company and its field staff — HSE training in particular.

Understand how they staff the account

Find out whether the people who show up to manage your building are direct employees or subcontracted on a rotating basis. Direct, trained staff with continuity tend to know a building's quirks and history in a way that constantly rotating subcontractors never will.

Clarify reporting cadence and format before signing

Don't leave reporting as a vague promise. Get specific: how often will you receive reports, what will they contain, and can you see a real sample? A provider that can't show you an actual past report is telling you something important about how seriously they treat transparency.

Structuring the mandate itself

A good mandate spells out scope (exactly what's included and, just as importantly, what isn't), reporting obligations, escalation procedures for emergencies, fee structure, and clear termination terms. Vague mandates create disputes later — the more specific the agreement, the fewer surprises for both sides.

Trust, but verify continuously

Even after signing, the relationship shouldn't run on trust alone. Monthly reports should be reviewed, not filed. Periodic site visits — announced and unannounced — help confirm that what's being reported matches what's actually happening on the ground.