Knowing the right platform to find the best artisans for a job can be the difference between having a good or a bad day. 

Both LaborHack and Pukena are two great options for finding the best artisans and service professionals. Everything about these platforms, from their meticulous vetting processes to the easy 3-step approach for hiring artisans, screams ease. 

But on closer look, we can identify some key differences and unique features that set these platforms apart, helping you to decide which platform to work with.  

In this LaborHack vs Pukena article, we review these platforms in detail to enable you to make an informed decision. 

Let’s get started. 

What is Pukena?

Pukena is an online artisan platform connecting individuals, households, and corporate organizations with pre-vetted service providers. 

Working with artisans here is easy. All you have to do is fill out a request form detailing your information and what you need to get done. You are immediately matched with the closest and most available Artisan or professional.

Pukena’s operating model is quite unique, as they have various processes in place to ensure clients receive the best services. Artisans undergo a training session through the Pukena Academy and are introduced to the Pukena Quality Standards at orientation. For large-scale projects, Pukena deploys a trained project officer to ensure quality control and successful payments. 

Overall, the Pukena system is built in such a way that clients can safely hire artisans and service providers in different categories and get work done. 

How Does Pukena Work?

As a client

• Visit Pukena’s website and search for the service professional you need. You can search directly or from the categories. 
• Fill out the online form in detail, highlighting your request, its urgency, and scope. 
• Pay the Finders fee which enables Pukena to provide the best artisan for the job
• After payment of the Finders fee, your order is assigned to a verified Pukena professional who will contact you to confirm details and give you a quote. 
• You then make payment only if you’re satisfied with the job.

As a service professional

• Sign up on Pukena and upload all relevant documents including the guarantors’ form. 
• Go through the orientation course through the Pukena Academy. This is compulsory for all artisans who want to be accepted on Pukena. 
• After completion of the orientation course, your details will be verified by an independent team of experts for authenticity and clean records.
• Once all the above steps have been completed, you will begin to get job alerts. 

Benefits for Clients

• Access to verified and pro-level service providers to get the job done. 
• Clients can browse, select, and hire service providers from the comfort of their own homes.

Benefits for Artisans

• Expanded reach for services provided and skill set
• Direct customer interaction
• Opportunity to earn higher. 

What is LaborHack? 

LaborHack is an online artisan platform connecting businesses and homeowners with skilled and certified workers. If you want to hire artisans for your business, make a quick fix at home, or handle a large project, LaborHack provides diverse solutions for you. 

There are various categories of service providers on the platform including; welders, masons, painters, carpenters, solar technicians, AC technicians, plumbers, and more. Hiring an artisan is easy as all you have to do is share your request; you’ll receive a quote and get matched with the best artisan around you. 

One of the reasons LaborHack stands out is its effective strategies that ensure artisans on its platforms are empowered and globally certified to offer premium services. They do this by setting up thorough assessment processes to gauge their skill levels, certify them, and connect them to the right projects. 

Additionally, they offer soft skill training to these artisans which enables them to effectively communicate with clients. This initiative alongside other benefits ensures that every time you interact with an artisan from LaborHack, you are sure of getting premium service. 

How does LaborHack Work? 

You can use LaborHack as both a business and a homeowner. However, the platform may work slightly differently depending on your category. 

To use LaborHack as a business, all you have to do is;

• Signup on LaborHack
• Submit a request explaining the services you need
• Get matched with vetted artisans on LaborHack
• Enjoy clean and high-quality service. 

For homeowners;

• Submit a request explaining the services you need. (There are a few questions asked to help you explain your request clearly).
• Arrange an inspection to enable LaborHack to properly assess the services you require. 
• Receive a quote for the work to be done.
• After payment, your task will be done within the agreed timeframe, ensuring you receive premium service. 

Benefits of LaborHack for Businesses

• You save more resources by working with skilled and certified artisans. 
• You can be assured of getting premium services. 
• With over 4,500 artisans, you can find the perfect match for your specific project requirements.
• Regardless of the nature of your service request, LaborHack provides the flexibility to ensure your projects are completed on time. 
• If you have any disputes with artisans, LaborHack provides an immediate solution. 

Benefits of LaborHack for Homeowners [Individuals]

• LaborHack makes it easy to find an artisan near you to get the job done. 
• You receive an upfront quote based on your request with no hidden costs or charges. 
• With LaborHack, you get what you order, including the little details. 
• With over 4,500 artisans, you can find the perfect artisan for your needs. 

Benefits of LaborHack for Artisans

• Local and international certification opportunities
• Educational loans for Canada study plans
• Local and international job opportunities
• Soft skills training
• Timely payments for a job done
• Opportunity to earn higher and relate with a diverse clientele
• Health Insurance for you on the job

LaborHack vs Pukena: Compared

1. Hiring an artisan

Both LaborHack and Pukena have similar processes for hiring artisans. On LaborHack, you have to first enter the type of artisan you want to hire. Then proceed to describe the task you need to fix. You will also need to indicate the urgency and whether it is a recurring or a one-time task. 

Where necessary, you’ll need to set up an inspection date to enable LaborHack to assess the scope of work to be done. All of these can be completed in 2 minutes or less so there’s no delay. 

As a business, you’ll have to sign up on LaborHack and submit a request explaining the services you need before getting matched with an artisan. You can also monitor the status of your orders on the platform, so you know when your request has been processed. 

Pukena, on the other hand, has a direct request application for both businesses and individuals. To hire an artisan, you’ll have to enter the type of artisan you need. You’ll then be directed to fill a form highlighting the details of the job you need to fix and any other relevant information. 

During the application process, you are asked a series of questions that help Pukena accurately determine the scope of the job and the exact skill set needed. 

After your request, you’ll be required to pay a Finders fee of ₦2,000 within Lagos, which helps Pukena to prioritize your request and help find an artisan with the exact skillset you need. 

For large projects such as renovation, building, and construction, LaborHack and Pukena provide a project management team of artisans with the skillsets you need and a relevant project manager to ensure the project goes accordingly. 

2. Quality of service

The quality of service you receive on either of these platforms largely depends on the skill sets of their artisans. 

On LaborHack, artisans are skilled, vetted, and certified by local and international education bodies, empowering them to provide high-quality services. 

They also undergo a thorough vetting process which also includes guarantor, background, and address checks. These processes are aimed at evaluating their skill level and background, ensuring that you only work with highly skilled and well-vetted artisans.

If you encounter any issues with artisans or are unsatisfied with the job done, LaborHack Guarantee ensures that adjustments will be made at no further cost. 

On Pukena, artisans undergo screening and interviews to ascertain their skill level. They also conduct training for these artisans, thereby empowering them to offer high-quality services. 

During orientation, artisans on Pukena are introduced to the Pukena Quality Standards which require not just excellent technical workmanship, but good time management and communication, thereby ensuring that you’re working with skilled artisans.

3. Pricing

The pricing structures for both platforms are different. On LaborHack, prices are set based on the services provided. There are no hidden charges or extra fees to be paid. 

On Pukena, there are varying prices depending on your stage in the request process. There’s a finders fee of ₦2,000 to ensure your service request receives maximum attention. This Finder’s fee is not included in the quote you receive for the main job. 

Afterward, you receive a minimum of 3 quotes from various artisans on the job. All quotes are non-negotiable, therefore by selecting a Pro you are agreeing to pay the quoted amount.

For jobs that require materials, you will receive a quote that lists the cost of the job and the cost of materials. Quotes are monitored to ensure that customers receive accurate prices for materials. A downpayment for the cost of materials is required when you select your service provider.

For full-time workers like nannies and drivers, Pukena charges 30% of the first month’s salary as a matching fee, however, this cost is spread across a three-month probationary period and is only paid in full if the probationary period is concluded successfully. 

Each month, Pukena will send an invoice for the full-time Pro’s monthly salary + 10% service fee. Pukena will settle the salary payment with the Pro and retain its 10% each month for the 3 months. If the probationary period ends early, payments will be prorated up to the final day.

4. Trust and reliability

Both Pukena and LaborHack are set up to ensure you get high-quality services for your money. 

LaborHack recruits artisans both offline and online and offers them locally and internationally-recognized certification allowing them to work from anywhere in the world.

The international certificates are benchmarked against the UK Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB)

These certified artisans are then matched to service requests online. So you are not just getting premium service but trustworthy and reliable services too. 

When requesting a service, LaborHack requires that you indicate the urgency of the task and an inspection date & time that works for you. This ensures that they fully understand the context of the work you need to be done and deliver on time. 

They also provide insurance coverage for all certified artisans and clients so you can be more relaxed about the work to be done. And if you encounter any issues or have any complaints, there’s priority support for you. 

Pukena on the other hand recruits artisans both online and offline through partnerships with professional associations and training schools, recommendations, and direct outreach. These artisans undergo training and screening exercises to be fully equipped for the job. 

Artisans with serious misconduct are immediately removed from the system, while those who underperform are given three strikes before they are removed. As artisans build new skills on the job, it’s added to their profiles and shown to clients, thereby increasing their chances of earning more. 

When compared, both LaborHack and Pukena offer reliable services as they work with trained and vetted artisans. 

5. Operation model

Working with artisans on LaborHack is a 3-step approach; Request →Get matched to an artisan →Make payment

They have a thorough process that ensures they have a clear understanding of what you need and a pool of vetted, globally certified artisans to provide premium service. They make it easier for artisans to access gig jobs and earn more doing what they’re good at. 

In addition, they have a strict vetting process that meticulously evaluates artisans based on their skill level, experience, and portfolio. They also use identity verification software to vet artisans and collect details of their references and guarantors. 

For Pukena, artisans undergo a vetting and screening process. However, when clients make service requests, they are shown three different artisans and quotes. So you get to choose which artisan you want to work with and which quote you’re comfortable paying. 

When reviewing quotes from multiple professionals, you can visit each one’s profile to see more information about the ranking of their subskills, a gallery of their work, reviews by Pukena customers and outside references, as well as frequent questions they are asked. 

Additionally, you can rebook a pro you’ve previously worked with. When you rebook a Pro for the same service, the same rate applies. You will receive a confirmation SMS for the job once the Pro confirms their availability. 

Pukena also enables you to reward a pro for their good work. You can give them a rating, leave a review, score their time management and communication skills, and give a thumbs up on their relevant subskills. Rating and reviews help Pukena to manage artisans on its platform properly. 

6. Services Rendered

On Pukena, there are over 30 different artisan categories excluding other service worker categories. These categories showcase the various artisans available for hire. 

LaborHack, on the other hand, offers more robust options allowing them to cater to a variety of industries and businesses. This includes; 

• LaborHack for Construction
• LaborHack for Maintenance
• LaborHack for Facility Managers
• LaborHack for Installations. 

These options enable them to support a wide range of businesses, including; Construction businesses, Facility management companies, Offices, SMEs, and others. Meaning, whatever your category of business, there’s a LaborHack option for you. 

Additionally, there are 15 different artisan categories which are; Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Furniture Making, POP, Painting, Tiling, DSTV, Cleaning, Fumigation, Solar Technicians, Aluminium Workers, Welders, Carpentry, and Masons. 

Artisans are not left out as they receive various offerings from LaborHack including; 

• Locally and globally accepted certifications.
• Educational loans to support artisans who want to move abroad get into a school program.
• Local and international jobs to empower skilled workers to advance their careers. 
• Tool financing support

All of these combined, help ensure that artisans on LaborHack offer top-tier services. 

LaborHack vs Pukena: Pros and Cons

LaborHack and Pukena are ideal platforms to hire artisans. But which one should you work with? Let’s look at their pros and cons. 

Pros

LaborHack

• Find available artisans in your area on time
• All artisans are skilled and globally certified 
• You can set up inspection dates to properly assess the scope of work
• Artisans can work both locally and internationally
• You only receive a quote based on the scope of work assessed
• LaborHack Guarantee ensures that if you’re unsatisfied with a job, it’ll be completed to your satisfaction at no extra cost. There’s also insurance for artisans and clients
• Has an online marketplace where you can find all types of quality materials for your projects

Pukena

• Easily find artisans and service professionals to work with
• Offers an opportunity for clients to earn through its Affiliate Program
• Receive various artisan options for a task, giving you the freedom to choose who you want to work with.
• Premium support and project management for large-scale projects. 
• Artisans receive feedback and ratings from employers on their profile to increase employment opportunities. 

Cons

LaborHack

• Most services require a 24-hour notice
• Limited to Lagos alone

Pukena

• No dedicated service packages for businesses and large-scale organizations
• Artisans on Pukena have limited options and can only work locally
• Limited to Lagos alone

LaborHack vs Pukena: Where Can You Find The Best Artisans?

Both LaborHack and Pukena have thorough screening processes in place to ensure you work with the best artisans around you. However, their approach helps you decide which platform is best for you. 

On LaborHack you can request for services, get matched with an artisan, and get the job done immediately. Their suite of products for businesses and large-scale organizations ensures that businesses are also attended to. 

Additionally, artisans on their platform are locally and globally certified, giving them the freedom to work anywhere in the world. 

Pukena on the other hand, makes it easy to find artisans and service professionals around you. While they do not have specific solutions for businesses, you can still find an artisan by simply running a search on their platform. In addition, you’ll have to pay a finder’s fee of ₦2,000 before you are matched with an artisan or professional in time. 

Similar to LaborHack, artisans on Pukena are vetted and screened to ensure your safety. 

In general, the platform you work with largely depends on your budget, scope of work to be done, and plans. But to enjoy a more organized approach to working with artisans whether for businesses or individuals, LaborHack is a better option. Sign up and see for yourself. 

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