Three offers have come in for your two-bedroom move. One driver accepted your price. Another countered a little higher. A third countered with a different pickup time. You have a few minutes before you must decide, and you want to know who you are letting into your home.
This post explains what happens on the driver side before any offer reaches you, and what you should still check yourself. Approval is a starting point. It does not replace your own sense on the day.
What a driver submits before taking jobs
On Sphere, a driver cannot simply download the driver app and start receiving requests. Before taking any job, a driver submits:
- their driving licence
- an ID
- the details of the vehicle they will use
That information goes through an approval step first. Only approved drivers can see nearby requests and send offers. If a driver has not been approved, they do not appear on your screen.
We built it this way because a bulk move is not a bulk goods drop. A stranger is going to stand in your living room, handle your wardrobe and drive away with most of what you own. The approval step is there so that the person making that trip has at least shown who they are and what they drive.
What approval does not tell you
Be honest with yourself about the limits. Approval means documents were submitted and reviewed. It does not tell you how careful a driver is with a glass cabinet, how well they know your route, or whether their truck suits your particular load.
So treat the approval as the floor, then do the rest of the work with the offer in front of you.
Checks to make before you accept an offer
Does the vehicle match the load?
Look at the vehicle type on the offer. A pickup van is often enough for a self-contain or a small flat. A full house with a fridge, a wardrobe and a sofa set usually needs a truck. If you are unsure, our guide on choosing the right truck size walks through it.
Does the offer match what you asked for?
Read the pickup address, drop-off address, date and time on the offer. If the driver countered with a different time, decide whether that works for your gate, your lift or your landlord before you accept.
Have you agreed the loading help?
Do not assume anyone will carry your furniture down three flights of stairs. Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept an offer. Say clearly who carries what, whether helpers are coming, and whether the driver will lift heavy items such as a freezer.
Do you know the access problems?
Tell the driver about the estate gate, the narrow street, the stairs or the long carry. Surprises on arrival are what turn a good offer into an argument. Our post on getting past the estate gate covers what to sort out before the truck leaves.
Ready to move?
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
Checks to make when the driver arrives
Approval happens in the app. The rest happens at your door. When the truck arrives:
- Confirm the driver and the vehicle are the ones you accepted in the app.
- Walk the driver through the load and point out fragile items.
- Take photos of valuable or breakable items before loading.
- Keep your own valuables, documents, jewellery and cash with you, not on the truck.
- Do a last walk through every room before the driver leaves.
None of this is distrust. Good drivers appreciate a customer who is organised, because it makes the job shorter.
Choosing between offers
When several offers come in, do not only look at the number. Compare the vehicle, the proposed time, and whether the driver has understood your description. A driver who asks a sensible question about your stairs or your gate is usually thinking about the job properly. Our explanation of how pricing works on Sphere shows how your proposed price and the counter-offers fit together.
How to do this on Sphere
- Open the customer app and choose a truck or pickup van.
- Add the pickup and drop-off, describe the whole load, and propose your price.
- Mention access issues and the help you need with loading.
- Review the accepts and counter-offers that come in from approved drivers.
- Message the driver to confirm details, then accept the offer that fits.
You can start from the Lagos page or download the customer app at the link on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Do all drivers on Sphere go through approval?
Drivers submit their licence, ID and vehicle details for approval before they can take jobs. Only drivers who have gone through that step can send you offers.
Does approval mean the driver will handle my items perfectly?
No. It shows that documents were submitted and reviewed. Your own checks, clear instructions and photos of valuable items still matter.
Should I agree loading help before accepting?
Yes. Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept an offer, so nobody is surprised at the door.
Can I accept a counter-offer instead of the first offer?
Yes. You choose which offer to take, whether it is an accept of your price or a counter-offer.
What should I keep with me during the move?
Keep documents, jewellery, cash, laptops and anything irreplaceable with you, in your own car or on you.
Request your move
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
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