Inspiration
In many Nigerian communities, finding a reliable plumber, electrician, or technician can be frustrating. People often rely on word of mouth or unverified contacts, which leads to disappointment. SabiFix App was born from this challenge—to simplify how people connect with verified service professionals near them.
What It Does
SabiFix connects users with local artisans and technicians based on their location and service needs. Users can:
- Search for artisans by category or location
- View profiles, ratings, and availability
- Book and chat with artisans in real-time
How We Built It
We used React.js for the frontend and Node.js/Express for the backend. MongoDB serves as our database. We integrated the Google Maps API to help users find nearby artisans and used Twilio for phone verification and messaging.
Challenges We Ran Into
- Ensuring trust by verifying artisan credentials
- Integrating secure real-time chat functionality
- Creating a responsive and intuitive design under time constraints
What We Learned
- Handling geolocation data with precision
- Building real-time features with websockets
- Working with APIs like Twilio and Google Maps
- User-centered design in time-bound sprints
What's Next
- Launch mobile app versions (iOS & Android)
- Enable secure payments within the app
- Grow our artisan network and implement a referral program