A venue deposit is usually the largest single payment made early, and it is the hardest to undo. Before you sign anything, walk the space and ask these seven questions.
1. What is the real seated capacity?
Quoted capacities usually assume no stage, no dance floor, no buffet stations and no lounge. Ask for the seated figure with your actual floor plan overlaid. A hall sold as 700 often seats 450 comfortably once production is in.
2. What is the power situation?
Confirm generator capacity in KVA, whether changeover is automatic, whether diesel is included or billed, and who is responsible if it fails mid-event. Then ask what your decor and AV load will be, and check the numbers actually match.
3. What are the setup and breakdown windows?
If access starts at 6am for a 2pm event, a full installation is not possible. Ask for the previous night, and get the cost in writing.
4. Are vendors restricted?
- Is catering in-house only, or is there an outside-caterer levy?
- Is there a preferred-decorator list or a corkage charge on drinks?
- Are there penalties for bringing your own AV or lighting?
5. Is there a noise curfew?
Many venues on the Island and in Abuja's residential districts have hard music cut-offs, often 10pm or midnight. This decides your entire run-of-show, so establish it before you fix the programme.
6. Where do guests park, and how do they arrive?
Count actual parking bays, ask about valet and traffic marshals, and think about the route on your date. A Saturday afternoon event on the mainland with 300 cars needs a parking plan, not optimism.
7. What is not in the quote?
Ask directly for the full list: caution deposit, cleaning, security, VAT, air-conditioning charge, overtime rate per hour, generator fuel. Get one all-in figure in writing before you commit.
If you would like a second opinion on a space you are considering, send us the details — we do venue assessments as part of every planning engagement.