amanikondo:

I thought you were busy gathering all the kobo kobo in America that the Americans do not need .

allCopacetic :


A nairalander once contacted me for cables and i noticed there werent any earthing cables on his list. I drew his attention to it and he said his electrician said it wasnt necessary since a lightning protection system will be installed. I was shocked.

the Lightning protection system and the electrical supply earthing or grounding system are two different entities that serve very different purposes and should never be interconnected.

It is very very dangerous to ground your power points via the same system as your lightning arrestor. you're creating a possible return path for the charge into your building

danowena:

From the above, one person says it is okay to connect the lightning arrestor serially with the earthing electrodes.
Another is saying there should never be any connection between the two.

So who do I believe?

I ask because my electrician connected the earthing of the house to the grounding of the lightning arrestor. But another electrician is screaming that it is dangerous and that it should never be done.

cc: allcopacetic, topsy23,youngice, glcnigeria,

Hopes of cheaper construction cost and land ownership for prospective property developers may still be a pipe dream going by fresh increase in land survey fees in Lagos area by the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS).

The increase by Lagos chapter of the institution, which may act as a test bed for professional scale of fees in the built environment sector has ruffled feathers in the housing industry. Other professional bodies are watching how events will unfold, while experts and private developers foresee increase in lands and housing cost.

The chapter had raised the land survey plan fees by over 300 per cent, starting from April 1. The fees cut across different zones of the state. For instance, Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry Ojo and Ajeromi Ifelodun local government that is currently N120, 000 it has been increased to N350, 000.


While Lagos Island, Eti- Osa, Ikeja and Papa, which is presently N300, 000 now is going for N1million. Somolu, Alimoso, Mushin, Agege, Ibeju Lekki, Kosofe, Lagos Mainland, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, formerly pegged at N180, 000 has been hiked to N650, 000.
Some housing professionals that spoke to The Guardian criticised the move, saying it would also make prospective homeowners to cut corners and increase the cost of procurement of land documents.

President, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Dr. Bolarinde Patunola-Ajayi said that the development will make few people to invest in property as the new rate is higher than the cost of buying land in some locations.NIESV president, who dismissed call for the institution to increase its scale of fees, noted that such development would have dire consequence for the housing industry.

For the Second vice president, Nigerian Institute of Building, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, said that the institution is justified in increasing its fees as inflation has affected members of the built environment professionals. He disclosed that such fees will be pass on to the would-be subscribers of houses or landed property.

But, property developers under the aegis of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) are not allowing the matter to lie low. REDAN has engaged the services of a law firm and threatened to go court.

In a letter to the surveyors, counsel to REDAN, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, asked the surveyors to suspend the implementation of the proposed increment, in order to give room for further interaction and dialogue, with all stakeholders in the building industry.

REDAN also made a case that the increment will have a ripple effect on the cost of land as other professionals involved in the real estate business such as lawyers, architects, engineers, and town planners will also increase the cost of their own services, which will all be borne by the end users. “It will also rubbish the efforts of government towards achieving affordable housing.”

REDAN therefore appealed to the surveyors to convey a meeting of all stakeholders in order to discuss and agree on the best modality for any review of professional fees in land related matters.

Adegboruwa however warned that REDAN will challenge the proposed increment in court, should the surveyors insist on implementing the policy as stated.The letter read: “Our clients consider it improper to increase the cost of survey plans at this time of economic recession, especially considering the ripple effect that such a step may have on other stakeholders within the built industry, such as architects, engineers and lawyers, etc, who are also members of their association.

“The planned increment will also impact negatively on the policy of affordable housing being promoted by the present administration at all levels. Our clients have also consulted the various statutes regulating this matter and they are yet to be convinced of the legal basis of this increment at this time.

Consequently, we have our clients’ instructions to request you to kindly prevail on your organisation and its members to suspend the implementation of this policy and to allow for further interactions, dialogue and discussions, between all the relevant stakeholders in the real estate business.

“ In compliance with statutory requirement to explore alternative dispute resolution mechanism, kindly indicate to us in writing within five clear days of your receipt of this letter, of your kind disposition towards the meeting suggested herein, failing which we have our clients’ further instructions to take out a writ of summons in court to determine the legality of such increment, to take out an order of injunction to restrain the implementation thereof and to determine other ancillary legal issues,” they added.

The Guardian learnt that the new increase is supposed to be approved by the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), but the NIS and SURCON have been in a showdown over allegation and counter allegation bothering on induction of new members.Recently, the Surveyor General of the Federation, Prof Peter Nwilo accused the NIS President of trying to create a serious division in the profession of surveying.

Nwilo referred to the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, CAP 425 adding that according to the law, even the minister can give instructions of general nature. The profession of Surveying is regulated by the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), set up and empowered by CAP 425, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Efforts to get the NIS Lagos chairman, Mr. Alara Olugbenga comment proved abortive. The Executive Secretary of the national body, could not respond to several calls and emails on issues raised on the matter.

rabcnesbit:
My peoples, from what I can gather, it would appear Nigerian aluminum profile for windows is costlier but apparently better than imported ones! There appear to be various types mainly Tower economy, Tower standard, Tower quality, and one also called EBM. What are your opinions regarding these - which should I go for in terms of balancing value for money and durability? Many thanks

Daboomb:
I hope everyone noticed this "good news"!?



You see what SHEER GREED is causing in our society?
Sellers of everyday items are yet to reverse the geometrical increase they imposed in the last six months, citing "dollar increase",... now that dollar has fallen!
No one gives a darn about who he/she hurts down the line.

rabcnesbit:


My people, nobody has any advice to give? Also, which one is Tower Decor, just got a quote from somebody for this? Thank you

oyb:


Tower aluminum has a website where you can get the info and contact information of their sales guys. No need for a go between.

EgunMogaji:


No no no.

First, he needs a site inspection by a licensed structural engineer who will do some calculations.

Then a licensed architect needs to review the plans based on suggestions set forth therein by the structural engineer.

Then a licensed iron bender with a metallurgist degree from anywhere except that school that Dino attended should create the requisite iron works.

Then a licensed carpenter should select woof of the finest structural grain to make concrete forms.

Then a licensed builder needs to do the aforementioned work as prescribed by the architect

But the concrete mix should be inspected by a state laboratory to ensure strength before pouring.

Above all, all this must be supervised by a professional site inspector that is also licensed.

Anything other than this and the OP is just wasting his money and shouldn't be cheap and he won't get ripped off by quacks. You know we just hate when people share their stories on here when they get taken.

Nigerians and their shortcuts

rabcnesbit:


Did check their website; the first thing I did, but the site did not have much info (if any at all) about the different aluminum profiles for windows!

Marpol:


How much for 90ton to Sagamu?

rabcnesbit:


Hi, just quickly, so what do you think of this malina (or is it melina) wood? He claims it's the best in quality? Thanks

Marilo:


Those prices, are they product of market survey or they are the prices you sell them (if you sell those materials)?. It is good to have an idea of the prices but it is more important you link the prices to the sellers/markets (specifics) where they can be purchased at those prices.

Chekitaut:
Those prices not all are realistic Whoever follow is only will be rip off of quantity or quality. Lets see testimonies from customers.pictures of loading.

Mayor78:

Malina is a cheapwood and performs very badly against termites and other wood insects even after wood treatment. I have previously had very bad experience with malina, termites finished my roof woodwork, doors and door frames. I wouldnt say of using its performance on other furnitures but for door, door frames, or roofing especially in termmite or wood ant infested areas, it's no.no no for me. Decision yours though.

oyb:


NIGERIA
TOWER ALUMINIUM NIG. PLC,
9,Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.
Telephone : +234 (0) 8171229683
Telephone : +234 (0) 7017333169
Available Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Email : info@towerplc.com

http://www.towerplc.com/towerroofings/long_span_roofing_sheet.pdf

rabcnesbit:


Ahh! Thank you for the advice. Unfortunately came too late. I have already paid them and the wood has been delivered!

rabcnesbit:

Ahh! Thank you for the advice. Unfortunately came too late. I have already paid them and the wood has been delivered!

skimanski:



Bros if you can add extra cash for them to come and take the wood away and bring Proper wood. It would save you a Lot of headache oo. Have been in malina Trouble oo in the past. Trust me, you need to run for that wood.

EgunMogaji:


cc: rabcnesbit

Oga Skimanski, is there any way at all that he can do something with the wood being already onsite? Can he add chemical treatment?

OP, if I were you and just in case you don't know, I would listen to Skimanski. He's the definition of "walk quietly but carries a big stick" in the industry.

erico2k2:

Some of them went to China when market the Dollar was 500 what do you want them ones to do sell at 400 rate? Who is going to bridge the difference ? ?

mufutau55:


Please listen to those two guys.. that is why you are in Nairaland; to learn.

Hajji M.

HazzanTazzan:


I actually priced the tiles already and told him the sizes for each areas of the house ...

But the quantity quoted still seem outrageous ...

The pics below were taken when I went to price the tiles in January...

1. Bedroom, kitchen and toilet floor - 65sqm
2. Toilet and kitchen walls - 79sqm
3. Sitting room, presit, dinning and bar floor - 78sqm
4. Outside wall - 23sqm

Kindly help me estimate the quantity so I can see how much difference it is ...
That estimate dey scare me o

InvertedHammer:


/
I don't understand why adults would want to be spoonfed. You have an area to be covered with tiles. Grab a tape, take measurements and convert. If the conversion seems tedious, go to google, put in the data and get the result.

Is this rocket science?

The guy that gave you the quotation is probably out for blood and you appear to be helpless in the situation. Why make simple things complicated?

Eg: length : 40ft. Width: 18ft.
I put in 40feet x 18ft on google and it gave me 66.89 sq.meters.
A carton of tiles tells how many sq.m or sq.ft it contains. Divide your total Area with the number of sq.m or sq.ft in a carton and bingo!

There you have it.
\

NL1960:


Gbam. Nothing more to add.

When i wanted to do POP for my build, i told the POP guy to go and measure and give me a quote. He went there and came back with 96 sq.meters. I just told my brother to chase him away with a cutlass because i had earlier measured the area by myself for tiles and put it on google and it gave me 76 sq.meters. The other POP guy that went there measured and came back with 74 sq.meters and he got the job and did a wonderful job. Technology and google has helped in most of these things.

Daboomb:


The 'converse' (flip-side) of this theory is: Did they wait to sell-off all their wares that were bought when Dollar was #250, at the old price (when Dollar rose to #500).... or they jerked-up the price IMMEDIATELY so they can make maximum benefit?

if the answer is that they jerked-up the price immediately, l will suggest that they sue the "profit" of then, to bridge the difference now.

Source the Geese, ..Source the Gander!
It is not only the buyer that should always be at the losing end, all the time.

mavverick:
Fully second this.
I wrote this before, but I went around with my tiler measuring everywhere and put this on Excel, Length / Breath / Unit cost per SQM. This is how I arrived at the total sqm/total cost and also the basis of payment.

Despite most moves, you may still get cheated a little but the goal is to keep it to bare minimum. Also you can validate pop/tiling, there should not be too much differences, also sometimes iregular shaped rooms for example living room, they measure in such a way that they add a lot to it, so what i did is that we measured it in 3 parts, hallway, living room and dining, then add it all up.

Interlocking size = ((Measure plot) - (Size of building + Size of fixed structures such as soakaway/security house /tank stand + chambers ))

rabcnesbit:

It is not that I am not listening, it's just the wood is already on site and paid for, and the carpenters are about to start cutting it. The advice, which I am thankful for, unfortunately, came slightly too late

NL1960:

I believe the attached excel sheet from my project can guide somebody.

mufutau55:


I do this for all my activities too.... that is why we are here, to learn. Simple.

Hajji M.

diordaves:
I lifted below pix from akeembussy thread. The photos explain in part why there's a dearth of straight regular sized wood. Sawmilling in Nigeria is an all comers affair with wrong tools and machinery. The thread says the wood is idi agbon, coconut tree, that it's very good for roofing resistant to termites. How true? Because I know the palm tree of which the coconut tree is a family is home to the edible maggot right?