Fellow Nairalanders,

In response to many discussions taking place in other threads concerning the real cost of building materials, labour, quality of buidling and construction materials, and the rampant case of duping / ripping- off of unsuspecting Nigerians, especially those that reside overseas, I have decided to give us the background of building materials and the necessary changes that may help all building enthusiats and businessmen and women.

Building Materials and construction material has seen transformation with the passage of time. From clay, sand to more sophisticated building material that includes cement etc, the building material industry is growing swiftly. But the basic building material for making the structure of the house remains the same. Cement is the most extensively used building material in Nigeria and most of the houses built depend on it.

Now depending upon the location, weather and temperature the use and type of building material and construction style changes. The most common types of construction material include cement, sand, wood, gypsum, mortar, sand, gravel, fixers etc. Besides this, under building materials there are many categories that are covered. These are:
Concrete, Cement
Masonry
Electrical
Builders Hardware
Lumber
Ladder
Roofing and Gutter
Fencing
Stair Parts
Plumbing
Heating and Cooling

For each category there are many options as these building materials comes under different brand names, prices and categories. Like for Cement and Concrete you need concrete tool, mixes, repair tool, fast setting tool, sealers, glass blocks etc. Along with this bricks, gypsum, concrete blocks, sand and gravel, concrete-roofing tiles etc are also covered under building material.

Building material rates depend on the quality of product taken and amount of it. The price also vary with the brand name. There are many building material suppliers in Nigeria who are masters in this field of construction and keep almost all the required building material. Specific product can also be bought from the local building material supplier of your area or town. If you are constructing your home or remodeling it, then better to buy building materials from wholesalers as price are comparatively lower than the retailers.

I am proposing that all building and construction materials businesses in Nigeria should have a website or link to a website that can be used to calculate the amount and price of building materials. This will be very helpful to all Nigerians, especially those living abroad. The issue of duping and ripping off will be checked to a reasonable level.

Alternatively, the building industry associations or marketing groups can team up to have a website where members and marketers can advertize and use the medium to reach customers beyond the Nigerian shores. Building Material companies should also list in their website, the building material testing companies and agencies in Nigeria. 

Nairalanders please contribute to this thread and lobby for the necessary changes in the Nigerian building industry.