₦airaland Forum

EgunMogaji:
That last sentence wouldn't apply in my case.

I think the issue with most Nigerian "professionals" that I've ran across so far is the air of superiority they attempt to pass off. Maybe it's because I'm Americana/Londoner and they assume we are dunces over here but what there is nothing structural about a building plan that "I" cannot decipher. This is not my first rodeo.

We shouldn't treat ALL clients the same. Some clients like me are intuned while some are not. We should not carry along any client that doesn't want to be carried along. Any contractor that wants to carry me along should recognize my heft

I want to work hand in hand with my chosen artisans (as partners, it's my site - not as an owner but as THE General Contractor), not to be carried along.

EgunMogaji:
How about conversion or repurposing, has anyone done that in Nigeria?

Something like taking an old fire station or church and converting it into a residence.

customised87:
Hello...pls house is it a MUST to do german floor when building a bungalow on a dry land?

skimanski:
MAke Una no use Arthritis Derail this thread. Na una talk am say no Other topic. Infact no laff for this Thread on Serious issues. lol

Now my 2 kobo on this matter of Materials used in Nigerian Architecture. Like I always say, it depends on the balance between the client, the economy and contractor. i.e what the contractor has in store, what the Client is ready to accept and what the economy can favour.

1 THE ECONOMY
The Nigerian Economy isn't organized enough to enable a company that produces the wood they use in Building houses to stay and make profits. Hence me must import, there by increasing cost of Building with wood relatively. infact no business they make am, just say some business no get choice other than to stay. I'm even sure that the government will intentionally allow an unfavourable environment for these simple Building business Ideas so as to allow thoses their paddies that have cement Factory all over africa to continue making it.


2 THE CONTRACTOR
Some contractors are too based on how much they can make out of a project, and so if any process will slow that cash flow because they'll have to think extra, then its bye bye to such process. What i think is when contractors pick up a project. the first thing they should think of which is what I think of is how best can I make the house the finest and most creative around the environment and not bring a calculator out to calculate how best he can maximise his profit.

CLIENT
Some (Arsene Wenger Mr. BABA IJEBU) clients wants to build cheap house. Them want to use the cheapest labour. them wan use the cheapest professionals, them want the cheapest Architectural design, and the funny thing is them still want the finest Outcome. ahh thats not fair. We will never get a creative house from that. Not possible. How will some1 say he's looking for a tiller that will lay tiles for N200/m2.Make Una still dey sorry for all these workers, some get families ooo. (Oga 3strike, no Strike me oooooo. Na only example i dey make oooo no be u be Arsene Wenger oooo ).

Miscellaneous:
I'm tempted to ask, do u mean this is the dimension for say, the washroom? Like , are all the window sizes allowed to be of same dimensions? I thought those of washroom are smaller compared to living room……

skimanski:
Hmmm @ segcymoor u hit that nail for head. Unemployment oooo. Hunger go kill people for this one.

erico2k2:
I'm struggling to understand you a bit.But I shall try my best.there are basic tools of the trade and there are pro tool.things like cement mixers are basics cos they have three parts engine .drum and gear.the engine is same as ur generator.the gears has your usual cogs. So its meant to be same maintanance cost as the humble generator in this case same as I pass my neighbour. If I was a Co tractor I will buy one of these N150k will land one frm the UK. To rent it in a day is N10. U can mix concrete and cement for rendering aka plastering.mix mortem for laying of brick.I will like to emphasise here that using this 15 times in diff days pays of the over head cost..
Now let's go to soil compactor. Cost brand new £300.might cost £159 to ship.this is at brand new.so landng price say N180k. Rental in a day approx N8. 20 times of usage pays it off.Go to the concrete poker it's even cheaper £110.All these machine has btw 3.5 hp and 5.5 hp ho da Engines so they use same parts as yoy petrol generator.So just imagine if U can remove all these cost frm the bills of your clients would t they be happy?plus your work will be professional.

erico2k2:
No its not in Nigeria yet its actually made in the Uk by someone an ex builder who just woke up one morning and made it,Im glad it inspired you like you clearly said, its quite simple yet its impact on the work field is amazing.its cost of 3 sets is £25

alsudaes1:
nice job

please what is the dimension of the windows?

erico2k2:
Xcelent job going on here, well done.

EgunMogaji:
You're absolutely right about the codes.

I think this is why many folks in diaspora get had. They are used to a layer of security in having city code inspectors. We don't have that enforcement in Nigeria.

During a typical construction here you will get standard visit at specific intervals where they will come in and check the quality of the build.

Something as simple as pouring foundation slab will have (at least in my area) a city code inspector onsite to verify the concrete mix, the forms and steel work. If they forgot and didn't call for city inspection then the slab gets broken up and repaired.

They check electrical, plumbing, roofing, framing so no shortcuts and thus we can expect quality because it's not just the owner and builder but the government agency that is involved.

The Egbosa alleged leaning pillar and falling parapet would never occur at least in my area and I suspect in most US cities.

We'll get there but it won't be easy, it will be as a result of customers like me who demands quality and will pay for it within reason and builders like you that understand that things can be done better, faster

A lot of these tools are really cheap chinese stuff that should be easily importable into Nigeria.

Thanks for the compliment, I get upset when I'm dismissed off hand that I do some stuff because they are expensive over there. I do my stuff because I actually enjoy working withy hands. In the car talk section, when I used to visit, we have guys there that are doing their brake repairs, change oil, repair their cars, they go the hard way sometimes of ordering original parts from the US/Europe and doing the work themselves.

If you remember my building plan that I shared with you, there is a dedicated 20' X 19' (almost 400 square feet) of space for a 2 car garage. That space is non negotiable as it's the place that I'm the most happiest. The center piece will be the pictured, a four post lift on one side. I definitely should not need to work on cars when I retire to Nigeria but it is the core of what makes me, me

Thinking about it I might need to use hardcore under the garage floor.

EgunMogaji:
So this is part of the reason why a lot of us in diaspora gets into DIY. It's not because we're cheap or workers are expensive. It's partly because we have cheap access to quality tools and materials.

A perfect example is the blueprint for my build. I got tired of explaining my idea to architects, so I simply downloaded SketchUp and drew it out once and for all.

I have table saw, a commercial grade Ryobi, beveling miter saw, jigsaws, etc engine hoist, car ramps, engine stands, etc all professional grade stuff

EgunMogaji:
All I can tell you is that it works very well here and there's no reason that it can't work equally well in Nigeria. There's nothing like a single chip of computer in any of the ones that I've seen used and some are truck mounted. They normally use it over here to deliver shingles to rooftops. No experts needed - again Nigerian over thinking of simple stuff.

Hanger cranes is an over kill for a 3 story structure. It doesn't have to be a straight shot to the 3rd floor from ground zero, you can offload on each floor as you build upwards.

Clients, at least like me, will gladly rewards any company that reduces manual labour in it's operations. I literarily cry whenever I see the old women fetching water at construction sites.

I think we need more automation and the use of advance equipment in building construction.

Most of our rise building ( two floors and above) are poorly built structurally mainly due to poor batching of concrete. The average C20 or C25 concrete end up having much less strength due to poor handling of constituent aggregates and water quantity.

Almost all the raft slab, floor slab, beam work I have seen here on nairaland are either poorly reinforced ( not following standard detailing procedure in placement of steel work) or poorly batched and placed concrete.

I am of the opinion that better concrete batching techniques is needed to reduce the incident of poorly placed concrete, and also contractors and building proportionals need better understanding of structural detailing and analysis of structural members

It will work if you want it to work and it won't if you don't want it to

erico2k2:
I saw this direct lift crane, less than N50K in today's money to buy.

EgunMogaji:
Just over $200 but for someone of your caliber you are better off shopping for used more professional ones in steel casing.

erico2k2:
Plz see the two cranes I posted both less than 50k to buy minus shipment in the Uk,the first one has 1000KG capacity, the 2nd one has 1500KG capacity,one bag of cement is 50KG,so can lift 10 bags in one go.Does this answer any of you suspicions?

EgunMogaji:
So I intend to start by changing my little slice of heaven in Ibadan.

I'll make sure that every artisan that I work with leaves with new knowledge and tools.

As an example I am shipping for a laser leveler that I will use on my property. I wouldn't mind giving it away after I'm down with it in the hopes that it will help someone elevate his skill set.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-line-Rotary-Laser-Beam-Self-Leveling-Interior-Exterior-Kit-W-Tripod-warranty-A-/281681933696?hash=item41958d3580

erico2k2:
I take it you have heard of plaster boards?

EgunMogaji:
That's what reforestation is all about.

You plant to replace what you cut. Yes it will take years for trees to mature but do you know how dangerous cement is to the human body?

Whenever I see pictures of workers schleping about in raw concrete sometimes bare footed and you know they'll have open cuts from working on a construction zone and breathing in all the silica dust, I cringe (yeah mother of all run on sentences )

The modern idea is to use the least amount of concrete as possible in construction.

"Cement comprises 7 to 15 percent of total concrete volume. As an alkaline material, wet cement is caustic, and can cause severe chemical burns to exposed skin and eyes. Thus, working with fresh concrete presents an obvious risk. That’s why it’s so important to always wear water-proof gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, full-length trousers, and proper eye protection. If you have to stand in wet concrete, use water-proof boots that are high enough to keep concrete from flowing into them. Wash wet concrete, mortar, cement, or cement mixtures from your skin immediately. Flush eyes with clean water immediately after contact. Indirect contact through clothing can be as serious as direct contact, so promptly rinse out wet concrete, mortar, cement or cement mixtures from clothing. And always seek immediate medical attention if you have persistent or severe discomfort.

In addition to the caustic nature of cement, 95 percent of cement particles are smaller than 45 µm.—compared to tobacco smoke of approximately 3 µm—suggesting that the danger of inhalation is possible. Workers opening bags or sacks of cement and cement products should always wear a dust mask in addition to their regular safety attire."

EgunMogaji:
Very good looking because you won't see it

https://www.magdrywall.com/upload/MS2.jpg

https://bethepro.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/benefits-metal-steel-studs-house2.jpg

Very easy to work with, easier than wood, IMHO.

No RUST, no ROT, no TERMITE, lasts FOREVER.

They have them in 2X2, 2X4 and 2X6.

https://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/135970939_3/Steel_Stud_Track.jpg

petikal:
So many benefits of building with steel and drywall, and when you do find out the cost for materials and installation, please do let us know!

petikal:
OK, here's a question.

Why don't we build with treated/insulated hardwood in Nigeria? You know, a house where the exterior walls can be blocks/concrete, but the interior/room dividers would be wood? Think of the freedom and cost-reduction in running electrical wires/pipes, plumbing, and even future reconstruction/expansion.

My high school in Abia built in 1929 has residential buildings built entirely of wood, and some still look good!

TLAX:
Okay Gotcha. Thanks. Does any one in the house know the reason for this?

meetmonde:
how big is 50/40 piece of land and what kind of structure can be developed on it and at what estimate cost please.. anyone with idea should help me out please.. thanks and God bless in advance

meetmonde:
how big is 50/40 piece of land and what kind of structure can be developed on it and at what estimate cost please.. anyone with idea should help me out please.. thanks and God bless in advance

Slaw12:
A nice thread...
How much can build and complete a four bedroom bungalow with all room ensuit and with a normal and moderate finishing on a dry land in ibadan...tganks

solreb:
My Ogas, I always enjoy reading your threads and the learning I get from building projects. I will like if you will indicate BOQ costs similar to the 3-bed u built in PH earlier this year. I am working on proposals for low-cost mass housing units for oyigbo ph and umuahia port Harcourt. There will be flexible payment plans over 2 years. We want to make it as cheap as possible. In that regard, what will the following cost at both places with similar designs as building above a. 2-bed detached bungalow b. 3-bed ditto c. 2-bed semi detached bungalow d. 3-bed ditto. ThanksThanks you can reach me on. 07089996950 WhatsApp and call.