₦airaland Forum

Abudu2000:
shut up there, don't u ever try to undercut curing process. I sound angry but i had to coz curing has resulted in so many dealths and its still causing more because many want to by pass the process by maybe increasing the mix ratio

Please make use of the internet about this subject matter to clear your doubts.

n3xt:
Hmmm! Here’s my statement again “Improper curing is one of the major reasons for concrete failures in columns, beams, slabs ...”
That’s not generalization. It’s actually one of the major reasons.

Here’s what I’ve recently observed in the field of construction, especially the unregulated ones like we have in Nigeria which is why I made mention of all the Construction/Building Regulatory Bodies in my earlier post, things largely defers from what should be done and what is being done generally. So my answer would infer from what should be done (acceptable standard) and the best practices.

In a standard construction, how many days should it actually take to cast slab after column?

The answer for it is “the concrete should only be subjected to loading after 28 days or it attains its full strength.”

So if we are to keep formwork intact for 28 days while awaiting the concrete to attain its full strength, how then can we deliver a fully furnished house within 30 - 45 days? Crazy scheduling, I guess!


____________
The industry standard

Beams, girders, or slabs supported by columns or walls shall not be cast or erected until concrete in the vertical support members is no longer plastic.

Crazy Scheduling........Indeed.
We are thankful that while trying to meet client's needs within this 30-45 days project in an unregulated industry the job being done is within the acceptable limits for habitation by man.

kingzsoul:
Good evening house. I asked about how possible will 1million fly for raft foundation for a 2bedroom apartment with a penthouse. but got a very few response. I've increased my budget to 1.5m. Please can it still fly?

It would be better to take a look at the design plan before one can give a quote.
But since we're basing our decision on budgets, add an extra #300 to your upgrade just to be safe.

davodyguy:
It is well.

Once there's vaccine for COVID-19, things should get better.
The carpenter first billed me ₦150,000 to set up scaffolding. I asked him again: Baba sey ₦150 or 150k? Cos I was upset.

I think I ended up paying him ₦50,000.

The ₦650,000 isn't bad. But with the economic condition now and Labourers hardly getting jobs as they're pre COVID-19, I should be able to get it lesser, my thoughts though.

I intend starting on Monday, 12th October with external part First.

I ordered finishing materials, which are yet to arrive Nigeria, since June that includes Kitchen hood, table top Gas stove, lightings and switches, Distribution Boards etc. Hence, we can't do internal plastering for now

There's an existing vaccine of the bold already in Nigeria but most of us are waiting for WHO vaccine. Covid-19 is just an extra illness that affects aged people having symptoms of other underlying diseases.

EgunMogaji2:
Technology is the way.

Also is proper scheduling of the correct artisans on site.

My current crew of masons prefers to sleep on site and they work sometimes till early hours of the morning including Sunday’s. In the past I’ve had crews that maintain banking hours

Bold 1 is the way to go.
Bold 2 a touch of project management.
Bold 3 as long as they have sufficient rest/sleeping time I can allow that. As a person i'm good with 3 hours of sleep/day.

I have 2 masons who resume work to site by 6am-5pm especially when there's block work to be done at the site.

n3xt:
Hmmm! This is valid but...



In as much as the industry do not care so much about enforcing best practices and investors/homeowners do not have x-ray vision to know the difference between a versatile and a cowboy engineer-contractor. I think it’s safe to say construction work shouldn’t be rushed

Why?

The following are loads acting on the beams/slabs:

1. Self weight
2. Construction load
3. Weight of upper floor (from props)

For most developers, they play with spans of the slab to achieve fast projects (that’s why you see them build compact houses). When the span get larger, the self weight portion will start governing and this will require higher number of days of propping for the concrete to achieve maximum strength.

Propping might fix slabs and other horizontal structural members but what happens to the most victimized vertical member (the column) if it did not attain maximum strength before imposing loads.
Improper curing is one of the major reasons for concrete failures in columns, beams, slabs and a major cause of visible cracks in most house.

So instead of making people to assume it’s safe to build a house within 30 days, I think professional builders should caution homeowners and investors who want to tow that path to allow more time for their project.

______
LASBCA/LSMTL cares so much about cube tests which is fine but doesn’t guarantee safe construction if the builder failed to consider the significance of concrete curing for the durability of the structure.

______
Unfortunately all the association and bodies that are supposed to enforce best practices only care about generating revenue from stamping and affixing seals on drawings. They don’t care about what happen on project site. ARCON, COREN, NIOB, NIA, etc.

Yet we blame SARS

As regards the bold 1 for effective curing the form work holding the columns needs still be intact with appropriate bracket/braces holding it at intervals/sections.


With regards to bold 2&3....I think it would not be fair to generalize that improper curing is a major reason/cause.................I believe for failure or cracks to appear on concrete it takes about 3 other elements to be of low quality/standard being used before such will occur.

Chekitaut:
Curing process. Oga no toy with am ooo. When you are not doing a precast structure.

There are addictives that will aid the curing process and you'll still achieve a better result.

n3xt:
I actually did 2 building within 30 days but focused on 1 when we got to first floor slab level.

It’s more like a prefab construction as almost every component needed were already on ground.

Most developers don’t spend more than 6 weeks on their builds but it’s not the BEST.

What limitations do the industry have against the bolded......

n3xt:
I think 45 days is more like it. I tried 30 but the speed was tooo much.
We’ve finished plastering before roofing the house
Even the POP guys have started screeding before we roof. I had to use aluminum parapet.

It was a crazy approach.

The client was under pressure to vacate his former house and we had to deliver the new build within 30 days.

Built environment does not have boundaries or restrictions as long as the engineer-contractor is versatile in thoughts and approach to job.

rotecch77:
Hmm with finishings ?

Yes, 45 days it can be done.

To keep your mind at rest.
Finishing and inclusive of landscaping let's keep it at 60 days.

EgunMogaji2:
I’ve proven to myself, that I can build a 4 bedroom bungalow in 30 days flat.

Here are the disclaimers :

1) Reasonable soil

2 Totals funds in escrow

3) Weather

I think bold 2 is the only parameter that can make it a reality .1&2 are not actual disclaimers.

Chekitaut:
4bed room Bungalow, can be done in 3weeks, am talking of duplex & Terrace structure.

Im taking a case from Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah. Lots of properties without no occupants in it.

Only build & sell makes crazy profit(not 30% in a month as the op said) but it takes long to get buyer, many developer is killing the industries. You see substandard structure built here & there,

Multi million structure of lekki garden structure put down because it lacks integrity test. Likewise so many others,

I think a simple duplex/terrace structure can be done within 30 days but I'll just keep it at 45 days. Rates for labour may not necessarily be the standard used.

[quote author=Chekitaut post=94724592]@sam1919

The question that should come to your mind is
1. Are peoqple really buying houses?
2. Are people actually renting?
3. How long will it take to build one
4[b]. What is the financial implications of a house.[/b]

These days we see lots of empty houses everywhere, we see lots of advert of houses for sale, 3bedroom duplex or terrace@₦40-50m, rent is ₦2.5m-3m/annum

A building cannot be completed within a month.


Bold 1&2=YES
Bold 4=Depends on client's taste.
Bold 3 and last quoted question= For starters a 3,4 ,5,6 bedroom bungalow building can be finished completely within 30 days if funds are available.

kingzsoul:
Hello house. Please can 1m be enough to do raft foundation for 2bedroom ?

I hope this raft for this 2 bedroom is going vertical(GF+1 or 2)............

Except you've done the main building and probably this 2 bedroom is just for those who help with domestic work in the house.

temi4fash:
Oga me,

See below as requested

Well like I said the sin of your engineer was not abiding to your instruction.
Nevertheless if I were him I would have added 1 more course(block) to that before running the oversite concrete.
Due to my terrain and certain other factors I try to do a minimum of 4 course off the natural ground level to mitigate capillary action.

If you have 3/8 (coarse sand) at your area and depending on it's price difference to granite, you can lay your DPM and do a rich concrete mix adding water seal cement to the mixture.
You can determine the thickness to do since you'll still do screeding on the floor at the time you intend to lay tiles.


Also remember the advice n3xt or lastpage gave regarding the exterior of the build.

Good luck on your build.

temi4fash:
Thank you very much for your advise

We would be adding the DPM and do another flooring on it.

God bless for the insights

It's quite unfortunate that your engineer did not keep to your instruction when you insisted.

Nevertheless I just want to know what's the height of your DPC to the natural ground or if possible you can post a pix of it........
Thanks.

JWTheocracy1:
Good morning great engineers in this thread. I have a question because I'm lost by the pace I'm told materials is finished.

What's the normal ratio a bag of cement with sand and granite in ground flooring? It seems there is something fishy about who is handling supervision of my site.

Well I would say everyone is conversant with 1:2:4 for general purpose concrete works.
What you should tell us is what ratio is the person handling your work using for the ground flooring ?

shewefad:
What can one do with half a plot?

You can do a 4 bedroom duplex, 3 bedroom, etc, etc......all depends on your thoughts.

n3xt:
No ma. I actually used C35 Concrete Grade (1:1.5:2.5 Cement/Sand/Aggregate)

Beam Depth: 500mm
Span: 5400mm
Column Width: 450mm
Column Height: 2550mm

The question GoodFaith is supposed to ask is the reason for using this mix rather than the regular known mix generally used by workmen



I once did a job with this mix for a culvert running 2 sides of a 3 plot of land though the client insisted I use it for his job and he was always around to monitor it. The boys who did the casting job were very happy at the end of the project.

adanny01:
I support Buhari on relegation of the road. We have far more important roads to build than spend money that will encourage the diversion of imports destined for Nigeria to that country. Besides, the road is targeted by ECOWAS.

Its like government shooting itself in the foot.

I traveled on the Abuja-Kaduna express yesterday, the finished section is like silk. Anyways, I believe that road is more important than the Badagry Road. Cost is another issue. Yes, North gets more roads but do you know why? There's only one reason, it is far cheaper to build a road in the north than the south and the roads in the North last longer too.

If the North and South were allocated ₦100billion each for roads, the north will get close to twice the distance using same amount.

Not only cheap because of terrain but there's no such thing as matching ground/settlement in the north from community youths and chiefs to the best of my knowledge........

valencia2012:
Following the successful mission to my village site by Michlins and our extensive WhatsApp chats, there are two factors that would determine the kickoff of the job.
1. Quotations
2. Re-scheduled date/approval of my vacation.
While I prefer to be on ground for the job, I could initiate the preliminary stages as soon as the above factors are done with.
Kudos too to Michlins whose dedication and commitment to what he does best made his PR look like a child's play.
The pics as shown in 1,2,3 are part of our chats so far.
I'll keep trending as we proceed.

Nice one.
We all pray and hope michlins can meet up your expectation and the expectation of the wonderful forum so that his business can grow beyound what it is now.
If I may ask please what materials will he be using for yours that will last.......

Thanks.


I like the second pix......to be used for window burglary.

BankOfCalabar:
https://paradisenews.ng/55940/what-you-dont-know-about-the-cross-river-garment-factory

A good development. The most important thing is that it remains sustainable by any means necessary and possibly self sufficient on the long term basis.
If only respective State governors will spring up MSMEs to grow their respective IGR and engage the unemployed through various resource business programs, outfits/outlets there will there will be minimal interest in getting allocation from even the FG.

BrabusNG:
The same thing happened to one of my former landlord. It was as if the kids were waiting for the man to die.

They were just selling everything sellable after his death.

Hmmm such a wonderful family.
One of my cousins wanted to sell one of the property his late dad willed to him in Port Harcourt because he was resident in Calabar. Well according to him his father appeared to him in the dream and told him if he tries selling it that he will die and he should also warn his siblings too.
Lucky enough the buildings have been put for rental purposes and no one is complaining.

rotecch77:
They have fantastic doors, here are some of there products.

Tomb up bro for bringing this here

Almost same as those guys I mentioned earlier

Are these doors really bullet proof?
How does one actually know that a door is bullet proof apart from trying to test it with a gun?

I once had a discussion some years back with a foreigner who told me if a bullet proof door does not come with a certificate backing it's proof(yness) then it's not bullet proof but just a grade of armoured door.


Is there any contrary view?

bebe2:
am not happy with the 3WC in my plan, i think its an overkill. how can you be renting a 2 bedroom flat
for 300k and be looking for masters ensuite and separate toilet for visitor?

I don't think having that is an over kill. It's all dependent on the owner of the property and a willing occupant.I know lots of tenants who would feel comfortable with separate toilet. Rates also are dependent on location also.
In Bayelsa there are 1 bedroom flats that are at #300K and still have an extra toilet.

I did a design and built same units of 1 bedroom flat on 2 plots of land having a visitors' toilet and the rate will go for same #300K.

EgunMogaji2:
I understand. The issue is that most of the folks here seemingly went tot he same school or for some reason the materials are not readily available here. These are some samples that I am still searching for someone to do.

The list of designs is endless. A not common design will mean the contractor will have to purchase the design mat or hire if possible to accomplish the work to be done.

n3xt:
Baba, when the need arises you’ll understand why interlocking bricks are far better than concrete floors.

It’s not just about pipes only but everything and anything else that might need to pass underground.

You can see I was quick to talk about having no wires fly around in my compound. What I didnt share is that I’ve been racking my brain on how to relocate a pump for years now all because I don’t want to break the concrete.

I just want to move the pump to my generator house. The options given aren’t ok with me so I’m currently living with it.

To the best of my knowledge it's all about being creative. It all gets down to how much one intends to spend in getting it done right.
The option I described if done in an orderly manner and with a pre-cast slab will serve its purpose and also serve as added design on the plot while the other section takes the stamped concrete.

All it takes is to make the plan(s) from the beginning on paper from the layout designs and follow accordingly.

Dennis3D:
Good morning all.
What do you think about this flooring as against interlock... Your reviews would be welcomed...

Whatever the name it's being called be it "stamped concrete or Increte", its way better than interlocking or paving stones.

The issue of maintenance arising from pipes(waste or water) beneath the soil should not be a disadvantage. All one needs to do is to do your piping as close by to the building or by the fence in an orderly manner and make those areas green areas and the other section for the stamped concrete. The alternative option is to do some form of casement(block or concrete) to lay the pipes between and the covering should be sealed with partitioned precast slabs that can be easily removed if the time for maintenance arises.

mrsteel:
That's a 1:4 mix & depends on owner.
Some people make only 10 blocks out of a bag of cement. But a 1:6 mix ratio is very ok for plastering.

Certainly every mix depends on owners' perogative. Please if you have any pix of a building that is recently been worked on with this mix kindly share pix with us here and possibly the type of plastering sand used.
I like to learn new things and new ways.
Thanks.

Dennis3D:
Nicely stated.
I wonder how people jump into conclusions here so fast. Reducing the participatory time and essence of people who ought to voice out where need be. I just read a member saying FIRE the architect. Really, just like that? What happens to asking him reasons for his design and if not convinced, ask him to change it. I don't like the way some people talk here seriously. That someone world for you doesn't mean you shouldn't respect the person at all. Some comments are not necessary, pls all concerned should take note of that.

That's why personally i involve clients in plan reviews of at least two times or three before final conclusions. Everyone's opinions are fine but be constructive other than insultive.

Thanks.

This section of NL will never loose it's sense that's it's known for. There'll be no need to fight it and them.

It is the zealous nature of NLanders to criticize but ask this same people to show us their own designs and you'll be surprised.

I expected the one who brought his work from his architect to have first addressed his concerns with the one he engaged and let him do a review before bringing it here for open criticism.

mrsteel:
It was the same thing brabus posted.
The same mix is use for mortar & plastering
Check his post again

My bad......
Anyways I don't know what kind of sand they use for plastering in that area or elsewhere and if it's the same cement we are using too. I would really like to see a pix of them builds where this mix is used before extra aesthetic is done on the wall.

Where I come from without telling the workman(mason) he knows it's 1 cement bag =8 paint bucket for plastering.

mrsteel:
That is supposed to be a mix of 1:6 for plastering, what is wrong with it?

The mix he used or using is not for plastering or rendering but usage as regular mortar mix to form walls.

Kindly take a look at the picture on mix that Brabus/n3xt posted.