₦airaland Forum

EgunMogaji:
Do you mind doing some explanation.

Thanks.

Cement comes in 2 colours, white and black (Not necessarily in colour per se) but you'll notice the difference in colour. Most sellers do not actually know this. Just go to any cement store and look out from dangotes' cement from 2 different plants. You can also see it in BUA cement. Those are the cement i've used on a regular basis.

spyder880:
My people, I beg to differ slightly on this.

There is a lot of difference in cement quality in Nigeria and there has been too much said about it by professional bodies and even government regulators on the official level. It was because of the low quality of some cement that some changes were made in terms of grading cement according to classes we see on the bags, the 3x and 3.2 x (etc) we see on cement bags was meant to reassure users and create a better quality acceptable to SON and other agencies.

But we on the ground have no laboratories to test cement and we cannot tell when a big cement manufacturer chooses to reduce their quality output to the detriment of consumers. It would have been better to bring all the cement brands and test them in labs but we don't have that opportunity now. This is why I stick my ears to the ground and go along with local block makers. Any cement they use to make blocks seems to be better as it yields more good blocks because of its quality.

For now, no block maker in my area uses Dangote cement to make blocks, they prefer Ibeto cement brand (but this is not readily available everywhere and costlier than others). Another cement they buy always is BUA cement, followed by Elephant supaset. These cement are usually more expensive than Dangote and Unicem cement.

As at this morning, my dealer is selling thus;

Dangote 3.2 - N2,200
Unicem - N2,200
Elephant green label - N2,200 (they don't sell it in the east now, replaced by Unicem)
Elephant supaset (Orange label ) - N2,280
Ibeto - N2,400 (Not in Stock)
BUA - N2,250

. The most common reason why block moulders use ibeto and bua cement is because it takes a short time duration for the blocks to set when compared to using other brands of cement. As regards quality of all brands of cement put in comparison I can't say but when it comes to construction i'd prefer any brand of cement as long as it's the black type.

FastShipping:
Nassarawa is an option as long as it is in a very good location in close proximity to Abuja. The distance must not be more than 35 minutes drive from Abuja metropolis. It must have tarred road and other basic amenities to compensate for not being in Abuja. You know if you can get me the land, you are automatically building it. I'm not going to buy piece of land in Nassarawa without having those things I listed.

. There are lands for sale from Mararaba-Nyanya axis, Keffi, all in Nassarawa, which are all in proximity to Abuja. If you still interested in getting a land there kindly contact me via 08039387432/benavoh@gmail.com for further discuss on getting a good land to erecting a befitting structure on it. Thanks.

cornald:
Good morning my good people please someone should help me out. I want to build a duplex and I have "6" soild blocks from foundation to window level also am planning to use "6" hollow blocks for the parts that toilet and kitchen pipe will pass through in the building. Questions 1 Is "6" blocks OK for duplex from foundation to finishing. 2 .can I use only "6" hollow blocks for up. 3 can I use hollow blocks from foundation to finishing on areas that pipe will pass ,so that the pipes will be hid in side the hollow block. PS reply

. My candid advice is to use your 6" solids for your fence work and soakaway/septic tank. Kindly go for 9" blocks for your foundation works to decking level. 6" blocks can be used for small partitions like toilets. After decking you can use 9" blocks on all external walls/major walls running/cutting across the structure and 6" blocks on every place. But if you or your client still insists on using 6" blocks from start to finish kindly introduce more columns on your structure and do a proper foundation for your structure. Goodluck to you.

Chelseafan1:
Reduced to 9 odds
Played with 2k

B939WSCCQQPAA-92680

Please which code is this?

mypains:
4 bedroom bungalow. Site is in Benin on 46 by 100( was supposed to be 50X100 but the sellers in the community shared it any how while we were away and nobody got 50 the next compound after mine is 43 or so)

. Since a survey plan is not available maybe you can send a snap shot of the land standing from where you want the front of the building to be or you can do a rough sketch of the land with dimensions showing the access road as well. You can reach me via 08039387432(whatsup).

Badgers14:
The contractor is suggesting 2 flats on the ground level, 3 flats first and second floor then a pent house of 2 bdrm flat.

But my concern is, the stability of the house? I don't want to be a part of any house falling over.

What do you think on that?

. I will just comment and hold every other reservations!!!
It's workable depending on what other facilities apart from the 2 rooms ground floor that is required. So depending on that the trick is paying special attention to how you distribute your columns and most importantly how to achieve a befitting first floor deck matting for the structure.

sparrowsparrow1:
Hi all, i want to build a 5 room duplex, it will be 1 bedroom and parlor down with toilet and kitchen. 3 bedroom and parlor up, with dining toilet and kitchen, can someone help me with the cost. is a village house

Which state?

jkwallputty:
Call today. 40kg Bags Available!

Please how much is per bag both retail and wholesale. Kindly send mail to jobspays@yahoo.com. Thanks.

gibbi:
All these "building codes" excuses. Unless you agree that you are deficient, you can never improve. Most Nigerian engineers are poorly trained which is not a surprise seeing that most lecturers reprint the handouts they were taught with 25 years ago and regurgitate the same out-dated information to their students. Is there any wonder why they compete with roadside artisans for building contracts?
Believe me, the UAE building codes and safety standards are one of the most advanced in the world and the inspections here very stringent. So claims of different building codes are just lame excuses .

Does the Nigerian University train her students/graduates as regarding Engineering and Engineers? Please the Nigerian University only puts you through on what you ought to know...just a foundation..... you ought to do the rest your self.

gibbi:
Be imaginative, go the extra mile, make the library your second home and study beyond what is expected of you. I studied in a Nigerian university myself and today, I head a multinational team. I am not an engineer though, but work in the health sector.

. Who gives lame excuses!!! Any one studying Civil Engineering in Nigeria should do that which is required of him/her to become a graduate and become successful in the chosen career. You have to do some PP during holidays to know what's happening in the industry as a student and what's the trend. Imagination/creativity rests on the individual but the onus is the cost of putting up such structures/edifice/aesthetics as it depends on the clients. It's best as an Engineer you know the taste of your client and work towards it.

nifemiayoade:
Nigeria structural engineers , does not have any experience at all, see d work of a structural is to achieve every design that d architect put down, pls go dubai and see a lot thank

. Do you really want to compare building codes of both nations......haba......the work of a structural engineer is to agree with the architect on the best way to achieve the design following all safety precautions. If you're architect don't go out there to design something that even you don't know how to achieve it because you want to design and give the structural guy sleepness nights. In the construction industry the architect is the team leader followed by the civil/structural engineer and so on and so forth. So if you're worth your salt then your team is worth theirs too.

Arnoldfish:
Hello House, A Client insisting this house be done Turnkey with 15m, My Ogas in the house, is it possible in this time of recession?

. (1)Is the #15M just putting into place the carcass structure or it includes complete finishing? (2) Which state are you going to put up that structure? (3) What is the nature of the land?

gbadexy:
If the cement plaster is perfectly done, there won't be a need for screeding. Besides, I did say that screeding gives a level of smoothness that ordinary plaster can't give.
I also mentioned that pop screeding swells and peels when in contact with water. So obviously it won't be ideal for exterior use .
Why did you quote me Sir?

. I quoted you when you said " Screeding is used to correct ERRORS on cement plastering".

gbadexy:
Regular cement plastering is quite different from cement screeding.
Screeding of either cement or gypsum based is done over cement plaster.
It's a relatively less thick coat used to correct errors on cement plaster to give a very smooth and level surface that ordinary cement plasters can't give.
Cement screeding is stronger no doubt. It's also smoother given the presence of free lime in it.
Water won't also be able to affect it, unlike pop screeding that would swell and peel off when in contact with water. So cement screeding can be used both inside and outside.
Gypsum screeding has some fire retardant advantage at a relatively low temperature, under 250 degree C. Theoretically it supplies oxygen for more combustion at very high temperature above 900 degrees if the fire hasn't been put out. But gypsum screeding has limestone powder as filler and that also releases carbon dioxide at the temperature gypsum releases oxygen.
Back to reality, cement screeding sets slowly. That's the major reason I think it's not widely used by contractors. They need a fast setting plaster to screed and leave the site on time for other jobs.
Paint would also stick well, especially satin on cement screeding and it won't peel off easily.

. Screeding be it POP or Cement based does not in any form correct errors as a result of cement(wall) plastering. The main objective of Screeding is to give a fine smooth finish to the wall and making the eyes appeal more to it after the application of your paint. POP Screeding if to be used is best suitable for interior of the building and never exterior. But the cement is most suitable for both interior and exterior walls.

agarawu23:
that's because u blv lies nlders spread when calling 7-10 millions for a bungalow

. A bungalow can be completed with #5M. It all depends on the design of the structure, the nature of the land(swamp,water logged,etc,etc), type of material used and cost.

rotecch77:
@bixton and N3sty, it depends on the area you have your project , in some area you need to live close to the site or you have boundary wall (fence) or doors fixed if not they will enter your site and remove some of the materials used,most expectially if youbuse good material

. In a place where there's no security or the house is exposed to the antics of petty thieves and robbers I strongly suggest you buy materials in bits and monitor the work to be done so that you don't have an excess of material on site.

bplenty:
@bixton,

Thanks for your constructive criticism. Your aforementioned as regards block work started off poorly. However if you follow the thread you'll see where I'd highlighted the whole information as regards that. Now the contractor who took off from where it stopped however did a excellent job introducing double block in the rooms where needed.

As for the professional output, the house had already been roofed so that stopped us from tearing down the block works. We have done a very good job to transforming the build to where it is till then. Please do commend us on that.

Millions of Naira has been put into the project. We do appreciate your inputs but unfortunately there is nothing else we can do at this finished stage. Before the internet a lot before us as in "Engineers" has built houses and were never showcased over the internet for us all to criticise. Moral of the story is! Appreciate that it's not easy building a house or even a hut. Let us appreciate each other so we from diaspora can keep investing in Nigeria.

Kind regards,
Cheers

. I really appreciate your structure. It's just that I take caution highly when I do handle projects especially when it's a private residential one. A man's house is his home.

B3sty:
Ok...Thanks for the reply, it's really helpful. No fittings yet, was just asking about the piping, materials & workmanship. I just want to knw the average amount I'm going to budget for this project that's why I'm asking anyway...hope the piping won't be tampered with cos there is no provisions for Doors / windows yet.

. Piping will not be tampered with. Just be sure to tell your plumber to use nylon or empty cement bag to cover any openings of the pipe that extends outside the building, especially the waste pipes for both toilets.

B3sty:
Hw much do u think will do the Job? Let me have an estimate and see if I can start with the Job now. Thanks sir

. Plumbing is two part...piping and fittings installation assuming you have the required toilet/bathroom, kitchen fittings to be installed. It will cost you about #100-#150k to buy the plumbing materials and workmanship to pay plumber for the works.

mypains:
Hello Sir. I am kinda in a fix right now. At my axis, there are lands selling for 150k to 200k per plot. I will like to buy 2 plot which is 300-400k but I wouldn't have money left to fence it or put any foundation it immediately. How much would it cost me to at least fence it to knee level? The plot measure 60x120 over here.

. If you're buying 2 plots where a plot measures 60*120 then you'll need the following. I'll only list the materials while you fix the prices by your self cause I don't know the prices in your state.
6 inches or 9 inches blocks--------- 2000
Sharp Sand (10tyre)----------------------1 trip
3/4" granite(6 trye)-------- 1 trip
Cement------- 60 bags
Y12----- optional to be used as columns
Quarter rods/Y8------optional use.
Labour workmanship for masonry work should be put @ your discretion or between you and the workers,ie, cement to be used for blinding of fence line, block work,etc.

bplenty:
@Bixton

How do you reckon bad professional output or poor supervisor? Can you kindly point out the errors if you can please. Cheers.

. Poor supervisory work..... Masons do not take care to rub their chalking/mortar well at block joints. Certain places from the pix shows that blocks were laid arbitrarily one on to the other not putting into consideration the patterns of joints when it comes to block laying.......... Bad professional output.... A house this big should have columns introduced @ certain points on the structure especially on the external walls. Lastly.......... it would have been better if that section where you have that bedroom which I assume is a guest room should be changed to the dinning, while the dinning becomes the kitchen and the kitchen becomes the bedroom all in that order.

bplenty:
Hi E-Family,

I have recently began a four bedroom all ensuite bungalow. I am attaching photo's and the house plan for it. I will need your kind advise on the right things to do in order to have a perfect project. Thanks god bless us all. Amen

. Nice design but bad professional output and poor supervision.

maryini:
Hello house,

Pls can someone help with how much would it cost to build a 10ft fence around a 800sqm plot of land in a water logged area??

the land is in ajah area, lagos.

. A pix of the land will help so as not to over assume while putting up an estimate. Just know that you'll be having a 4ft raft wall while the remaining 6 ft will be made of sandcrete blocks. Pls send your pix to benavoh@gmail.com or via whatsup 08039387432 for more precise details.

B3sty:
Hello Everyone in the House. Pls, I want make enquires on how much it's going to cost me to do the plumbing of a Two Bedroom apartment with 2 Toilets/Baths, Kitchen and Dinning area. Soak away has been dug already... I'll be glad if I can get a reasonable quotation...both Baths/toilets are separated with just a wall. I don't knw the size anyway but I was told by my Builder that it's 6 by 4 while the second one is 4 by 4 in size. I awaits your response sir/man.
Thanks .
Building is in Nasarawa state. ...New Nyanya precisely .

. It will be nice if I come take a look at it with my plumber if you're around. Contact me via 08039387432(whatsup)

osimini:
Hi Nairalanders,

I would appreciate any "rough" estimate / Budget on what it would cost to finish a 2 storey, 2 flats building that is roofed ( Carcas )

Things like

1. wiring
2. plumbing
3. Plastering
4. Ceiling (and Roofing boards)
5. Painting
6. Alumaco windows
7. 18 Doors


Any reference to a reputable builder with expertise in finishing is welcomed,

The House is located in Port Harcourt, Rivers state

. Good day. You can send me the plan of the structure if there were no modification/alteration for detailed estimates or just a pix of the physical structure from the front,back and side views of the building. Contact me via 08039387432(whatsup) and email benavoh@gmail.com. I am @ your service.

rymzo228:
50mm...for the ratio we use 1:2:4 for concrete

. With your use of 50mm/1:2:4 concrete mix, can the floor carry a fully loaded haulage truck carrying tiles?

diordaves:
Crayford is a South East London suburb. Just yesterday a burst water main overnight caused flooding chaos across parts of Crayford. Water leaked into an underground car park and caused polystyrene insulation to lift the road surface by 4ft; this led to cars being crushed against the ceiling and has left scores of motorists unable to retrieve vehicles. The burst water main in Crayford caused polystyrene insulation under Townhill Square car park road surface to expand and rise by around four feet, forcing the vehicles trapped inside upwards into the roof. Please see pix below.

Now what got me is not the flooding per se but the fact that polystyrene was used for "decking" (concrete slab) and for foundation in the underground car park. I have visited that car park in the past but I didn't know that the parking bay was embedded in polystyrene. All they did was stacked the polystyrene and tarmacked over it literately.
This held until the water burst. This shows that with creative civil engineering polystyrene may be deployed for foundation (?) and decking (?) in our civil build at home to reduce cost or weight ?

Abdulwastecx has been the champion on adopting polystyrene and I must confess I'm looking into polystyrene deployment in Abuja for temporary accommodation as partitioning walls, but the big question is: if yawa gas in any form as the pix show, will the polystyrene stand the test? This includes polystyrene parapet........Abdulwastecx come answer your father's name.

. It's a nice engineering concept but you need to understand it though. I'm certain you must know those polystyrene are in rigid form. There's EPS and XPS.

LegitDiva:
Do u have any properties for sale in Aco/ Amac estate airport rd? Land or house

. Ok....will keep you posted soon.

rymzo228:
It is an external work

Ok

rymzo228:
The new concrete stamp floor finish is the latest floor finish that adds more beauty and values to today's home, it's aesthetically(beauty) value adds more beauty to home, some of its advantages over others includes it's rigidity,flexibility,toughness,strength,prevention to weed,does not ware, and can stay for a very long duration of time regardless of the atmospheric weather condition, the new stamp concrete can be use in residential . houses,commercial building,offices,walk way,schools..etc we charge per square meter and we charge 2500 for every square meter,the cost of labour,materials and others are to our bills(2500) yours is just to mobilize us..we work everywhere in nigeria just call raymond today!

. Good day. Can you do such in the sitting room of an apartment because i'm trying to replicate such in an apartment instead of doing tiles especially in the sitting room.

skimmer01:
The floor plan

. Nice design