₦airaland Forum

By the way Sir Fash78, Egunmogaji ~ Who is an engineer? Because the term engineer is confusing this days.

The way we use the term this day come off to me as Mr-Jack-of-all-trades which shouldn't be so.
Of recent, I advertised all finishing works of one of my project online and a colleague at work feels it's wrong.
Now, my understanding of building projects is that there are 100s of trades/artisans (specialists) working on a singular project and the best man for the job of Project Manager is the owner himself which means he can choose whoever he wants at that stage of work based on recommendation. There's no point engaging a middleman for a specialist job all in the name of supervision or whatever it is called. That's the reason why there is building plans and specification documents in the first place so that it can guide whoever is engaged for the job.

Anyway, this is Nigeria. @ Fash78, I'm sure you'll remember how I responded to your request on POP. That's the way I do my thing. Deal directly with the artisan. Engage me for something different. It's pretty simple and there shouldn't be any problem from such approach.

The only thing a builder can do for you is the carcass. Every other job afterwards requires a specialist.

Bosun Davies, On ‘Drive Magazine’ Cover.

Bosun Davies, On ‘Drive Magazine’ Cover.

Bosun Davies, On ‘Drive Magazine’ Cover.

Bosun Davies, On ‘Drive Magazine’ Cover.

segzy14:
Na so ooo, I have been offered two jobs in p.h, another one in Benin but I told them nope.

Let me tell you a true life story.

I was doing a very beautiful (when builder say beautiful it means good money) project. Then a client beckons me to come and build for him several miles away from my ongoing work.
At first, I was reluctant to take up the job but the circumstance through which the good project came was through the client who wants me outta town. This explains the reason why emotion should not mix with business decisions. "If I didn't go, he will feel bad"

I decided that I'll push my good project to a good stage and delegate duties to my guys while I start the new job. I map out the plans and everything look so good on paper and proceeded into a 5 months journey into unfamiliar terrain where site challenges were not only enormous but a hard but to crack.

To cut the long story short, the owner of the good project was calling me to shift attention to their project which is at a very critical point. Meanwhile, I've also pushed the other project to the same level and thought it's better I finish the project out of town first with the hope that the good project guys will understand.

In the end... Guess what happened.


Good project in this case is a project that gave me N4.5m profit on carcass only within 3 months.

The work outta town costs 20m (material, labour & supervision) and it took 5 months to complete. Within that 5 months I lost contact with all my prospects and was busy doing remote/telephone support for critical sites. I had to pay travel costs of over 100 workers (Professional renderers, carpenters, electrician, POP, Aluminium guy, door fitters, and support guys) working on the project. Isn't that crazy?

End of story.

mufutau55:
I know what you mean... and your name for him... "Small body, big engine".

Hajji M.

For Brabus to turn "Ayinde Erin" to dey sing praises of one person... He get as he be.

I'll forever cherish the moments shared with him. I learnt a lot from this young man and I really wish many people will be like him.

I've met many good men on Nairaland but he came as a rude shock. I used to believe that Owo t'omode ba koko ri, akara lo maa fi nje"

Baba Agba, let me stop here. You'll meet him one day. He's well raised and I pray God will continue to bless him.

segzy14:
Madam and my daughter is fine.

I go write am for estimate but I go leave the space for naira blank, lol.

Anyway, I have decided to do lagos only cos the wahala is three much sef.

The bolded is the most important thing.
You don decide like me to do Lagos only. Haa! What if the pay is very attractive? For now, nothing changes my 20km radius decision.

Even my junior bro (here on Nairaland) who wants to build in Ibadan was recommended a builder who lives within his project jurisdiction and an architect who sabi his onions (both on Nairaland).

However, if you must work outta town, let it be to consult only and clearly spell out your terms and conditions in black and white (especially the financial part).

segzy14:
We dey cut them off the site, it could be total or partial cut-off

We learn each day. How madam? If client ask you to handle this, how you go come write this for your estimate "Owo partial cut-off and Owo full cut-off"

@ segzy14, if I may ask "What are you cutting off?"

Bosun Davies, On ‘Drive Magazine’ Cover Tells it all

Bosun Davies, On ‘Drive Magazine’ Cover.

Bosun Davies, On ‘Drive Magazine’ Cover.

@ Twinskenny,

I want to setup a multimedia projection system for a church using TVs. I want HD quality pictures of possible or something close on all the TVs. This is amateur setup though based on budget.

I'm pulling contents from 4 sources. A Computer, 2 x Professional Video Cameras and DVD Player.

So what I want from you is:

1. A very good link (connection) to all the TVs and future upgrades (making provision for additional 4 TVs).
2. 5 x HD Cameras (indoor/outdoor CCTV cams) to cover strategic areas.

You can let me know when you're in Ajah axis so that I can take you to the project site.

twinskenny:
maybe you are lucky sir...

the truth is that they will be working at cross purpose most time, and since they are not your worker you may not have the capacity to control or corrrect them

More like experience vs experimental project. The thing go be like:

Hey you that looks like a very good carpenter, how much is your bill? You'll work for me... At the end of the day, he performed woefully. Next day! Hey you that looks strong like tornado nail. My oracle recommended and picked you... Next day... And the next day!

twinskenny:
baba eku ise o.. otojometa sir.. weldone

Thanks bro. I know I owe you big time.

NextHome Project

NextHome Projects

mufutau55:
Yeah! I know whom you are talking about... never met him, but we chat on various things almost everyday... even calls me daddy like I am old man, I could not stop him, so I left it alone.. he couldn't wait for me to come to Naija so we can meet... Humble and respectful. Nice guy.

Hajji M.

Good that he's not calling you grandpa. He's so humble and I learnt a lot from his lifestyle. I pray you meet him soon. He's humility personified.

Honestly, real money no dey make noise. Na coins dey make the loudest noise.

spyder880:
You are lucky enough to be meeting with your clients. About 70% of the houses I built were completed without me meeting the owner in person. Sometimes I hand over the keys to the family members, still waiting for my "yankee" gift from some of them when they return

Met most of them a year after. Do you know the funniest part, I always ask them if they're Muslim or Christian so as to perform foundation prayers on their behalf. It's fun though. Trust me, it's fun.

Your Yankee gifts will definitely come.

4nobody4every1:
Lol @ the bold, l am like your client, you will hardly know l am the owner of my property, even when on site with friends and family members l will hear some Omonile saying this guy doesn't look like someone who can afford this property, this guy is simple bla, bla, bla, l will just laugh at them, open my car and give them whiskey or anything l have in my car, all of them eventually become my friends, l go on a very low profile when l am in Nigeria and it works 100% to my advantage.

My respect forever goes to one and only Nairaland client who took me by the biggest surprise. I'm sure Hajji Mufutau55 himself won't believe his eyes when he actually sees the guy.

When I met this client, I nearly ask him if he's daddy asked him to take me to the site. Oga, in case you're reading this, that was how I feel that day o
If it's age, I doubt he's up to 23 and he was able to pull off two houses at a go using Brabus service without headlines.

There were Omo oniles but they had no choice than to ignore the gentle guy cos he only visits when it's absolutely necessary to do so. Dem don even sabi the guy say hell shake body whenever he comes around so no one comes around to disturb.

4nobody4every1:
Exactly, this method works for me all the time and we eventually become friends

I know almost all the Omo-oritas and Omo-oniles in Lekki-Ajah-Ibeju now and they know me too. At least I've built over 20 houses that the owner never had direct dealings with Omo Onile till we handover.

Even when I had to deal with them, I did it non-appearance. The problem with most people is oversabi. I'm doing a project of well over $500,000 now and the owner (who lives 8 minutes drive away from the site) spent the longest time on the site just last week when he spent 45 minutes with me.
But I knew some people, the whole world must know Yankee man don land, Jand fella don arrive etc. Now to pay common Omo Onile money come dey speak grammar which Omo Onile don't understand.

I'm so close to the Omo oniles to the extent that they offer me mouthwatering land deals and tells me the deals to avoid. Just because I grease their palms always.

What works for me is to pay what's due unto ceasar. I'm sure 99% of those I've dealt with knew what I can do with Omo oniles.

mufutau55:
Exactly, why I said "Just negotiate, settle them and move on".

Hajji M.

Eni ija o ba, lo npe ra re ni akikanju. (A person who hasn't seen real challenges in life usually call himself a hero). Toto se bi owe o eyin Agba.

I suggest that anyone who wants to know more about "Omo Onile and their menace" to do a google search on "Omo Onile"

For over a decade now, Ajah vs Olumegbon issue is partially resolved. I mean the same Ajah where we have retired generals, senior civil servants and high ranking govt officials.

http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/guardian/2005/11/14/residents_flee_ajah_as_landowners_clash_five_feared_killed_police_arrest_46_hoodlums.php

mufutau55:
I was expecting you to bring this out when you had the problem with those guys...

Hajji M.

How many students police go kill? I handled one situation sometimes ago using stern-looking northeast mopos. Shockingly, the mopos were preaching peace and the Omo oniles were booing me saying "You just go waste our money carry mopo wey no shoot gun "

The best way to deal with Omo oniles is to be their friend. If you win them today, you'll have a bigger battle to contend with in the future. Get them on your side by shaking body for them.

No matter who you are or what power you may think you have. They are always the winner. If you think otherwise, ask Late DISU (Lekki Free Trade Zone Boss with all his armed security details)
http://www.channelstv.com/2015/10/12/lekki-free-trade-zone-boss-tajudeen-disu-shot-dead/

Staircase Details

Concept by: Bosun Davies
Design by: NextHome
Structural Details: Suztech Engineering
Construction work: NextHome

It doesn't matter how old you get, the 2-way landing is available for all ages. #safeandsturdy

What you see from different perspectives

1. Lounge 1
2. Atrium 1
3. Stair landing
4. Gym

Spotlight: Slabless Staircase (also called Sawtooth) by NextHome

One house, a thousand views

1. From kitchen
2. From Ante
3. From Guest Bedroom
4. From Hallway

Mayor78:
Brabus, you showcase some spectacular builds in progress, is it deliberate that you haven't showcased a completed one among many. I silently follow and long for for your completed edifice. Please show some. Thanks for your detailing builds.

I don't know quite how to frame my response. What do you think first?

Meanwhile, you can go over our project gallery to see all we've got to showcase for now.
https://www.nairaland.com/1793643/nexthome-project-gallery

Shape of things to come | WYSIWYG

Pre-finishes in progress.

Preparing for the steel-to-concrete and wood joist for a pent slab.

Orders made, expecting deliveries soon.

More

Steel-to-Concrete Connections

We took a step further from the norm by introducing some steel columns. Likewise, we also did some steel-to-wood connections.

Updates on the steel-to-wood connection coning up shortly.