₦airaland Forum

Panoramic View of the Site

Then

And

Progress Pics

Today in picture

mybad: @brabus: You're the master here so don't mind my asking.
In the picture of the work in progress, the foundation seems a bit too close to the fence.
Shouldn't there be room for sewage,parking,play area or for future development?
Maybe i can learn from this and maximize space next time.

Here's the site information

Land Size: 50 x 100
Building Size: 30 x 70
Building Type: Multi-Dwelling Unit (4 Units of 2 Bedroom Flat)

Bros, we need to manage space o. There's space for all you asked.

The Rains
The weather is fine in Port Harcourt and we are working with the weather report. Today, major works happen in the daytime as we expect light showers around the evening.

Experience With The Locals
In general, professionals will agree with me that when dealing with construction projects in a new location, you should first start out on a friendly basis. We are working with some of them and the experience has been so sweet. However, we sef no dey do gra gra o!
Finally, there are some things you may just have to live with. I cannot carry Chekitaut from Lagos to come and supply in PH, it might be a good idea to deal with the locals and enjoy their support.

@Degis, We are trying to reunify our entire diaspora by creating “virtual communities” and possibly make Nigeria work again. Its nice having you on board. Please spread the goodnews

Sir Jaydacorsia has been a very good man and such client deserve the best. Even where he found us to have quoted lesser than the local market price, we were duly informed.

Oga Spyder/Segcy.moor/Chekitaut, can you see that? He has done his part, I think it's fair to give him value for his money.

_______
Project Update

Foundation Depth: 1m

Work in progress

"One thing drives us to do better each day: We are only as good as the last home we build."

If I can survive in PH, definitely my Oga at the top (Spyder880) would do better in Lagos.

Update: We broke ground yesterday and excavation of the lot is ongoing at the moment. I'll update pics shortly.

Brabus will be on site today.

From the hood...

Here's the land at Iwofe, Port Harcourt

Wichtech

The Project is about to begin!

Hello!

Hi, I'm Brabus. I'm glad you clicked your way here. Please stay awhile! This thread is created so that YOU can follow how our our client overcame his fear. This is a way to share our life.

In the past week, Sir Jaydacorsiar has done a lot of enabling-works in preparation for the ground-breaking date. He'll be here to share his experiences so far on the project.

However, here's the project detail:

Project Type: Multi-Dwelling Unit
Project Location: Iwofe, Port Harcourt
Client: Nairalander
Main Contractor: NextHome Builders
Build-Route: Contractor-Managed
Budget: ******

Expected Completion Date: 31st July 2013 (Carcass only)


Follow us as we will be documenting the build.

Nice!

Roof

Construction Update:

All civil works completed on site. Final clearings done. We are now constructing a permanent ramp over the drainage. Pic update later today.

Gate, Payloader and Sand Filling works

NextHome Builders

NextHome Builders

NextHome Builders

NextHome Builders

swiftycool: The same way many Engineers cope without a builder and even an Architect can cope without a builder. I believe it all depends on the size and design complexity of the structure.

Many builders I've met can cope with simple designs but get weary when the building is quite complex or enormous in size, often changing what the architect had in mind despite the fact that structural analysis by the Engineer have proved its work ability

Bottom line; the experience of a professional is important in handling any structure. There are builders who have developed and worked with Architects as well as Architects who have yrs of experience with structural Engineers and builders and each of these professional may quite cope on his own.

However, the reason why most people prefer a well rounded Architect in most cases is due to the fact that he conceptualized the design and if he is knowledgeable in the structural stability he is able to achieve the implementation himself or get the right professional that he knows can implement his vision.
NB: all 3 professionals have been trained to have quite some knowledge of each others field

As per Baba bricklayer, (laughs) perhaps if ur dream is just to build a conventional 2 bedroom bungalow on an excellent ground situation, but don't come running here if your complex structure gets faulty due to certain little oversights by 30yrs experienced Baba bricklayer.

You're not 9ice but this post is nice. Thanks for your input.

I think it is fair to say most builders these days would cope without an engineer.

Ideas and thoughts really appreciated here

Fhemmmy: Used Iphone 5 could be as cheap as 90K Naira and could be as high as 150K Naira, while a Used z10 75K Naira and brand new could be as low as 95K Naira

Do you have any of the two phones available in Nigeria? My little boy just baptized my iPhone 4S today.

Used iPhone 5 and Blackberry z10, Whats the landing cost?

deking: I have silently followed this thread and will like to say in the defense of the architect that prepared your quote that he deserves the contract. With some effective supervision perhaps you will be able to save at most half of a million. While Oga Brabus is a veteran in building I think one aspect that builders always neglect is the power of territorial control. Except you will be able to provide the required territorial cover for Oga Brabus, I will advise you to stick to the man that knows the terrain well.

When it comes to local knowledge, there's no substitute, you need a local. Our intention wasn't to move our full team from Lagos to PH to show the locals how it is done. We intend to work in partnership with the locals who had better understanding of the ground conditions and what is required to get the project to the finish line.

MacLovington: Nice breakdown. I was talking to a young colleague last time: he doesn't want to spend more than 1m on land in Lagos.

He got offered a 120 x 60 plot in Ibeju-Lekki and a 120 x 120 plot in Ikorodu for 900k and 950k respectively. He's thinking more ahead, hoping there will be more development there over say 3 to 5 years. Although he wants to start building soon.

Objectively, which of these two plots would you go for?

Considering that Ibeju-Lekki land will almost certainly involve raft foundation.

I was actually advising him to increase his budget but he thinks that's all he can afford for now.

The cost of construction in Lekki - Ibeju isn't as expensive as you think and you can get away with a strip foundation in some areas. I'll do Lekki - ibeju

MacLovington: .

Good to know that. I can now constructively contribute when people raise this matter.

How does your procedure looks like?

Can you do foundation as phase 1, Up to lintel/window level as phase 2, lintel and final as phase 3, Roofing as phase 4 etc with gaps of say 2-3 months in between?

Do you charge per phase?

We can work based on whatever route you choose. Of course, we break the project into 4 stages.

1. Substructure
- Setting out
- Excacation/Blinding
- Foundation works
- Sand filling
- DPC

2. Superstructure (Ground Floor)
- Block Setting
- Lintel, Columns and Beams

3. Slab

5. Superstructure (First Floor)
- Block Setting
- Lintel, Columns and Beams

4. Roofing
- Woodwork
- Roof Covering
- Ceiling Noggins

MacLovington: Correct talk Brabus. I follow most of your threads anyway. I thought you would be in Spyder's investment group too.

I have done projects from diaspora since nearly years and dishonesty is just getting worse. But thank God there are still some transparent people, but sadly few and far between.

Brabus are you to do jobs in Ikorodu, Lusada/Agbara and Ibeju-Lekki axis? I know a few people short of time to come home and do projects but could potentially do in phases/stages if there was a reliable person.

True people are being put off because of previous bad experience and end up doing nothing.

Sure, I can build anywhere in the Southwest Nigeria. I wish I could be in that investment group too but there are too many things competing for my time now. Spyder has my 100% support. Infact, we are working on the first construction collabo (Spyder and Brabus team) on Nairaland for another Nairaland friend in PH

jaydacorsair: lol no be only musicians ooooooo lol.....

Bros, please send me an email so that I can forward you the document requested

1. DIY - You can save at least 30% of the your build cost if you get it right. But there's a caveat, if you're in least doubt PLS BACK OUT or ask questions from those who have been there before.
2. Pay As You Go - I build for people and I ask them to pay only when milestones are met. In fact, there's a penalty if we fail to deliver on schedule.
3. Be Involved - You're not expected to save on cost alone. A badly built house is worse than been ripped off in some cases. Get a professional to check the work as milestones are met.
4. Get Quotes from other contractors.
5. Be Flexible - We all make mistakes. If you're too rigid, you may end up getting shoddy jobs as the contractor, builder or relative handling your project may end up patching up to make you feel good.
6. Don't sign up with Baba Bricklayer! - Get a professional to handle your project and get a contractual agreement signed by both parties.
7. Break the project into stages and have the contractor list out the material requirements, and deliverables.
8. Be in Charge - Remember you're the project manager (whether in Diaspora or Home). Fire, dismiss, sack that contractor before he take advantage of you. You won't loose a thing doing so. There are millions of people looking for job.