₦airaland Forum

@EgunMogaji, I don't play grassroots politics. People who knew me well knew this.

Big names in politics do come to me for support. If I'm lying, e ja mi eyin boys.

@fyguy, the money paid is meant for approval. The guy agreed to do the approval but he said the client needs to bring in all the necessary supporting documents when they're ready so as to complete the process. Pls don't get me wrong.

The thing is the client want to build and I told him I won't want to have a face off with the government agencies which made me to ask the client to try and tidy up loose ends before moving to site. So in essence, it will mean it's a work in progress and not that nothing has been done and we are building without approval when the Lagos guys comes.

Yes, I realized this may be a bad pattern to follow but what I did was to avert paying huge sum for settlement when you can actually use the same to commence the processing legitimately. The same thing applied to the other guys you mentioned. The Lagos guys went to the site and the client never had to pay anything at the time they visited because I've already asked the guy to take care of it.

Now, coming back to tell me the approval was fake. Alausa has confirmed it fake is not something I can understand. The same guy did the approval for my site at Agungi and I never had issues with the Lagos boys and everything was cleared out when all the processing documents were complete. I can recall a Nairalander building on the same axis with me at Agungi calling to ask for how to go about it. I just forwarded the details of the guy to him and asked them to deal directly.

Now, if the best way to go is to leave all third party operations to client to deal with whoever directly. I think I'll do just that to have my peace. But I'm only acting as a broker between the two parties and more importantly protecting my clients interest while building the structure.

One thing I want the client to be sincere of is this. He knew I did all my best on his project and what made me mad is that he chooses to pick on my innocent self all the time and ran away from the real issues crumbling his project.
Will you ever believe that we spent almost 3 days to do the DPC of a house that's less that 340m²? Why?

The same way I told him about securing approval from the govt, I told him to offset Omo oniles so that we can work without disturbance. But even after paying the Omo oniles the sum of 400k directly by himself through his good friend who helped him purchase the land, the guy still come back at every MINUTE (even seconds) to demand for payments from the client and had to delay work and cause all sort of nuisances. Everybody involved in the payment were just playing games with the client and I told him why should you pay 400k to someone and still end up getting billed another 900k plus for the construction itself. This is insane. Something needs to be done about it. It was at this point that all the territorial powers in the dynasty ganged up against me saying that I am blocking their way. I ensured the client terminate his relationship with that his friend when he came to meet me right in the presence of the same me mavverick to ask for his percentage on the job that I was doing and I told him you can come and collect the job that I owe him nothing.

Too much stories but in all honesty I feel pity that mr Maverrick chose to be played by all the people he associated with and he feel good about it so long they are not related to Brabus.

Lots of accusations here and there. But here's the big question.

1. When material are purchased? Who confirms the quantity?
2. How many occasions did I tell him the granite been supplied to him is not 30 tons that 30 tons truck cannot get to the site?
3. The wood supplier keeps pressurizing him to buy woods to the extent that bamboo for the decking were supplied at lintel stage and I was like why the succumbing to pressure. Has wood become a scarce commodity? Problem starts when materials are kept without on site without a good goal keeper.
4. At a point in time, I got so mad that the man is loosing too much on materials because it's like he was been held down at gun point. I then told him to compare the estimates and confirm it everything is going according to plan. I even went ahead to tell him to recheck the expenses during the foundation stage when we managed the work viz a viz other stages that he managed. That was there any time we went over budget or come back asking for extras/variations?
5. What would mr mavverick have done when the officials came to mark X on the site if there was no prior arrangement? I'm sure we can read that there's no where he can claim to pay twice for the same thing here. Maybe, he will be happy to pay whatever the guy charged him and be happier for it so long it wasn't handled by Brabus. So refund is completely out of it if no money was paid to settle the boys during the period of construction.


As much as DIY is good, if you choose to turn blind eye to good advices, just consider yourself as another Moses leading the Israelites to the promise land. The suppliers will be happier for it.

For those who do not know, sand sells for 9 and 13k for 15 and 20 tons in the mining site. Every other cost is transport, profit and settlements. Isn't it fair enough to look for ways to cut excesses in other to avoid project overrun?

Trouble started looming when mr Maverrick is offshooting his target at every phases and I asked him if you paid the sum of money to me and I come back to you, what will you have done? He said I cannot do it because I'm not a Santa Claus and I told him. Yea, you're right but what he's doing is what I did for 3strike for N10m and we did all that was required of us without asking the client for any dime extra. No accusation of stealing whatsoever. I handled the payment of Omo Onile fee at 3strike site when the boys had turned themselves into militants and we never had to pay any extra till completion of works. If anything is paid to anyone, it'll be after I was gone and I knew that man (3strike), he will not pay any kobo.

Again, let me rest here. Mr mavverick, I'm not your enemy and I'm sure your main enemies will be happy the obstacle is pushed out but I'm happier for it and at the same time feel pity in the sense that you're living with enemies within. Sorry if you misconstrued my actions as a means of exploiting you but I've been there before you, walked the walk and not just talk the talk, so I know how it feels when you are paying too much and getting too little.

In real estates, there's no one to impress!

EgunMogaji:
This is the cheapie lockset that I picked up and will give to my door maker to use as template. There's one more piece that I need.

Deadbolt of life! The first lock though.

I guess since there's no comment so I can fire on.

The Approval Thingy

It's never my thing to get involved in anything documentation especially on projects where I didn't do the designs and drawings.
Everyone (including all engineers in the house) on the island knew how much the LASBCA guys do disturb sites without approvals and detailed representations.
So I clearly explained to my client Mr Maverrick that I'll prefer he get an approval document for the proposed development to avoid issues with the LASBCA guys prior to construction period. I've witnessed the task force operations before and ever since I've vouched not to have anything to do with them again. So, I told him I knew a guy on the island here who can help with securing approvals for the building. He works in the office and blah blah. The client even requested the guys number and they talked.
The first thing the guy told me was that there's no approval for the area by the govt yet but we can still go ahead to start the processing to avoid issues with those boys because they'll definitely come around. The guy said if there's anything or anyone that calls we should inform him and he'll be there to talk to them directly.

Now, when it comes to real approval. There's more to it than eye meets. No one can do the real approval on your behalf because of the processes and the requirements. And more importantly the Governors' consent or CofO. I asked for this details from Mr Maverrick and his response was that the consent was been processed. I can still remember when he visited Naija and I had to quickly drop a document for him at Ikota that he wants to take to Alausa for his consent.

The Big Question - Is the approval fake?

I can't really say Yes here because of the following:

1. The owner knew everything from the onset. No need to prove too much. There's possibility of forgetting some things. But our chat of on the 15th July 2015 on consent been turned back due to land falling on government acquisition and on 22nd July 2015 when LASBCA came to serve contravention order and mark X on the site should buttress the fact that payment was made to the guy to get us clearance while we get the necessary supporting documents to complete the approval. I can remember the discussion then was "Who came to mark X on the site?" "Isn't that what XYZ ought to have sorted?"

2. The built structure was 10m x 33m (6 units of 2 bed flats) but the drawing was scaled down to 10m x 21m (4 units of 2 bed flats) by the owner through his architect to get a lesser figure from the approval guy which is clear to us (Mr Maverrick, myself and the approval guy) all. The approval guy was also saddled with the responsibility of taking
care of any issues that may arise from the officials which he did without fail on both occasions when the officials came visiting.

It's pertinent to note that the client and the approval guy were having direct contact during the period. The only role I played was that I received and paid the money to the guy. And that I received the scaled down plan from the client and printed and handed over to the approval guy.

When the documents were delivered to the client, the approval guy delivered directly to the client and a photocopy was handed to me for site use by the client.

Ever since this issue was raised. The client has been in touch with the guy to the extent that the guy said he'll issue him a cover note or something which I'm really not clear about. That once his other documents are ready, he will complete the process. I told the client why put all the blame on me. We were all on this together. I never do a thing in isolation hence my reason for asking him to let us go to the office and fight dirty with the guy for defrauding us. At least maybe to clear my own name. But deep down, we both knew what was done. The scaled down building plan, the mandate given to the guy to clear up all issues from the boys that may come to disturb and the turned down consent which halts everything.

Let me rest here. If there's any question.

@Excuzeme, that was a very brilliant one!

I'll be good to discuss this if the house permits me to do so to avoid derailing a peaceful thread.

@ bigcil2, your mail is well received. I'll revert pretty soon.

spyder880:
I spent some nights awake before I started my first house.

Tales by the moonlight by Spyder880. Those time, your brain go dey work pass calculator.

It'll all come out well!

@ Olusuposaheed, some suppliers may approach you on that first day with too-good-to-be true offers. Check it well well! It's a Greek gift.

Olasuposaheed:
Fear; fear; fear; go out of my mind; I want to start work on my site on Monday. Have you experienced such before. pls share let me learn from you

Keep your cool! Nothing dey happen. Just be prepared with the toast line to use for the Omo oniles. "Eyin Omo Iya mi" "Blood" Look for the coolest face among them and make him your pal.

As for the workmen and suppliers, just dey parade yourself up and down like an old brigade, they're all trying to learn your format. The same way you don't know how to approach them, they're also in the same dilemma.

As for money, don't act like an ATM machine stuffed with too much money. Get an exercise book, record all transactions and pay everyone at the end of the day. Give everyone your rules and regulations. On the first day, you're still the person calling the shot.

All will be well!

incogni2o:
Lol, Yes, I have a predetermined mindset, But just making sure I am not doing something wrong.

Thanks though.

You're welcome.

@ johnson232, Oga spyder880,

We just made a resolve this afternoon only for my wife to receive 5 different calls from an unknown number and when she picked it was all gibberish. For how long shall we continue to act like overgrown babies?

Anyway, the party is on and I'm having fun with the family. Remember, its a 3-in-1 celebration. (My Wedding Anniversary, My Birthday and NextHome's 5th Anniversary tomorrow). It's a week of celebrations!

Thank you all for your love and care all the time.

_____________
Oga EgunMogaji,

I'm still working on the old barn doors o. Lucky me, the kids threw away some of the skating gears today and I've packed them up to convert into use for the DIY project. My budget is pegged at N25k for the door. This is type of door is normally sold between $300 - $500 or more.

Materials on ground already:

1. Track
2. Guide Roller
3. Door (made from packing case)
4. Stopper
5. Tires (from salvaged skate board)

bigcil2:
Okay sir... Dry and flat land ,located in Abeokuta.

That's fine. I'll revert with information pretty soon. You may want to send me an email for further discussions.

bigcil2:
I'd go for the first image (foreign concept)

Ok. Next Question? Sorry too many questions o. Your terrain. Is it dry and flat land or waterlogged/flood prone site?

If the land is in Lagos, just let me know if it's mainland or island?
If outside Lagos, pls share the town. I can always get the geographic information.

Just need to get the various variables required to come up with a design and estimate.

twinskenny:
first design so superb!!! nice one

That's something from the architect/designer of K-024 by NextHome.

bigcil2:
Please post samples am lost

Choose between this 2 designs below. The first been modern and the 2nd traditional design.

Dieumerci:
So it's your birthday and u no tell us since morning, even though u get time.

Anyway, happy birthday. Do have a healthy and fulfilling year ahead.

Thanks for the best wishes. Having fun with the kids who are busy decorating the anniversary cakes.

I'll send the e-cake to my people here shortly.

You may want to inspire me with those things that WOW you. Trust me, I'll catch up instantly.

But if you ask me to think outside the box. Below are the crazy thoughts occupying my mind at the moment.

I'm thinking of a modern 4 bed with a courtyard, loft space and double volume. We can conveniently get an urban garden with flagstone pathway on 2000m². Baba, lead me on. I'll follow.

bigcil2, is it Contemporary or Mediterranean styled house?

I mean is it modern styled houses using elements which includes glass, slats, screen shutters and flat roof or our traditional pitch roof design styled house?

skimanski:
Oga mavverick I know the issue between you and Brabus must have really pained you. But please whatever the thing is, let's just let it go. No builder here in nairaland and outside that haven't made mistakes with clients or haven't fallen out with a client in his/her career. When it happens its a way for both client and contractor to learn. Let's just bury the sword and guns and knifes, and move forward. Time is precious. Teach others from your experience and let Brabus teach others from his too.


All them my ogas I greet una. May all the people forming enemy and fighting here be friends before the end of this year. Amen!!!!! May all our experience with each other teach us the way forward in our future endeavors with each other and also with other strangers we might come across. Amen!!!!


Class don close for today. Every body to sch canteen for alomo and groundnut. After that combination Na una come know Wetin una wan use am do when una reach house.

One day I hope to catch you for GTB. I'll just ask you to do the withdrawals for us to share.

Nice one mate!

Meanwhile, it's my birthday today! I dedicate this day to all those that are deprived of freedom.

EgunMogaji:
I offer a thousand apologies and I own my part of the dance.

I continue to learn about building.

Brabus shared this company before but I have not made any contact since I'm not at that stage yet.

http://www.trellidor.com/en/security-door-companies/trellidor-nigeria

Don't mind that guy o! He's a teaser. He knew where to get what he's looking for.

The best approach for a window shutter is to order abroad and ship down here. You'll get some crazy "dollar don rise" bills here. We automate with cheap garage door opener.

There's a big market for these in SA. Cheaper by the dozen.

Skimanski, nice one!

Apologies to all thread users for wrong use of the platform.
Experience has taught me that not being civil almost always derails any rational exchanges.

Sincere apologies to all and especially Hajji Mufutau55 for turning your thread into Royal Rumble Match (a typical Ija Igboro).

The 2 hours I gave you is up and I'm outta here jor. Let me get to NextHome Brick+Stone site. Serious work ongoing. You notice the "stone" Yeah, its what it is.

Mavverick rants


So the blocks that i brought to site were brought for you top be broken on decking formwork, now thats wickedness !!You were paid for the works, and under your watch all these crap happened, listen to yourself again, does what you are saying make sense ?? Stop forming jor! Post the screenshot of that part like you always do.


Why the silence on the fake building approval ? You cant pick and choose what you decide to defend yourself against. Because silence is the best answer...

Marine agreement was for the entire decking, you barely did 10%. Money was paid for mobilisation of the marine board, yet you told me to order over 100 pieces of 1 by 12, why was that done when marine was supposed to be used for the entire decking. How much was paid for the 100% of the decking bro? State figures here. I'll soon help you with a detailed spreadsheet of kobo by kobo payments made by you to Brabus so as reveal whats unknown.

You agreed payment with the bricklayers, all payment made to you. What is funny is that during the time the bricklayer compained of not beign paid by you, when I got fedup I had to sack the both of you. Whether its N50 per blockfor downstairs, N55 for upstairs, its irrelevant. You were the one in charge, the one who was being paid for building services etc, so you cant choose to dodge the bad bits you did that you do not like to be reminded of it. Interesting! You sacked me or I walked away from the troubles.

Nails, one time 4th of July 2015 to be precise, paid 25K for 5 bags of nail . When I kept asking if hte nails have been delivered to site, you told security to tell me that it has when in reality it wasnt. It was when I kept insisting. Can you imagine common 5 bags of nails, how can you be that LOW ! Anyway, once a thief always a thief, even if its to steal $100m dollars or common 5K nails, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A THIEF !! So tell me what was the carpenters using to do the slab work. Binding wires? 5 bags of nail. I gave you generator and hose (fueled and maintained by me) throughout the period of the build at no cost to you except you can proof otherwise. You are here talking about 5k nails. God help your insanity!

Time up. I've got better things to do again. Stay glued here and keep doing what you're good at. I cannot help you!

And what did you do to the contractor who did the beautiful roofing job I commended? You can show the world the good comment I passed on your job because I'm not like you and I don't live my life in pretence. Tell us what happened between you and the man who did the beautiful job I commended.

You're hiding behind faceless forum to cover up your inconsistencies and fake life as if I care. Fix it if you like or stay glued to the computers playing troll.

@maverrick,

Pls share with the forum the following:

1. Brabus' Quote for your building project.
2. The contract agreement as drafted by you 23/6/15
3. The contract agreement as reviewed by NextHome 24/6/15
4. The changes and modifications requested by you and the additional estimates by Brabus.
5. The numbers and details of the workers, suppliers and other people Brabus is owing on your site.
6. Agreed sum in the contract for the foundation work. The sum paid to Brabus eventually.

Lets stop dancing round the circles. You have nothing tangible to say or proof to anyone in his right frame of mind. I know how painful it is when there's cost overrun in a project but that can only happen to those who didn't plan or those who wanna show off.

The Constants (K)
______
Till date, I've never seen a place where they catch late comers for home owners. It is better to take many steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward. - Chinese proverbs

If you like finish your build with 500m and it can't contain my dog or give ample space for kids to play, let alone park my monster trucks, its just another money poured down the drain. No amount of unfounded accusations will change that!

If you build a land which is not only falling on government acquisition but also block a major drainage and you come here to blame me for your foes, then I can only wish you "May God gives you the fortitude to bear the irreparable..."

If you build on a land that is 1.2m lower than the road level and you come here to form BIG boy, calling everybody names. I can only say "Sorry is your name."

My response in bolded part:

Stealing Cement and asking me to get scientific proof that you did. I owe you no apology over that because I was not engaged as a security. When I bought my materials, things were not stolen. We even have leftovers on site except you want to deny that. You have the pictures and records which you won't share here.

Colluding with my security to defraud me What am I suppose to say? Truth needs no defense.

Countless list of shoddy jobs Sorry! Can you tell me the remedial works you did on the foundation? How many supplemental columns were added?

Decking slab mixed with block, and done deliberately. Isnt a decking/slab supposed to be concrete, and then you give me some crap excuse. Explain the excuse bro. I'm sure if you fulfil your part as the main contractor at that stage, there won't be any broken bricks on the slab on the day of casting. You'll remember you bought the block on the same day of casting. As you lay your bed...

Foundation that is not straight I've seen the pictures. Sorry about that also!

Collecting money for Marine board and then getting me to buy wood again Share with us how much was collected from you at each stage of work and how much woods you bought. I know you don't lie but lets hear figures and clear up the ambiguity. It'll be interesting to see what brabus quoted and what he was paid. If you bought N10m wood outside budget, how is that my business? Am I the supplier? Did you ever had to complain when we did the foundation and supplied all woods and boards needed. NO! It will be interesting to see the video of where you asked your security to mark wood supplied by Brabus with white paint.

Blockwork from hell That's what you paid for. N50 per block for bricklayer, labourer and supervision can only get you that. I'm sure you'll remember it was no longer my business at those times except you can show me where I quoted N50 per block for you.

Deciding to do a 4 board foundation, even though you collected money for 5. Really

Stealing nails So, what did we use to do the work. Binding wires?

I can go on and on. Pls add more but let it be logical this time.

Oga mavverick, I extend it to 48 hours. Prove me a fraud without resorting to name calling.

It would be interesting to hear the number of times that

1. Brabus effected changes on the plan before the construction and while the work is ongoing. Remember, contract ends before sandflling of the foundation except you can prove otherwise.
2. The number of time Brabus made changes to the estimates and came back to request a renegotiation of prices of the ongoing works.
3. The number of materials that Brabus was supplying to the project
4. The detailed figures of what was agreed on contract and what was paid to Brabus.
5. Any other things you deem fit.
6. Feel free to share the details of anyone who can be your witness to buttress your claims even the Omo Oniles are allowed in this case. Just anyone.
7. Please feel free to share any quotes, estimates, or request emails from Brabus/NextHome that can help you with your claims.

I'll be ready to attend to all your accusations if they can be structured in the format highlighted above.

Thank you.

mavverick:
Story
Thief Thief !

I'm ready for you today. Let's even do line by line. I'll give you the next 2 hours to prove me a fraud. Please don't just cry so that people can read facts and not emotions.

incogni2o:
Thanks, Sorry, Please, I don't have enough for a pro now.

Will Appreciate any advice

Baba, it's like you already have a predetermined mindset on what you want to do and how to go about it. You're just coming here to look for an accomplice. Just joking (No offense intended).
Since you don't have enough for a pro, I'll suggest you do any of the following:

1. Sell off the land and buy where you can really afford to build. That terrain is not a child's play.
2. Save up till you can afford a pro!
3. Look for neighbors around you and ask for help and suggestions on how to tackle the terrain. You can't really get a good advice from anyone here except a rookie without prior knowledge of the soil formation.
4. Convert the land for farming purpose.

Get a pro! Let them get you off ground first. Then you can take over. Otherwise, you can bury drums (depending on the depth to load bearing soil) at every 3m interval and do a suspended (connecting) beam on the drums. Take not of the flood level.

I've seen someone do something similar for a foundation on Nairaland but I can't remember the thread again. Maybe if I get it, I'll share here.

@HappyKay, I'm happy that you agree we all make mistakes in life but my own issue with you here is you said I'm a fraud without a proof. Now I'm asking you to "Tell anyone who's accusing me here to tell us anything they paid Brabus or NextHome to do and that we refused to do".

I'm sure that is fraud and I'll be happy to apologize and make a refund. Otherwise, it's just a cheap blackmail.

He's owing planksupplier. He owes blockmaker. Ever wondered why I choose to own my marine boards, my dump truck, my block industry, my mixers, generators, pumping machine and all other tools of trade. Even up to welding machine, Aluminium profile cutting machine, testing bucket and lot more. It's because of the unfounded stories we hear all over.

If I owe after owning all this equipment, then the project should be questioned. Or don't you agree?