₦airaland Forum

Aren't you guys supposed to eat from home? No wahala, provided we can get a boat to cruise.

Good morning Nigeria!
Good Morning this evening, America!

^^^Bros, today is Sabbath day so no work. But I'll be rushing down to site first thing tmrw to see the effect of today's downpour on the foundation.

All materials for the German Floor are now on site.
More updates tmrw.

Dear Lagosians, pls bear with us. Today's downpour has been heavier than normal as the state govt. had earlier warned. It has been raining since 5am in many areas & it hasn't stopped.

The water level has risen incredibly so that the channels that r meant to discharge water frm the roads & drainages r completely locked because of the high tide & because both d Atlantic Ocean & Lagoon that receive water frm our channels have risen more than usual.

Pls b calm & do not panic. Once the rains subside, the water on the roads wld gradually disappear. Our men r on the field working to manage this situation.

Pls endeavour to remain indoors as much as possible until the rain stops. Thank u for ur understanding & pls send this msg to all ur contacts.
Tunji Bello.
Commissioner for Environment.

Quote from Mrs. Judith

Hi Brabus,

I’m a nairalander and I wish I to thank you for the good job you are doing here.

I just finished building a house and according to the architect/builder, he said all rooms were standard.
The builder was introduced to us by a neigbour and we gave him clear instruction of what we want.

Right now, the house is finished and we found out that the bath don't provide enough space and the room are very small compared to where we live presently. In short, the house is unfit for its purpose.

Please kindly tell me, when you say "Standard Rooms", what does that imply. Is there any modification or adjustments we can make to make it habitable.

Awaiting your earliest response.


----------------


Dear All,

I've replied the client but this is one of the numerous problems owners face when designing and building a house.
There are several professionals who can manage your building project for you.

1. Architect or designer - at times owners/building contractors are tempted to stop using architects once their building plans are ready in order to make savings. This could be disastrous if neither you or your builder can interpret the plan. An architect/ designer managed project is highly recommended as it will be clear who is liable for costs once there's a mistake.

2. Company - all the worries are being taken care of by the company. They even make provision for project supervisor/manager. So you have less issues to worry about. Just be prepared to spend more.

3. Builder - when you hire a builder to manage your project, all responsibilities must be clearly spelt out. A builder based on the number of years of experience can manage everything from getting a designer, hiring the workmen and getting suppliers but you need to AGREE on everything.

4. Other Professionals - Quantity Surveyor, Civil engineers are good alternatives when the project manager you engage let you down. But be careful when you are making that choice.

5. Project Management companies - if you are busy and need someone to take the whole project off your hand, then a Project Management Company/Consultant is what you need.


Back to the subject, I don't know who the client above had engaged in her project and the terms of engagement but obviously that person is not a professional.

As for us, we try as much as possible to discuss with our clients in a layman term and ask them to go over and discuss it with other professional in the industry in other to be sure they are well understood.

My advice is that you shouldn't be talked into a standard size for a room, garage, parking lot, gatehouse etc by your designer or builder. Many people wish they have a much bigger space or had some nice-to-have features but find it very impossible to do so because of design limitation.

Always ask for real life demonstration - if possible. A standard garage today may not be fitting for large four wheel drive vehicle.

Always try to engage a professional in all your projects.

Note: the fewer the walls and partitions, the greater the sense of spaciousness and the easier it is for conversion without sacrificing the sense of spaciousness.

NextHome

Its raining today. I'll visit the site later tmrw to see if there's any area to topup. There's no rush - we're taking our time.

The only stage you cannot revisit in a building project is the foundation stage. So, always ensure you get it right.

There are two other projects going on beside me being handled by young builder like myself. Once in a while, I'll be visiting their site to learn one or two things - be it construction mistakes and new ideas.

One of the things I discovered was that the supplier of my granite is very fair and honest. Having used part of the 30 tonnes granite for blinding/casting, what I have left is far more than what was supplied for others within the area as 30 tonnes and even N5,000 cheaper.

He's supplying at N20k less than the quote Kuntash received.

Congratulations to my friend and brother, Spyder880 and his family on the birth of a bouncing baby girl. May God be with you. Best Wishes!

Too many simlarities btw Spyder880 and Brabus.

I'll tell you later. Just a little more time is what I need.

@diordavies, I know and agree 100% with you. Points noted.

Congratulations Spyder! May the good Lord bless your family.

^^^lol. The situation is not as bad if handled professionally and there's enough funding.

Aventures, thank you once again. I'm sure the client is reading this to know my reputation is at stake to take a job like this. I just hope I'm thinking right.

For the first time on this thread, I'll post all the necessary site info including the BoQ and Work Plan.

We'll do this together - still waiting for approval, though.

@diordavies,

The original and existing structure is a basement (same as US and UK) because its been built on a slope.
Now, with the introduction of a slab on the basement, the building is still a bungalow - but a raised bungalow.

The new design took into consideration the structural implication, hence the addition of 4 new columns. This is in addition to the existing 14 pillars (16mm) in the house.

See pic below

@All, kindly help critique the modified basement plan above. Dont bother ask for the first floor plan - we are still waiting for our client's commitment.

@headworld, next time start a new topic.

Last week, we were asked to propose a concept design and provide an estimate for addition of a slab on a basement by a client in Ibafo area, Ogun state.  As of now, a final decision has not been made by the client as to whether to go with our design and cost.  However, I am including this here to give an idea of the detailed design we produce before any potential clients part with a single kobo.  If you are thinking about commissioning us to design and build your home, you can be sure of the final look and style before you make any commitment to move forward.

Pic 1: Existing Basement Plan
Pic 2: Basement Plan - Redesigned by NextHome

Note: The dotted line represent the slab footprint

A magician!

^^^Why this question?

@kunlekunle, apologies for my belated update. Kindly send me an email with all your request. nexthome@live.com

Body no bi firewood - till tmrw.

@All, why we una dey fall ourself hand nah!

Oyinbo man go increase stadium (no be classroom o) capacity from 50k to 80k - 100k seater without any prob, but we go run into issues converting a simple bungalow. Na wa o.
We avoid slopes, hilly site, water-logged area, - na wa  o

More picture

1. One of the discoveries made while inspecting the foundation.
2. Proudly Nigeria made tool of trade

Before Meets After

Abeg, make una let me update nah. Link damn too slow

today in pic

Working overtime. Aboki must deliver. Had to tip them additional N3k to re-level some areas that went down.

Pic update later today.

Important Notice to Owner of lands within Ogun State.

If you have not got your building approval, now is the time to do so. The new government is planning to increase tarrifs and levies in order to raise IGR.

Don't bother to ask for source as its not from yet confirmed.

I won't be surprised if this is happening because the state is dead broke.
A word is enough for the wise!

@kunlekunle, Pls help me understand your question. Which one bed are you talking about? Is it the block of flat? Thanks

My supplier at it again o.
Still waiting to take delivery of materials for german floor.

The SUN is back. Work is nearing 50% completion.

Its raining again.

We've agreed to shift the goalpost once again, Casting of the Slab to be sometimes later next week.

Meanwhile, compacting and filling still continues even in the rain.

Peace!

Negotiation sef hard for my end. Aboki no wan gree price.

^^^Lol

@All,
Pls help me beg Spyder to borrow me his guys for just 2 months. We can agree on what to pay him (Spyder) for the 2 month.
Those guys will be a GREAT respite to home owners in Lagos than Dangote's Cement Crash news.

No haggle with them again - just put them for next bus coming to Lagos. I will kindly receive them.

Its a bright sunny day here! Work in progress - pic updates later.

I'm inspecting the foundation. Removing debris, decomposing materials and broken blocks from the foundation. Let's try make it airtight.
In other words, we are sealing all the seal-ables and block all the block-ables.

Spyder, how's your side?

Met my next door neighbour on site today, another bargain champion like Spyder and meticulous owner like Am Alone.
He made some interesting points about his style and passion for building. I'll share with you later.

@Aventures, Thanks for your wonderful contribution. Its highly appreciated. We'll need more of you on this thread.


Dear All,

Going forward on this thread, I'll like to advice that no builder, engineer or contractor should give any quote or advice without detailed drawings and site information, as any figure, calculation or estimate given are likely to be unrealistic and inaccurate.

Therefore, all suggestions, figures and rough estimates given on this thread are not binding on the contributors or the poster.

So, a more realistic approach is to send us a detailed information of your site and project.
We will also need detailed specifications of what is required, so not just basic planning drawings.
As there may be certain design issues which need to be incorporated, and will also affect the cost and design requirement of your project.

Thanks for all your comments.

NextHome

@P.oj, if that's yr structural design requirement. Kindly proceed without any compromised.

But one thing I really want you to understand is that we overbuild in this part of the country.

If you can share the pic of the site, the land topography and size of the structure - I think we can better advice.

Good morning!