₦airaland Forum

^^^Network Design and Architecture.

Thanks Pukkah, the world is changing and we need to move in that direction.

As an IT expert and a builder, I should be able to bring my IT expertise into play.
I'm presently working on my project website (first of its kind in Nigeria), where we will be streaming live updates of what is happening on our clients site.
Clients will have access to the backend to view and record their projects.


A New Nigeria is possible.

Problem in need solution.

1. Building site has a slope to it.
2. Basement Foundation is sinking and tilting.
3. Main floor concrete slab to site on the existing basement
4. Client's budget - under N1m
5. Deadline for completion to move in is 2 months.

Reference post #304 on page 10 for background information. See the pics of the site below.

Our plan is to:

1. Raise the floor above ground level
2. Dig new columns along non-bearing wall to support the main floor slab
3. Excavate some areas not too close to the building to prevent flooding
4. Protect excavated slope from erosion or surface runoff.
5. Increase the livable area without demolishing the existing structure.

Experts in the house - let's do it together. Suggestions, contributions and advice will be highly appreciated.

I'll try provide a rough sketch of the existing structure later today when I gain time.

Thanks

@Ferya, I didn't offer the moderator anything o. I guess the moderator has his reasons.

I was equally surprised when I saw my thread among the Sticky.
Honestly, I'm still looking at how to give back to Nairaland and contributors on this thread for their support and opportunity afforded a lot of us.
My thread is more of a developer's diary and a platform to provide consultancy in the area of my core competence.

I guess that might have won the interest of the moderator.

@Olaisrich, your message is well understood and noted.
I'll keep the house updated on the result of the test as soon as it is carried out.

Discussions still in progress.


Metrological Information: It may rain hopefully today or tomorrow, so work is bound to resume as soon as it starts drizzling.
Prayer Warriors, help me pray for abundance of rain!

Hi Brabus,

Good job you are doing on Nairaland. I am following your thread passionately. I also have a similar project that I'm doing somewhere in Sango-Otta and I would like you to advice me on what to do.

I really don't have enough fund to do the german flooring. Can't I just suspend it now and continue with block setting. You are the expert, please advice me.
I'm currently building 2 units of 3 bedroom flat, 2 unit of 2 bedroom flat with BQ. The land is 708sqm and it is flat.

Thank you,

Babajide



Greetings Babajide,

I greatly thank you for your interest in our projects and wishes you every success in your project as well.

Over the past few days, I've received a lot of calls and messages from enthusiastic followers of this thread asking similar question like "Bosun, why are you waiting?" Why can't you proceed with the relative inexpensive tasks like block setting? Wouldn't it be nice if you shift the goalpost?

Honestly, these suggestions are fine but I've discovered over time as a Project Supervisor and Manager that the ability to concentrate single-mindedly on your most important task, to do it well and finish it completely is the key to a successful project.

I always give more thought to planning and setting priorities before beginning any project. The golden rule is that you should never do a "B" task where there is an "A" task left undone.

As for your question, I'll advice that you start applying the tips above in your project going forward. Always SET PRIORITY. Do the German Floor first, if that's the requirement of your structural design.

I always concentrate my energies on choke points in a project without compromise.

My client is not under pressure to move in, neither am I under pressure to deliver. Take it slow and never bite more than you can chew.
Even in the background, we are planning for other stages.

Remember always set a long-term goal!


NextHome Builders.

@remcoface, at least man must chop.

No activity on site today - reason? You already know. Still expecting the Rain.

On the other side here - stop peeping bros!!!
I spent the better part of the day in the laboratory with a Soil Scientist friend and eventually discovered why there are so many collapsed buildings in Lagos and what Government is doing about it.
The structure we are planning to build is more than 3 floors and cannot be regarded as a light structure. Therefore a comprehensive test & as required by Lagos State Govt must be carried out if we are seeking approval. The cost is NGN250,000.00.
I'll appreciate anyone who can beat down this cost, though.

The investigation will include 20m borehole drilling, 4Nos Penetrometer test, Laboratory analysis of soil & water samples and submission of 3 Nos COREN Engineer stamped final report.
Its not a easy thing o. I thought a simple DCP test is enough.

Does it really worth it? You may want to ask.
I want to assure you that the risk of not doing so is enormous.

Discussions still on the way. More updates later.

@Kuntash, which part of lagos are you building maybe I can get you cheaper and same quality

^^^ Kindly send me a mail on nexthome@live.com. You can also reach me on +2348023429122. Let me have idea of your ideal house. There are various design to choose from.

Nwakaibe, the great one of Amadioha. Abi no be so?

Thanks for the update.

Good morning! Last week was fun - and hopefully this week will be more exciting. Still expecting RAIN though. You know what I mean RAIN$

Right now am sourcing materials for the German flooring.

Cement price from WAPCO factory as at Saturday is N1,600 - let's see if nwaikabe prophesy will come to pass.

Join me in praying for abundance of rain this week.

@remcoface, thanks for your prayers and support.
Fhemmmy and Fidelo726 don talk am say the my wey hin roof dey on fire no dey sleep.

Nice work bro!

Its business as usual again today. I met a new client today. This time - our project site does not require creativity but TECHNICAL expertise. We are building on loose or compressible soils or let say building on water-logged site.

At the mention of AJAH, LEKKI, V.I - the first thing that comes to the mind of a layman is RAFT Foundation. Vast majority of homes built in aforementioned areas are built on soil (irrespective of the foundation type), not on bedrock. By definition, soil is a mixture of small, decayed bedrock particles; organic material such as decaying plants, wood and animals; air; and often water. Therefore, site investigation/soil test is highly recommended to obtain the information about subsurface conditions at the site of proposed construction. A RAFT foundation is not a solution to underground issues that will affect your structure.

My decision to carry out a soil test is influenced by the following:

1. The size and type of project. (3 floors and a Multi-dwelling apartment)
2. Characteristics of soil in the area
3. Risks involved and the cost of not doing so.

Soil samples were collected from 3 different locations on the site and they will be sent to Lab today to help determine the depth of our foundation, ground water level and engineering properties of the soil.

More updates later.

Saturday 2nd July

Honestly, the question keeps bothering my mind "How do we give back to Nairaland and the team?"
Barrister Matthew, bounce back to recovery - we all miss you!

2 Months!!! You need to be a lot faster, bro. Does the 2 month include decking, roofing, plastering and finishing. Your client must be a Legislator.

Nice work!

I had the opportunity of visiting a client whom I got in contact with on NL to discuss how NextHome can help him solve his problem.

We were at the site and everything looks perfect - except for the dramatic slope of the land. I can read in the clients face disappointment but we discovered opportunity to increase the land's livable area with a basement.

We are still in discussion stage. More updates to follow soon.

Between me and you - I'm conceptualizing a raised bungalow for the client. Building a house on a steep slope requires creativity.

I'll post pic of the site when I get approval to do so.

I was on site briefly today after spending almost 4 hours in heavy traffic on Lagos/Ibadan expressway.

Update:
The Abokis had completed the filling of the foundation. We are now praying for rain. You may want to ask why the wait? The answer is simple - We've got enough time.

My link is very bad today and as a result cannot post pic update. But there's no much difference from what you saw two days ago. Pic Update to follow later.

Hey Man, you are not a good marketer. How's this topic related to the Property section?

Good respite, indeed! Hope this news turn into reality.

^^^I concur we have people with limited experience but I tend to differ that we do not have companies that are into timber production. I've some companies in Ondo state that are not into anything other than exportation of treated timbers.

May the good Lord bless your day! Amen

Good morning Brothers and Sisters! Another bright and beautiful day it is on my bed!

The man wey hin house dey burn woke up this morning only to find out that friends, suppliers, and well-wishes had put off the fire.

I'll be visiting the site this morning to see what happened while I was away. Let's see if my presence at the site is really required or if the workmen had mastered me so much that they can work with little or no supervision.

I'll be visiting another site in the neighbourhood which I'm going to tell you about. This will interest a lot of home owners who are thinking of conversion - from 1 storey to 2, or 2 to 3 storey.

Bungalow conversion in this case - stay glued!

EuroMeko:
As I peruse this forum I see a common denominator, houses being built out of concrete bricks.

It seems to me to be a rather expensive material to use especially considering we are practically in the rain forest.

I am looking for answers on why we don't use woods for the structure such as shown below.

Additionally, I see mostly 2 story structures. Why not many single story buildings?

At the mention of concrete homes, what usually comes to mind are areas vulnerable to devastating earthquake, hurricane, tornadoes and extreme climate. Nigeria homes are been built with concrete because concrete homes are known for their durability and cost-saving features. Also, there are many other added benefits by choosing to build with concrete.

I personally believe in the adage that "your home is your castle", so I choose to build a house that can withstand nearly any assault Nature can dole out without sacrificing the comfort and design flexibility of a home. While planning my house, I noticed a lot of houses within my neighbourhood are having cracks. I took time to study the situation and discovered that the houses are being affected by blast from WAPCO factory nearby.

So houses are not only destroyed by earthquake, hurricane, tornadoes etc but induced vibrations (man-made assault) are also a culprit.

@Euromeka, good to know you are following the steps we are using in this project. Again, this is not a one-size-fit-all project. Different solution applies to different situation.

To your question:
Placement of plumbing and electrical pipe under slab is a critcal issue. Although, it is possible to make changes by cutting the concrete but that is expensive.
A lot of plumbing problem do occur under the slab - this problem are very expensive to repair, takes a lot of time and causes a lot of disruption to the house.
This is a battle you can win in the future with little or no demolition at all, if you bring all your plumbing pipe out from under the concrete slab.

As for this project, it will be very unwise for me to make that move, knowing fully well that its gonna take some months before the owner take possesion.

I rest my case!!!

Internal. Why ask?

Its business as usual.
Today's update:
2 tipper of laterite was delivered to the site today by the supplier without my consent.
I'll let you know how we sort it out tomorrow. Although, I still need more to do backfilling but everything must be agreed. My third-eye in the neighbourhood confirmed its true.
I guess its just business tactics.

@Fhemmmy,Fidelo726, I'll find time to answer yr question. But a man whose house is on fire really need to take it cool o - when there's life, there's hope.

I'm not on site today.

Doing it after plastering is better.

Most sincere apologies to all interested buyers. The phone was stolen the next day after I wrote this post.

Right now I'm using BB 8520 and HTC Desire.

Sorry for the inconveniences.

Based on special request by a fellow NL who made a call to me yesterday, here's the Concrete Structural Framework for a residential building project. I'll try search my archive very well to see if I can still get the pic of the roof structure and the block work.
The Pros and Cons is another interesting topic for discussion in the nearest future.

After another couple of days of hard work, the filling of our site has been completed.  However, there is still a carved-out area where work will be carried out hopefully tomorrow to construct the guest toilet and ante room.  This work is basically a modification for aesthetic appeal.


PROGRESS REPORT AS AT 30TH JUNE

Excavation, setting out of units, strip footing and foundation walling has been done to 100% completion. Backfilling and infilling work is 90% complete.

Let me reiterate my total commitment to this project and assure you that I am working around the clock to make sure we get the best in the most affordable way.  Surely this has not been a sole effort but a team effort and your support and prayers.

Again, thank you all for your support and understanding.

PROJECT PICTORIAL - 12TH - 30TH JUNE 2011