₦airaland Forum

Kimiwa:
I forgot to cc the greats and others not mentioned etc
Cc: next, saydfact, spyder880, Oga Hajj, Oga Egun

I believe this is exactly what you’re looking for.

We did 1.1m here and I’m pretty sure the roof in the picture you shared is about 1.5m

I’ll work on it by tomorrow and revert. Thanks.

Kimiwa:
Like someone said earlier on the thread, I'm trying to count my cost lest I become a laughing stock.

This won’t cost you fortune. Do you mind if I give contact of a man who do amazing roofs half the price

He can give you clean lines and excellent finish.

Pic 3 & 4 are not my project but I referred him to the client who’s also a Nairalander. One of the finest attic roof window around.

Nnamdi McBasil 08062444363 (Remember to mention Bosun for 5% discount)

Mjolnir:
abeg, mek una chook mouth, ogas in the house

If you think the cost of wood is too much, discuss with him about buying the materials yourself at your own preferred sawmill.

If he will climb up and come down, I think 80k is not too bad for a renovation job.

Here’s my piece of advice:

1. Negotiate with him and be upfront with him about your budget and projections.
2. Don’t assume it’ll be cheaper. Renovation is never cheap.
3. No builder has X-Ray vision when it comes to renovations. Brace up to spend more.

mufutau55:
Not a bad detailed explanations... I wish I knew all these then, the more reason I contracted it out.
So in summary.. can you give me in details how much the 420sqm would have cost... excluding the land filling and landscaping. Thank you.

Hajji M

Estimate for 6cm 420sqm Double T Interlock

Materials for casting

No of Days: 14 Days

* 45 tons of stone dust
130 bags of cement (+ first layer/wastage)
50l of diesel + oil mixture @ 25,000
1 bag of pigment @ N50,000
1,000 Moulds (rentage) @ N5

Materials for laying

No of Days: 4 Days

50kg of casting leather (Nylon) @ N60,000
* 45 tons of stone dust
Compactor Rental (2 days) @ N15,000
5 bags of Cement @ N2600

Labour for casting, screeding & laying @ N600


Total = N1,100,000 (+/- N2600 per sqm)


*pricing varies based on location.


Edit:

Please kindly confirm the price of stone dust from your local supplier.


#brabusinterlockDIY

mufutau55:
Yes Sir. The cost includes sand filling, materials, bricklayers, levellings, kerbs, bricks, contractor supervision fees etc. Everything that completes the job. I had some granites, bricks left. Oga Aventures was my Contractor.
Like I said, if I was on ground I would have saved some cost.
Before I forgot, it includes 50k to repair my gate that the drunken Chekitaut driver broke when delivering stonedust, and I never recover the cost for the damages.

Hajji M.

Direct costs are usually the largest slice of the cost-component pie eating deep into most homeowners’ pocket. Cutting them goes a long way toward getting more projects completed.

I think the aim of this platform abi thread should be (moving forward) to explore ways to help homeowners reduce direct costs.

The one that quickly come to mind is “bulk buying” abi na cooperative buying
I paid very small amount of money for casting and laying of the interlocks because of the volume involved. I told the subcontractor “I can keep you busy for the next 2 months if you’re willing to accept XYZ amount.”

Allowing subcontractors to use pricing methodologies that don’t accurately reflect reality is a sure way to overpay.

How can I pay N4,000 per sqm and still pay same for 1,000sqm? Costs aren’t linear na. The price for the first sqm can (should) never be the same for the last.

Using simplistic mathematical pricing models benefits the contractors rather than lowering costs for the homeowners.

I once sold sandcrete block N120 per block when everyone is selling N180. In my ongoing project, I sold N150 and they were 100% better what we bought N220

How?

The first client have a dredging site. I have a dump truck and electric block moulder. So I decided to produce the blocks at a cheaper rate as a complimentary service. I’m the builder and I’m not buying sand the same rate as everyone else.
Why should I kill the project in order to satisfy my craving?

The second client needed about 17,000 blocks for his project and I know we can save up to 500k if I use my machine.

The same thing applies to formwork. If there’s one thing I hate most on project, it’s the amount spent on formwork purchase on individual projects. That’s why I’ve invested heavily on formwork.

If homeowners/owner-builders find away to cut some of these direct costs, we might actually have find a way to build affordable houses in Nigeria.

I’m never bothered about rising cost of cement and steel, I’m bothered about paying more for lack of creative/innovative solutions.

Crunching the Numbers

Here are few things I paid attention to while executing the project.

_____
I bought full 30 tons of stone dust N75k. I know most people will buy a lot more expensive in some areas in Lagos. I later got to know I was cheated at the end of the project. I got 70k per 30 tons truck.

In Ikorodu, I got the same quantity for N105k and even more expensive in Ajah.

More reason, I want to buy another dump truck now.

_____
Mould rental per day is around N3 per mould. In 30 days, I would have paid over N90 per mould.

N90 x 3000 moulds = N270,000

New mould is sold N90 - N120 (6cm), N120 - N150 (8cm)

So I decided to buy 3000 moulds instead of renting. Just imagine the huge savings.

_____
Plate compactor is sold N180k and the cost of hiring is 15k per day. I need it for about 20 days. That means I’d have paid 300k renting a 180k machine. So I decided to buy one.

Throughout the project, we were never in a rush to use the compactor.


brb.


#brabusinterlockDIY #compactor

On interlock, here are important things to note:

For 6cm thick mold only

36 pcs of stones make 1 sqm using Double T
36 pcs of stones make 1 sqm using Zenith shape
50 pcs of stones make 1 sqm using “I”

30 tons of Stone Dust will produce 280 sqm of 6cm thick stone

1 bag of cement will produce 3.5sqm of stone.

Good pigment to add colour is sold +/- N50,000 per bag.

Labour charges varies from 500 - 700 per sqm for casting and laying. This depends on your bargaining power. Some people will even charge you more if they notice you have no idea.

Compactor rentage is between 10,000 - 15,000 per day. I have my compactor tho used for the project. https://www.facebook.com/199049746782483/posts/3778095355544553/?vh=e


Don’t mind the heavy guy posing on the job


#brabusinterlockDIY #compactor

n3xt:
I recently completed almost 6,000sqm of 8cm thick interlock bricks of the same shape.

Here are videos of the work during the production and laying of the stones:

https://www.facebook.com/NextHome.Builders/videos/2684732538273776/?vh=e&extid=GdaWPdNyCrhQoUTC

https://www.facebook.com/NextHome.Builders/videos/594784191346800/?vh=e&extid=bNvLbBx7vN13tm3L

https://www.facebook.com/NextHome.Builders/videos/504354486884312/?vh=e&extid=cmz6SMsK9Cpcf8OP

https://www.facebook.com/NextHome.Builders/videos/158045835627550/?vh=e&extid=arRPgXGyVe7c83vD

The project was executed within 56 days and we used over 53 trucks of Stone Dust. I also bought 3,000 8cm thick mould used for the project from a company in Eleyele, Ibadan.

#brabusinterlockDIY

mufutau55:
It has been aabout two years since I did mine last.
It contracted to Aventures... even though we have other expenses that arise, I will see if he can give us the accurate cost per sqm.
The stages I did mine was:
1. Bricklayers clears and manually levelled the yard and laid all the kerbs for landscaping.
2. We hired moulder to mould the interlocking bricks to our expectation and colors.
3. We hired the layers to lay and set the interlocking bricks.
4. We bought all the materials of laterite sand for levelling, stone dust for moulding the bricks and also to pour on top of the latterite, then plastic to lay on top. Some bags of cements. The stonedust mix with low cement ration was mix and poured on top of the interlocking when finished. I remembered doing about 420sqm in total. I will check total cost and update later.
The cost will be much more now due to rising cost of materials. Thanks.

As per my record. Total money spent was N1,585,000 for 420sqm which is around N3,774 per sqm.

Hajji M.

This is 6cm thickness. N3,774 per sqm is way too much. You can put a call to any interlocking company. They can never charge that amount for casting and laying even if you’re giving them the whole contract.

I recently completed almost 6,000sqm of 8cm thick interlock bricks of the same shape.

It’s way cheaper than N3,000 per sqm.

Most people don’t use 8cm thickness. I’ll share the breakdown of material requirement shortly.


Edit:
Now, I understand why your figure went up. The cost includes sandfilling of the compound. I stopped counting when we poured over 200 trips of filling sand into the compound.


_______
I just got my ID back from Nairaland spambot.



#brabusinterlockDIY

QSFemi:
You're right, boss.

It is possible even for large projects that only specifications will be used to form the basis of construction and costing.

When I was forwarded the ceiling (Pic 1), the client asked “Can we achieve something like this in Nigeria?”
I just smile and immediately sent him Pic 2 to show him how it was achieved. It’ll be finished with metallic paint.

Construction specifications are a part of the construction contract. They detail the work, materials, and installation required to complete a project. They are a subcontractor's field guide on what materials to use, how to install them, and the desired level of quality.

Without it, there’ll always be conflicts.

yinkaoke:
Good morning sirs/ ma's n engineers, l got the below quotes for Pop, help me check if ok, and what are d important questions to ask so as to have quality materials and best pricing. Thank u all


P.O.P ceiling quotation for
only sitting room and dining with balcony

35 square meter ×#4,700 per meter with materias

all Grand total is =#164,509. With materials...
_________________________
You will provide water and scaffolding

If you check around, you can still see lower price Maybe 4,000 or even lower

Go for simple designs.

KolaShangOne:
How are you guys coping with this spike in cost of iron rods? Bought 12mm for 2300 some weeks ago, bought for 2800 few days ago... Yesterday it was 2900!!!!

The safest thing to do in time like this is to allow the owners buy materials.

Aluminum industry was even crazier. The price of materials was skyrocketing at alarming rate.

hmohammed:
Oga, I am not competing with you. I just completed my 5 bed duplex on 300m2 and I spent within this range. No vex abeg.

Really? Let’s assume you use only 40% of the land for the building (120sqm +/-)

- How many blocks were used?
- How much was spent on foundation? (groundworks, sandfilling, reinforcements, DPC)
- How much was spent on first floor slab? (Formwork, reinforcement, M&E, concrete)
- How much was spent on roofing? (Woodwork, Roofing sheet and parapet if there is)

I’m very interested in this.

Focusmind:
Bros, you know you are a master in this game. What you have there is more of creativity than ceiling. Going out of norm. It is still a fantastic design and uncommon. A pure art work which still fits in with my taste appeal.

The problem here is that it may be difficult to source the right material to replicate that design and if you should use anyhow material, they whole thing will loose the appeal. The client may now be like, "bros, this is not what I ordered for". But if you have the materials here available, go ahead, it is a masterpiece artwork.

Defining what you want is the first step to success.

Knowing how to get from where you are to the red big “X” sitting over you destination. The more specific you can be, the more easier you can find the path to your “X”

QSFemi:
In other words, Quantity Surveyors are trained to assess cost of M & E installations in buildings. The only setback here is lack of M & E drawings or specification notes to form the basis of such cost assessment during estimating stage. For many private clients, there's hardly any M & E installations drawings for their proposed project. I do not know who to blame for that, apparently, I cannot blame the clients.

QSFemi mentioned (quoted above) specification notes and it seems like something very unimportant That small note makes the big difference.

Most complex designs seems like “a big thing” for us here in Nigeria because we don’t even have a name for the materials used and we hardly do research.

Common “acoustic diffuser” can’t be an issue for me and getting the shapes only require some mathematical calculations. The materials used is cedar and black walnut.

michlins:
you later got this exactly?

It’s a work in progress. I started this 11am yesterday.

A lot of these small stuffs aren’t rocket science.

Focusmind:
My kind of design. Simplicity at its peak. I hate it when people do all these over designs on POP with all these useless rainbow colours. These seems common in Nigeria builds.

What you have there is what they call contemporary minimalist POP design. The exact flat shape and edge gaps design I like.

People use over design to kill their POP making them to loose aesthetics appeal. The simpler and straighter a POP design is, the better. But what you have their looks more like fibre board ceiling than POP.

Thumbs up to the Architects. Very modern but that kind of house will require constant AC. Person no go stay for that glass house without AC.

I’m planning this. I hope I’m not over designing

By the way, it’s just blank plasterboard, painted black with some creative elements (made locally).

omanzo02:
Way to go....being innovative and creative!

I checked Nairaland and many other sites online. I didn’t see anywhere pier/pillar cap was mentioned. I guess it’s part of those things we class luxury (meant for the selected few).

Well since my client specifically made request for it (Pic: Proposed Gate Design), I’ve got no choice than to make it happen at the most reasonable cost.

I believe 5k not 50k is a good price to pay for this.

So many things are possible as long as you don't know they’re impossible. - Mildred D. Taylor

Pier Cap Update

I’ll be glad to sell 5k per pcs on Jiji so more people who wish to use same in their build but couldn’t afford it can now buy.

I’m working with a 70 year old welder and Baba knew exactly how to get it done without worries.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGiVg4-zEpE

#experience

It’s well!

Major points rehashed for emphasis.

See my signature tho.

n3xt:
I think he’s talking about field experience which still remain a highly desirable experience by clients and employers alike. This can come from anyone (Builder, QS, Architect, or even property investor). Some homeowners even know much more than most of their supervisors nowadays.

Your work experience can show a potential client whether you can handle tough working environments, meet deadlines, manage complex projects and work well within a team, your certifications on the other hand display an individuals’ depth of understanding of the subjects taught in school. Remember some subjects are bought too

I’d rather give my job to an illiterate plumber who have successfully installed over 3,000 houses in Lagos than the one who have an advanced certificate in plumbing and mechanics but without experience.

Let’s come home.

When you go to most mixed-use developments around in town, you’ll still see that it’s those Baba Jide/Baba Yisa the experienced plumbers (called agbalagba plumber) that get the big jobs done.

So I see nothing wrong in an architect learning or working under a QS, especially if the QS is the “agbalagba” in the industry.

mrsteel:
A QS lead a structural engr?
For bungalow project abi
Building, architecture & engineering (civil/structures), do share similar courses in school & are very related, but not with QS. How many course did u share with QS students from ur 200 level to final year as an archi student?

I think he’s talking about field experience which still remain a highly desirable experience by clients and employers alike. This can come from anyone (Builder, QS, Architect, or even property investor). Some homeowners even know much more than most of their supervisors nowadays.

Your work experience can show a potential client whether you can handle tough working environments, meet deadlines, manage complex projects and work well within a team, your certifications on the other hand display an individuals’ depth of understanding of the subjects taught in school. Remember some subjects are bought too

I’d rather give my job to an illiterate plumber who have successfully installed over 3,000 houses in Lagos than the one who have an advanced certificate in plumbing and mechanics but without experience.

Let’s come home.

When you go to most mixed-use developments around in town, you’ll still see that it’s those Baba Jide/Baba Yisa the experienced plumbers (called agbalagba plumber) that get the big jobs done.

So I see nothing wrong in an architect learning or working under a QS, especially if the QS is the “agbalagba” in the industry.

n3xt:
Pls anyone who know where I can get Pier Cap or concrete sphere (pic shown below) should please share with me before I go DIY.

I was offered 45k per pcs on Jiji and I don’t want to believe the person is really selling a piece at that ridiculous amount. I don’t see myself paying 45k for less than 40kg concrete.

So I decide to DIY the pier cap and it’s going to be lot of fun.

I intend to achieve Pic 1. using the ball attached to a water tank float valve ball (pic 2 below) as my concrete mold.

I got a 25mm water tank float valve (pic 3 & 4) with a 300mm diameter ball which is just perfect for the pier cap. My welder is currently helping to reinforce the plastic to prevent buckling.

I just can’t imagine me paying 50k for a pier cap I’m sure I can produce up to 30 pcs with the 50k.

More updates later.

emordiuche:
I think the architecture in this estate is very impressive. The use of space and the finishing. What do you guys think? check it out here

Simplicity does it.

No extra fine POPs. Just clean lines and slats.

Nice one.

ChiefSupplier55:
White brick fesign

How much?

ChiefSupplier55:
Shower mixer tap

How much?

cjfbn:
My people, please find attached an estimate of wires given to me by my electrician.
This is for a three room apartment. I think this is too much.
Please advice.

Maybe he’s a professional.

I’m spending 800k on a duplex plus a 2 bed apartment. The wiring covers the following:

- 3 living room
- 2 kitchen
- 10 toilet (8 with water heater)
- 8 large rooms
- 735sqm Fence with 22 pillar lights (inside/outside)
- 2 ante room
- Ancillary areas (4 balconies and more)

Location: Ibadan

Installation charge: 70k pere.

oluwaseyi0:
thanks for the response

it's 30 by 120

You can have a perfect 2 unit of 2 bed with ample space.

A good architect can modify this for you. Check here: https://www.nairaland.com/2646238/exclusive-twenty-two-2-bedroom/1#38791336

Pls anyone who know where I can get Pier Cap or concrete sphere (pic shown below) should please share with me before I go DIY.

I was offered 45k per pcs on Jiji and I don’t want to believe the person is really selling a piece at that ridiculous amount. I don’t see myself paying 45k for less than 40kg concrete.

omanzo02:
There are different grade of quality roofing felt.... the good thing is the lowest standard will get the job done with warranty or guarantee on it. In case of failure due to production error you are free to exchange it or ask your money back without hassle and most products have exclusive 2 years guarantee after purchase.
The product standard has be set by the EU so every country or importers can't go less, The Chinese businesses don't dare misbehave by bringing in rubbish or substandard product, there will be consequences....Talking about standard the Germans always set the pace with constant innovation while others try to catch up. That is the beauty of the competition. But generally most products undergo upgrade every 2 year.

I believe you’re not talking naija here. The common grade in the market is a complete sh*t

omanzo02:
All product are standardised here so fake product hardly find their way into the market. A role of bitumen sheet or felt of 7.5m cost an average of €61/28k.

When I saw the original felt, I cannot but shout “Father Lawd!”

“Standard Organisation of Nigeria” is just a joke.

EgunMogaji2:
I’ve noted Tower for the aluminum. Thanks.

Do you have close up pictures of this area arrowed? That’s the part giving me fits.

If all else fails I might just do a concrete deck.

I do. I just have to check my old posts.

I’ll share once I get it.

qdlvy:
Really like what you're doing in this build. Do you have a thread for this build? If not, do you mind creating one?

Thank you. I don’t have a dedicated thread for the project on Nairaland.

You can check for pic updates on this build here:
https://nexthomebuilds.boards.net/thread/10/construction-journal-024-nexthome?page=1

Or here: https://www.facebook.com/199049746782483/posts/1463771010310344/?d=n

I stopped creating new threads since 2016
Maybe I’d resume by 2023 when the official Brabus ID is back.