₦airaland Forum

segcymoor:
Well, I did not belong to those categories.........

I guess that means no advice for those who fall into the category.

babalose:
@brabus.....even if the foundation is 2m high and everything around is submerged, isn't that an island? The occupant will have to keep inflated boat in the store. I remember I once told you I will have an inflated boat in my house

I'm asking this because this can happen to anyone, anytime soon.

30% of Coop Villa remain flooded till this evening. I'm sure you'll agree there's good planning and good design and development in that estate. Yet, it still went under water. Don't even mention VGC. A visit to VGC (Home of Our Vice President) will give you an insight of what we are up against in not too distant future.


I am asking the Pros in the house.

segcymoor:
Tacoma! Which model
Toyota Tacoma 2003 is specially designed for this purpose.


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Most rugged machine!

Oga what will you do if you found water hitting the DPC level of your foundation after due consideration of the road level?

segzy14:
Guy no be small thing yesterday ooo, even my Tacoma dey swim but my 4wd help me overcome am oo

Wetin you go do if you found your 1m high foundation below water level?

That great day is coming when all Lekki resident will understand they were living inside water.

mufutau55:
I will ever be glad to hear that. We all need salvation.

Hajji M.

Hajji, you really don't know Brabus.

Just about 30 minutes ago, one of my client here that we have heated argument on her project which we did between 2011 and 2013 called me for a project after leaving me an email to feel my pulse.

I replied and asked her to call my line. She greeted and I replied.

She then asked "Aren't you surprised to receive a call from me after all that happened" I quickly cut in "after all that happened yesterday." Then I say "Hey mama, today is a new day what's up for grab"
She said "I was discussing with my sister about a plan to do XYZ and the only that came to my mind is yours and I'll like to know if you'll consider this because you already knew my style - what works and what doesn't."

The past is past. Nobody can ever find me there even if they keep searching till eternity. Do you know why? It's because I'm quick to forgive and let go so that I can enjoy my life in peace. I told the madam that if you're my wife and there's an issue "do you think I'll spend all my life fighting it or move on with my life." I don't know how comfortable I'll be sulking all the days of my life over what can never be undone.



Brabus

Many respect for leadership style on this forum. E o ni d'agba iya o.

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Lightweight Steel Roof Construction - We are live now!

Materials got delivered 8:45pm this night. Fabrications to be done on-site and off-site.

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NextHome Sand Delivery | K-024


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptYDLwKat2Q

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write2obi:
I asked what you think about flat roofs considering how hot it's usually gets in Nigeria, what are the advantage and disadvantages of a flat roof over a high roof?.

Pls gimme some time to tidy up today's work. I'll feedback on why flat roof is my choice on certain type of property.

Regards.

Brabus.

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Off-takers Wanted!! Selling Browne Mews by NextHome.


Good opportunity to pick your finishes. Call 0700NEXTHOME or 08023429122

To view the day-to-day pics of construction of Browne Mews by NextHome, please visit https://www.nairaland.com/2745049/construction-journal-browne-mews-nexthome

lastpage:
Lastpage!

Brabus, your matter don enter prayer point!
You will keeping getting better, by fire by force! Holllyyyy-Ghoost fire! .....F-I-R-E!

Amen!!!!


From Browne Mews by NextHome | 4 x 4 Bed Terrace Duplex

ajibsca:
Knowledge they say is power. The whites are decades ahead of us in terms of technology and machinery. It's time we start breaking beyond bounds in Nigeria.

I'm sure if we collate all the ideas shared on this thread alone, one can make a saving of over a million naira from any project.

But how easy can this be when 2/3 of the thread was used on negative energies to spread ignorance.

That's the big difference between the whites and the blacks.

The same thing applies to our attitude towards governance. We are super good at pointing out errors (negative energies) of each government without harping on ways to make a positive difference.

I hope and pray that this thread and many more like this will bring something positive to Naija construction industry that we will all love to be named with.

lastpage:
For example, their Pillars and designs in those days were pure and solid concrete mix.... nowadays, we have found ways to just do a "wrap-around" of the same design, with a hollow or void centre!

In doing so, we have reduced cost and weight. E be like say we sharp pass them, abi?


Lastpage!

How have we reduced weight and cost?

The pillars of those days were designed with clay/mud. No special reinforcement in most of them. Fewer cement just for the rendering alone and yet none of our designs nowadays can match up with them.

Until I can see someone who can match up the design below nowadays without breaking bank. Otherwise, we are no match for the oldies.

gbadexy:
You are very correct. Equipments like the plaster sprayer and concrete polisher are things that I expect to be used here already. I'm surprised it's not common yet.
In fact I've researched and toyed with the idea of procuring them for service rendering a couple years before this thread but for the capital requirements.
Nigeria is full of opportunities and the huge technological difference between the foreign countries and Africa will always make importing trending technology over there create new markets here.
I'm certain most clients would prefer a stained and polished floor to tiles when properly done.

You're on my hotlist. Creative thoughts from you!

@ lastpage,

One day I'll be happy to showcase some of the most beautiful architectural designs of the 50s - 80s on this thread. It's all in my dads collection and they're lovely.

Funny enough, this old guys too do modelling but it's always an artistic impression back then. Lovely stuffs!

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ajibsca:
I did some thinking lately and I am of the opinion that in the future all residences in Nigeria would have to use prepaid meters which means more electricity bills according to what most people I know that use prepaid meters say.i have never used prepaid so I cant justify their assertions. Talking about diversification and trying to reduce electricity bills , i think solar heaters, solar bore hole systems and solar air conditioner systems should be embraced and explored in Nigeria by builders. Anybody with expertise in this field should educate on the pros and cons of these equipments especially the solar heating and air conditioning systems. Already I have made contacts with some Chinese firms and i'm working on its feasibility.

Not an expert but a doer. I believe by the end of 2016, I should be able to have a complete off-grid solution installed in my small crib.

The first step is the water system. Getting off grid with Shurflo Solar Pump and Protek Water Heater.

Shurflo Pump already installed.

As per the air conditioning, I'm positioned in an environment where you'll hardly feel heat because of the wraparound terraces that shields away direct sun.

This is equally a very important but often overlooked design element. There's nothing as good as natural lighting and ventilation, though we always opt for the alternatives to compensate for design mistakes.

n3xt:
1. Send-down-the-rain roof design
2. Tiles in all rooms (especially floor-to-ceiling in bathrooms)
3. Water heater in each bathroom

As per your request @ write2obi

Send-down-the-rain: As far as in me lies, there's no single moral justification for high pitched (pyramid) roofs unless you're doing such on smaller footprint. Even at that, this is not recommended for larger buildings and buildings with complex shapes and not in areas highly susceptible to high wind or hurricane.

Extra cost for little or no value. I guess I'm looking at things from "function over form" POV. If this is in far away Canada where it is snowy, I'll be quick to say yes this is pretty cool roof type to choose cause it easily shed off accumulation of snow and extra weights on the building.

But like we all agree, one man's meat is another man's poison. So long it fits the owners taste and budget, it's a welcome development.

I'll rather choose that figure to get a room in the attic and make the pyramid roof useful at least.
A pic of a bathroom in the attic was posted some few weeks back. The roof is also send down the rain and he had a room, a library and a bathroom inside the roof on the 2nd floor.


Floor-to-ceiling tiles: Why? Tiles do not stop water so don't be sold into using tiles from floor-to-ceiling in other to prevent moisture or how do I put this?
There are moisture resistant paints that does that and you're never stucked with one permanent look for life. Trends and styles will change over time, it's more easier to paint over bare walls than to remove and replace rustic tiles.

Now let's ask ourself a simple question "Why pay more for a design element that gets you stucked with a permanent view at an extra cost to you?" Mostly, the answer is because that what most people do in their houses.

Too much over tiles in houses makes them look like an overly design build to me. Keep it simple. Apart from the areas where your water line actually passed through and to prevent splash. Tiles shouldn't be used to replace other materials in the house.

Water Heater in Naija: Another form over function. I'm for functionality anyday. Instant water heater and central heating system will reduce the extra cost drastically. Come to think of it, we only need this during the rainy seasons. Had it been that we use it to prepare Eba and other edibles, I could still manage to reason it out.

Worse still, you'll see some Big Boys put one in the visitors toilet. Sheer waste of hard earned fund.
90.9% of water heaters in Nigeria are hardly used.


Pics:

Pyramid Vaulted Ceiling

A simple bath. No dedicated water heater. Non enclosed wall. Yet no maintenance

Cavity Walls in other projects | Total Respect of Occupants' Privacy


We always consider the occupants first. Remember, you're not likely to live inside the building. Assume the tenants position and respect all their wishes.


Browne Mews and Diamond Semi-detached (with courtyard).

gabbytabby:
It all starts from the architectural design. A few years back I was comparing blocks needed with Brabus and the walls seperating two flats his had more than double mine. My question finding where we can save cost while still meeting our objective as always no compromise on safety and structural integrity.

Piecemeal generally will add to the cost of the build. Set a tentative completion date having in mind external omonile and other disturbances.

Find 1-3 critical workers consider PRP payable on completion. Are you in a habit of saying what you mean and doing what you say cos if they do not believe you will pay on completion then it means nothing.

I will complete tomorrow as off to bed now.

Madam, security and privacy is one of the key selling points in most of my builds.

When it's detached, you are completely on your own with your family. No shared facilities.

When it is attached, I always use the cavity wall to achieve the same thing that party wall will do in detached buildings. People want a sense of privacy where they live.
I wouldn't know if people actually place emphasis on this during house hunt. But 99% of properties that get occupancy rate are those with fewer shares facilities. People always think of meters, water tank etc as shared facility. No, the parking space, the kids play area no matter how small, the available space for laundry, etc always determine the type of tenant a building will attract.


Attached below is the construction pics of the reserve by NextHome. I can save a few bucks by eliminating some walls from the design but live to deal with natural day lighting and security/privacy issues amongst occupants. Maybe 500 or more blocks and that's it.

Now each occupant in my co-joined build had separated entrances, separated exits, courtyard, separated parking spaces, separated terraces - yet they live in a building that's not completely detached.

People will definitely pay more for the little extra comfort and not the separated meters etc.

gabbytabby:
My last build 1 paid for 3 or 4 days of design (15-20k) not including windows and it makes it stand out in the area.

Each area tends to have a ceiling rent. Find out what this is before going OTT on build cost.

My rents are below ceiling rent such that vacancy is minimal and last build were all let before they were completed.

Exactly! There's a price to pay for each build because people actually value location over the building itself.

There's no commercial build I've done on this thread that hasn't achieve more than 30% ROI in the first year even the lockup shops that I constructed in IBA. They were already occupied before the completion.

One thing that I've found out is that Building is an art that must be learnt. It goes beyond raising walls and plumbing lines.

One may find it very interesting that Plot 10AB (a single unit) was sold at 80% completion for N55m giving almost 40% profit to the owner. I actually mean uncompleted building.

If I choose to sell the reserve now, I'll be making over 200% profit on that build just within the first 2 years (we commence work in October 2014) because the value of land alone in the area has gone up by 250% within a year.

All this as a result of good planning. And a strategic one for that matter!

There's no one to impress. Go gaga on the basics. A spatial space in the compound, good design, large living room (open plan design works best), good kitchen, always make provision for the maid no matter how small (in build-to-sell or build-to-let properties in prime areas), high ceiling, good windows/doors (basic ones), good electrical fittings/fixtures, good toilets/bath, basic tiles, simple burglar proof/railings (slat works magic), POP ceilings.

For commercial builds, keep it to maximum of 4 families on a single plot. 700 x 4 gives 2800. This is better than 600 x 6 which gives 3600 with so much to worry about (cost-to-build, cost-to-manage and ROI). Make provision for good parking/play area.

Research have it that MultiDwellings and Multifloors are by far the most difficult properties to sell and they are often sold at figures lesser than advertised.