₦airaland Forum

johnson232:
nice thread i must say... but sometimes it isnt the architect fault's, some people want everything they see in their building, when they really dont have the money..

We will discuss that aspect later on another thread and this wil form a communique to the authorities/government on who should be held responsible for construction failures.

New Topic: Construction Woes | Who's to Blame?

4. Design doesn’t meet the requirements of the Building Code for Approval.

This is so common in most builds nowadays. Clients wants to maximize the use of their (crazily expensive) lands by building every space available on their plot. Thus building too houses with rooms that are too small, driveway too inadequate, waste water drainages too little and more.
This happens when the client is imposing his design views on the architect. Ordinarily, any architect should know how to design to building codes.

3. Design work takes longer than expected to produce

If the design takes so much time to produce on paper, it'll take twice or more time to construct such building. This is a fact!
The simpler it is, the better for everyone involved.

It's advisable to avoid complex details in residential builds.

2. Client doesn’t like the design but it fits the brief

Incomplete scope, inability to explain in details the must-haves and nice-to-have features of the proposed building may lead to this. My advice to prospective homeowner is to try and be explicit in their design requirements. What WOWs them should be discussed and what turns them off should equally be mentioned while sharing the brief with design architects.

This helps to prevent headaches during and after construction.

At times, the designs gets too busy and the client happens to be a minimalist. So there's conflict.

Yet another design over function problem that normally emanate between architects and homeowners.

omowolewa:
Nice.
Insist on good materials, whenever substandard are used, it cost twice to re fix.

Nice one omowolewa.

To add to this I'll say people should be mindful of how ORDERING AND DELIVERY OF MATERIALS are managed on site.

I used to have the feeling that timely procurement of materials would aid completion date but now I know that a late delivery, and incomplete load, damaged materials can dramatically slow the building cycle costing not only time but money.

Success Tips:

1. Always have supplies delivered a day early to the site.
2. Check the delivery for accuracy and compliance.
3. For a small project, work with a smaller company. Forget the big names! The newbies suppliers are still searching for clients and would likely want to impress you.

1. Architectural design is out of client’s budget.

Many times, an ambitious design from an overzealous architect leads to budget overrun. Some fuzzy details that are not functional are introduced to make a house beautiful but not necessary structurally sound.
This leads to budget overrun.

Problems with architectural design work can affect any stage of a building project so it’s important there is good communication, an understanding of expectations and plans that can be clearly understood by all and sundry.

In this topic, I'll be sharing typical problems in the design of building work.
Pls endeavour to share your own experiences.

Enjoy!

8. Do-It-Yourself but Build-It-Right!

We all want good structures at a great savings but...

Nowadays, almost everyone claims to be an expert in house construction and people are ready to accept opinion of any one as “ expert” opinion even if he's a specialist in one the so-many aspects of building!

I've read on the internet many articles where 'experts' are sharing tips and design methods on how to build a low-cost houses. When I read all these 'too-good-to-be-true' articles, I keep wondering what the true definition of low-cost is.

Could low-cost mean cost saving on material or reduced labour/overhead? I've seen so many articles recommending saving on materials cost at the expense of increasing labour. 'Low cost indeed".

What's is low cost construction?

Low cost construction is the use of appropriate design and carefully selected materials and labour (with professional guidance) with the aim of bringing down cost of construction and cutting down excesses which is a major cost of increase.

It isn't the use of 1 bag of cement to produce 50 bricks. Neither is it, the use of 8mm instead of 16mm.

Be Guided!

7. Keep good records on site, somewhere safe and accessible to everyone (plans, specification documents, manual, building plan, record of work with dates). You could also keep a brief build diary to note key dates and deliveries.

You'll need this to keep tab on progresses made. This helps you to make firm decision to slow down when you're running too fast or buckle up when you're working against time.

6. Involve the Right People and Be Involved

Involve the right people for your project, so that you get the right results. Some tasks might be simple and others might require you to use licensed building professionals or qualified specialists.
Decide who will be the project manager, whether it's You (the homeowner), builder, architect or maybe someone experienced in construction will be dedicated to the role (the size of your project will probably determine how much work is involved and how much experience is required). The right person will keep the project running, coordinate subcontractors, keep up with requirements and stick to the budget.

Unless you're a Politician with too much money, the best person for the role of Project Management is You.

5. Don't make assumptions. Ask questions if you have them. Write down responses, to help everyone remember.

Be detailed!

Almost everyone want to have an idea of average build cost of their new home. But is that really possible without full information?

NO!

Guess-timate is a terrible way to budget for a home, because there are so many variables involved that the contractor may overlook or simply ignore.

Here are your cost determinants:

- Are you using top-of-the-line cabinets and appliances for your kitchen, or will mid-range or maybe standard ones do?
- Are you planning to paint the house with cheap emulsion paint or expensive stone tiles?
- How big is 'BIG' enough?
- How many floors do you want?
- What kind of shape are you building? Is it a rectangular house that minimize the materials and the labor required, or unusual shapes like octagons or trapezoid?
- What sort of flooring?
- What sort of ground are you building? Is it murky sand, hilly site, gentle slope or steep slope?

These are few pointers that can help you make rough cost calculations.

Interview at least three contractors and check their references.
Once you've found someone you like and trust, take your preliminary budget and work backwards, including the must-haves and
eliminate the nice-to-haves as money allows.

Always set aside at least 10% to 20% of the total project cost to cover last-minute changes, delays and other problems you can't foresee.


Architects and Builders aren't "Mind Readers"

"No bottom to how cheap you can build"

A home can be built with no supports, too small of a foundation, no building plan, no special windows. It can be built on solid rock, unstable soil or on water (as they do in Makoko slum).

Develop a budget, but be careful not to make it too low. Essentially, do not get too caught up in how to make your home cheaper stay focused on how to make you home a good investment.

4. Budget well! Be mindful of what should be quality upfront and areas where you can make do with cheaper alternatives. Be practical by allowing for changes and increased costs, which is inevitable in Nigeria context. Most people miss this part and stick to a budget that's not only realistic but very harmful to the project.

Be clear about your budget with your design professional (check and pick tiles, Windows, doors and everything you need based on room configuration, know their prices and work with the figures). You may need to do the same for all materials and fixtures that will make up the new house. More importantly, consider using a Professional quantity surveyor to help you determine costs.
If you're working with a builder, Avoid Guess-timates, get more than one quote. Be sure to identify exactly what the job will entail.

Remember, never walk alone.

3. Contact your local planning authority to obtain a planning permission and approval for your new build. They have a lot of information that can help you build it right especially on issues of setbacks, right of way, height restrictions, and a lot more information about the area you want to build.

This might also be the right time to conduct a physical investigation of the proposed site with your builder, architect and a soil scientist to determine the best type of foundation for your build based on experience, design and scientific approach.

You don't wanna assume at this point! Neither do you want to walk alone from this point.

Get familiar with few basic factors like the color of your wall, location of the mirror, window and doors. Let the architect show you on paper and probably demonstrate the sizes in a room. Resolve the following on paper and model drawings:

1. Furniture placement in various rooms
2. Accessories placement in kitchen and bathroom
3. Color choice for paints on different rooms
4. Color choice of the Blinds/Curtains and choice of materials for different rooms and exteriors wall color.
5. Arrangement of electrical/electronic appliances like inverters, washing machine, microwave in proper places. Most people leave the architects or the artisans to decide this for them.
6. Choice of plants to be put inside or outside your home and plants to be avoided in the building. Standard building plan ought to show all this details.
7. Many more as you deem fit.

Now that you've decided what's best for you on paper and have worked with your architect in ensuring this is done to your taste and budget. What's next?

2. Understand the nittygritties of constructing a house. Get acquainted with the building stages so you can prepare ahead, know what's happening next, understand timeframes, be aware of the dependencies and meet your obligations as quick as possible. Take some time to get your design finalised. Do not rush! Some times, it may take up to two - three months to finalise on the plan based on your choices. Give the build another six months or more and watch every stage of work.

What do I need to understand? Read on..

These simple tips and many others that will be shared here by successful homeowners are meant to help your building project run well and ensure you know how to build a quality house.

1. Plan well, thinking about how the build will work for you now and in the future (and for future owners).

But How? Read on..

Spotlight | ITORI

The Next BIG thing in the news.

Lagos - Calabar National Railway Station
D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic
Dangote Cement (6 million/annum capacity plant in Itori in Ogun State)
Ofada/VEETEE Rice Mill

Just yesterday, a 26km Concrete Road built by Dangote Group as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project was commissioned by Fashola.

Thinks can only get better with time. #EyesOnItori


#Brabus

Play. Relax. Meet. Work. | Inspired Space by NextHome


A stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean from the 3rd level in a well-planned private escape pad for the master and his goons. Also accessible from the pool and the wraparound terrace. I just can't wait to have a two-level party on this masterpiece.


Brabus.

A two-section double volume master suite in making

Am I going to eat the missing column?

@ FastShipping, I'm outta here.

Let those who are experts say what could lead to the error if all columns were already in place at foundation stage.

OnetimeOnly:
1.Did you take responsibility? Yes...grudgingly
2.did you fix it or offer to fix . No....

I really don't have your time and won't be dragged in the mud with you...tigers can't change their stripes.....bye

Did I have the opportunity? Was the error found pointed to me and I refute before the alarm was raised?
When I wanted to visit, did you not read the clients comment?

I'll show you here the pic of the same building with all the columns in their rightful positions before the substructure. What went wrong?

OnetimeOnly:
Brabus. Brabus. Brabus.
Do not try and hide with long epistles. You were the main contractor on the structure of that project.subcontractors under your supervision made mistakes and YOU are responsible, but did you accept it? We all know the answer. You did not.....just dancing around the issue

I know we are talking sense now. Did I accept what I took responsibility for even right here, right now. Unless you want to say oversight is impossible in construction.

Now if I may have attention of those who want to know what led to the issue. Then I can do a better job of explaining than exchanging words with Dangotes mate.

Anyone care to know? Two people will do. Then I'll explain what led to the issue. Maybe one or two people will learn from it.

______
If you're talking about misaligned columns, breaking of beams to install pipes, then it's not me cos I'm already off the project. Even the iron bender who worked on the first floor is not my man.

OnetimeOnly:
If they were fired, did you as the main contractor make amends for the mistakes made under your supervision??

Respect. The most unfortunate thing is that these errors were discovered by another contractor who striked out the boards from the pillars.

If I am lucky to get the pictures you'll see the pic of the columns during formwork stage, you'll hardly notice the error because all the blocks were fully covered.

My part of the blame was that I didn't check well enough before approving the casting and no one told me anything.

Sure, it was an oversight but a simple error that can be corrected by reinstalling the column or starting a new one afresh.

Unfortunately, I saw it first here.

Say that to Dangote your mate. #NotMe

Let me leave you to entertain the world. Take the spotlight superhero.


Bye for now. Remember to leave me some message. Trust me I'll dump them as usual. Tag along with your strikers

agarawu23:
that was a total disaster. The bricklayer , carpenter and the supervisor should be raped

No to rape! They were all fired!! For every oversight there must be a consequence.

3 key projects supervisors on a project missed one column out of 50 or more columns.
Sure that was colossal error and everyone (including the contractor) involved had to pay for it. They were all fired.

Unfortunately, it was discovered during striking of the formwork. Maybe the correction would have been effected if the contractor found it first.

How does that make one go gaga?

The floor is yours baba. Let me see you guys do something meaningful with it!
You have 9 more hours Paper Tigers

I trust you won't disappoint me. Keep on rocking this ship while I'm away.
_________
They don't like each other yet they have something in common "Brabus"

Now, I'm busy. You can leave a your message while I'm away.

#MentionOneThingYouDidForYourCountry InternetJackBauer #Verifiable

#IwasWithMainOne

babalose:
@brabus....what will you gain from being infamous?

Nothing. Not doing anything to impress anyone.

It is just me. And I am that simple. Deal with it or leave it.

Memejem:
Mr. [s]Bragger, keep digging that hole. When will you humble yourself?

So only you employed 200 IT people. You sent many to university and built roads for a community, dug boreholes up and down and gave electricity to everyone. Spending millions on châteaus up and down and you can't afford to pay back a customer you frauded less than you claim to be worth? How does this make any logical sense?

So you can spend all this on strangers but the customers you come into contact with get paid in instalments. While you build whole villages in months. Wooooowwww. Need to call Nollywood to start a movie with your epistles.

Your lies... Chai [/s]

Cry me a river! You don't know Lagos State Planning Authorities or EFCC. I'm doing what's convenient for me. And the client accepted. So what's your headache?

I forgot to add that the first citywide WIFI in Sagamu, Abeokuta and Governors Office/Secretariat, Ogun state were done by me. That should add to your headache.

#AskThoseWhoKnow

Those are positive contribution to the nation and not some st.upid rants on faceless forum.

When I say me, check the name of the company and the name of the director that was awarded the projects.