₦airaland Forum

Oga Fhemmy,

Here is the actual step by step home building process.

Many things including, among others, the area where you are building, the design, accessibility, availability of materials, and your preference or that of the builder, determine the actual steps of building a home.

Enjoy!

1. BUY A LAND

2. DO THE PAPER WORKS (SURVEY, RATIFICATION etc)

2b. GET AN ARCHITECT TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE

2c. BUILDING PLAN APPROVAL

3. CLEAR THE SITE

4. SINK A WELL OR BOREHOLE

5. SET OUT AND BREAK THE GROUND

6. POUR FOOTINGS

7. FOUNDATION WALL

8. BACKFILL

9. INITIAL PLUMBING WORK

10. SLAB OR GERMAN FLOOR

11. BLOCK WORK TO LINTEL LEVEL

12. BEAMS, COLUMNS, ARCHES, LINTEL

13. ROOFING

14. ROUGH ELECTRICAL

15. ROUGH PLUMBING

16. INSTALL DOORS, WINDOWS FRAMING

17. INTERNAL WALL PLASTERING

18. CEILING (UPVC, POP, SUSPENDED)

19. BATHROOM WALL/FLOOR TILES

20. BEDROOM FLOORING

21. PAINTING

22. KITCHEN COUNTER TOPS

23. INSTALL WARDROBES/CABINETS

24. FIT BATHROOM AND KITCHEN FAUCETS

25. FINISH ELECTRICALS

26. FINISH PLUMBING

27. INSTALL DOORS AND WINDOWS

28. CLEAN UP

29. EXTERNAL WALL PLASTERING

31. PAVE WALKWAY, DRIVEWAY

32. LANDSCAPING

33. FINAL PAINTING

34. SEPTIC TANK AND SOAKAWAY

35. FENCE AND GATEHOUSE

36. GATE

37. FINISH LANDSCAPING

38. TEST PLUMBING

39. TEST ELECTRICALS

40. MOVE-IN.

BUILD ROUTES

The build route you choose will affect the cost of your building project.

Here are the different build routes:

Build Route 1:DIY

You can reduce the cost of your building project by 30 - 40% choosing to build by yourself. Research has it that 40% of build cost is spent on labour. If you can substitute labour costs with DIY and employing help with the rest of the building work - you'll save cost.

Best Route if you are planning a small project without a deadline. Not a good option if you are building more than a floor.
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Build Route 2: Direct Labour
In this route, you can build using artisans hired directly and giving them daily payment.

Best Route if you are building a house with little funds and if you do not have the time to directly administer and supervise the project (as required in Build Route 1 above).
In this route, you'll need to employ a site supervisor.

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Build Route 3: Contractor

This build route involves using a main contractor to build the main structure to roofing stage, with the remaining work being undertaken by subcontractors. The quote you'll receive on this type of build route will be higher as more responsibilities will rest on the shoulder of the contractor.

Best Route if you have no idea of how to kickstart or manage a construction project. The only advice here is 'Be Involved'

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Build Route 4: Build Company
This route involves building using a build company which takes care of everything from planning to landscaping of the finished house, with little or no involvement from the home owner.

Best route if you are planning a big project.

LSPDC RENO UPDATE:

Where are we? Here's a sneak peek into the Interior Detailing of the apartment. New responsibility given to us by our client. Coordination, supervision and installation.
We won't be blogging about this for privacy reason.

Staircase and entryway remodeling is all the rage these days. This is primarily because more and more people are waking up to the idea of making these areas the focal point of their homes.

A great house is really the sum of its parts.

The picture attached show what the entry/stairway looked like at present. Notice the sharp contrast between the living room and the foyer in pic 1 below. What you see is a sort of dead zone between the entryway/staircase and the living room where my client entertain his visitors, hang out, watch TV etc. We need to fix that. Follow along as we explore the possibilities.

Bought N1,670 at Sagamu directly opposite WAPCO Cement Depot

LSPDC RENO UPDATE:

Its been two weeks now that we've been silent on this project and promised a new song.

Its my joy and happiness to inform my esteemed clients and friends who stood by till the end that discussions is on the way for the next phase of the project 'LSPDC Makeover 2: The Stairwell Renovation'.

Coming soon on this thread!

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Many thanks to my client (ahonohia) for the opportunity.

@analytical, thanks so much.

A bad circumstance or event is taken in stride, viewed as a temporary setback—not a permanent way of life. Even if something bad happens today, a positive thinker believes that good things will come again in the future.

@ahonohia, many thanks. I'll forever be grateful for bringing out this weaknesses in me.

@all, thank you. I'll just advice that instead of dwelling on the bad experiences, analyze it to figure out what good can come of it. Even if the project is deemed a failure, think about what you learned during the process.

@all the Big Aunties who stood by, I salute you.

@love-tosin, you've been a good brother. More bricks and cement to your project.

@Diordavies, your comment did it. I 'change tack'

@Spyder880, I missed you a lot. We may need to redefine as suggested. It doesn't mean charging excessively but taking things more serious.
Well done, Bro. I hope say you dey keep all my meat o.
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In sharp contrast to suggestions by some friends, I will prefer this thread remain like this without any post being deleted. For me, it is the catalyst that allowed me to get more serious with business.
I know we all like to remember with pride the great successes of our life but conveniently forget the failures (the times when we were expelled from the game for rough tackles.)

In moments of honesty, dwell on this experiences and you'll come to see that the fact is, there is no sinful mess of things which human beings have made that other human beings could not make too.
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LSPDC RENO UPDATE:

We have few newer responsibilities and the relationship is more like the way it began.

Amen!

@All, today's meeting was a success and I must give thanks to all contributors for making it possible.

We discussed and few compromise were made by my client whom I owe a very BIG thank you.

In this regards, I'll appreciate if we can tread this path with caution and also desist from making divisive statements that could further deepen the disunity. I hope and believe that by Friday, we will be singing a new song.

Thank you all.

Bros, my client made his choice to paint the room Red. I tried to convince him against that (if you need pictures of what I sent to my client for the living room, I can forward them to show what I planned to do with the room) but the he insisted all red.
You can like Red but that doesn't mean you go RED. I intend using the Red to create an accent in the very small living room.

We choose the blue colour by ourselves. He told me to play around with shades of blue and that's what I did. I had free will in the bedroom. You can check the colour scheme sent on this thread to confirm that.

The same workman did all the rooms.

Also, on this thread somebody said something about red colour and I said one man's fufu is another man's akpu.

I told my client on one occasion that if we go by what I'm seeing on the site, that some room will be OK than the others based on their finishes even though they have different budget.
You can't compare a screeded wall with a plain wall.

In all of this, I'll making too many excuses but the way forward is what I pray you help me find. If we need to be fired, so be it. And we proceed to how refunds will be made.

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I doubt I'll photoshop real life (as-it-transpire images), the video is true but not all of the things shown are within the scope of the job given.

I saw my client driving off the site yesterday morning and made a telephone call to him to let him know I'm around.

We could have walk through all this issues together and maybe he'll get a bit of explanation than coming here to post the issues.

There are established process for making change request stated in the contract document. None of this process were observed.

Now, its obvious from the video posted that my client must have rested on the shower enclosure while trying to prove a point or show the world how shoddy and unprofessional we are. The frame had been standing over 2 months without a problem - till yesterday. Who gets to fix that - NextHome?

What is missing in this project is a simple understanding and lack of trust. I was prepared to do all that it takes to make sure my client is satisfied; even if there had to be compromises but all efforts seems to prove abortive.

The structure is very old and weak and as such work needed to be done with utmost care to prevent a major structural damage or collapse.

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@my client sir, since this platform is where you choose to treat your issue - what should we do to end this issue?
I have the 2 bathroom doors awaiting installation today (Monday). I can halt the installation and wait for your final word.

Thank you for your patience and time to post the video. I only need half of that to sit down with you to tidy up the loose ends even if that will mean inconveniencing you a bit. Please bear with me.

I'm sure its better than all the time wasted.

@all, the only regret I had on this project was ever taking up this job in the first place.

The video revealed a lot but all of this things are afterthought which I was really confused about.

For instance, the washing machine plumb work in the kitchen came up after the tiles had been laid and was never part of the project. see picture below
The partitioning of the bathroom was also the same. It was never part of the project.

The socket in the living room was removed on client's request. We intend filling up the hole immediately but we were prevent from doing so.

No sane man would fix a door and a solid frame for N18k - the budget is there.

I tried preventing all this but I didn't get the support needed. I remember telling my client to visit the site to see how the colours look on the wall only to be greeted by 'I know what the colours look like when I see them answer'

If you check through this thread, I post in a place that 'Pictures can be deceptive atimes'

When a project lacks specifications, this is what you get. I just can't imagine why I would leave 1 pipe outside after burying 100 in the wall.

Let's not forget - we have completed all block works before the issue of the flooring was reviewed, which means we had to start patching up to make up the areas affected.

Many atimes, I was asked if I can do my house like this. NO!
I won't but I will always take professional advice.

I'm very sorry about this but GOD knows better.

The was a cup or glass issue raised in one of the bath - my client specifically asked us to move the cup into the other bath. The video didn't show that.

We all have right to complain but we need to understand ourselves better to make this world a better place.

One thing I know is that there's a budget and I wasn't paid to build a new house. I did my best to give the dilapidated structure a new look but my best sure isn't enough. Its not about some people going up on the internet to rip people off. Its just a matter of a bad business - the one that lacks clarity.

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@aventures, I can still remember vividly your statement back then. Here, I am. May God see me through.

The ugly incident we met on site today.

Just finished watching the video. Interesting!

If my client had come around 4pm today as agreed - maybe the video won't be the same. I told him we won't finish as agreed and the reason.

- Kitchen Cabinet installation is incomplete and its obvious because the shelves are not even installed. No light!
- Bath Partition was only hanged and not permanently fixed to the wall. No light!
- Door frames - now covered.
- Socket in the living room - installed


Pictures

1. The MDF Board for the uncovered part of the kitchen waiting to be installed. No light!
2. The toilet door from the lobby.
3. The toilet door that didn't lock - now locked.
4. The Bathroom Door - awaiting delivery and installation.

FLORIDACAR:
@spider,,, you should buried  your head in shame by now. After all this evidences here and there. At least show some concern towards ahonohai for all money spent. My last post u took time to insulted me for saying it as it's . You requested for more evidences b4 judgement. Here we are now with video evidence. I begin to ask myself "could this be same brain that Mr Spider880 used to build those nice houses with good money saving technique his using to judge on this Tread?
Look don't get me wrong I love your work .never a time I come on on NL without checking on yr tread. You d best when it come to house building on NL. But on this issue of Brabus vs ahonohai  brother be honest for once.

@ahonohai , great man doesn't do it over. You allow too much of make over from get go. It's more than clear that this is the best this young man can do as far as this project. Why don't u seat with him and see if u can get some refund back. And have someone else do this job to your taste.

@ Brabus, give it up! Sometime things does not come our way as expect. This is one of those time for u. Pls in d name of peace seat with your client , work something out with him and move on.

^^^Thank you, I pray my client can reason along this line so that we can move on. I can see that my best is not good enough in this situation except my client want to prove otherwise.

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@spyder880, thank you so much! please kindly keep off as advised in your best interest.

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@omonuan, I don't need to disagree again. I just need to move on so that the client can start enjoying his house. I'm very sorry if I slight you.

There is always 2 sides to a complaint and it seems this platform offers no opportunity for a person to put forward their side of the story before passing judgement. If this was the case then maybe readers could read both stories and come to their own conclusions.

Whatever the case, this is still a work in progress and as a result - we don't need to jump into conclusions. Unfortunately, I cannot view the video posted online but with the little I saw - I have no comment!

NextHome Builders is deeply committed to customer satisfaction and we would like to address your concerns. Please list out the pending issues here so we can deal with the situation and offer you a solution.

Thank you.

atasteve:
If you respect your fans, client and critics; don't reply a word again on this issue, go to the site and implement the changes according to the client's list. Set a target for yourself that Mr. Ahonohai will be the next to post a reply and of course it will be that the renovation have been satisfactorily completed.

Remember this issue can either promote or demote your building career. Pls thread gently and carefully with a lot of caution. CUSTOMER IS KING. God bless.

@atasteve, I'm sorry I didnt see your post as I'm posting from my phone. Please bear with me. Its very painful when you are faced with a situation like this.

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Good that my client has taken time to respond. I doubt he's taking all these information from the quote/budget I gave to him, except there's another document from the one we signed. I really dont like the way things are going but for learning purpose - let's start.


In my post, where I say if he comes again and say the wardrobe is 20 doors - it was like I'm a serial liar like I was called.

This is the document you all need to see. Then, tell me where 2 units of 2HP AC and 1.5HP AC got in.

My client said we were doing well at the beginning of the project. Yes, it was just block and cement that were involved then. A block is block, it could either be 9 inches or 6 inches. It is a different case when you are getting a Red paint which could either be Raspberry, Tile Red, Crimson Red etc. So, if things are not clearly spelt out, there'll always be issues.

I know there are things I intentionally delayed when I discovered there are too many revisions but that doesn't mean I just moved into a corner to squander my clients fund.

All these stories won't have been necessary if there'd been compromises. I have never told my client, we can't replace or make corrections - all I've been asking for is time to make those changes.

@Ahonohia, the Study door has been replaced as requested yesterday. What's left to be done are the 2 bathroom doors and the small partition in the guest bath. If there are other things to be done, please list them out sir.

What happened last Saturday

My client complained about the AC we installed and had some other few complaints which I told him will be very hard for me to accommodate at this time. I expected this issues to be discussed here so that we get things resolved once and for all.

The truth of the matter is that the project was not well defined and as a result it seems I was paid to do just anything my client wants. That wasn't the case, there's a budget and there's a clause which states why the project may exceed given time. And there are also correspondences which confirms what should be done, when and how. If my client come up again today and say the wardrobe suppose to 20 doors wardrobe - because there's no specification, he will be adjudge right.

It a messy situation but I know it wont ever repeat itself again. I really wish he can be patient and understand with me and we get out of this all whole issue peaceful.

Otherwise, customer is the king.


@Prince_onx, thanks for the input. In this case, all the prices listed are lower than the budget/cost given to my client customer.

@Demain_man, I'm sure I didn't come online to mess myself up.

At this point, I'll advice the client list all that needs to be done at the site. Our agreement does not specify "a particular item" that should be installed or purchased - so the issue has always been 'I dont like this, change that'

Really, if court settlement is the answer - so let it be. Its still part of life.

Thank you.

I cannot agree less that everybody is absolutely right - I didn't do well.

I'd taken up a renovation project which had just rubbished all that I've built over time. Though it seems like an intentional foul. Honestly, it wasn't.
 
My dad told me "-  until you tow the line, you'll never understand how rough the road is. There's no school for experience - you acquire it."

Now that I've seen the rough side, I think its good to re-evaluate the situation and check where I think got it wrong.

1. Unforeseen Structural Problems
Until you open the floors and the walls, you can never be sure how much it will cost if you are renovating an older house. A typical house inspection when you are making a quote cannot find all the problems. It will NEVER!

2. Unrealistic Budget for what your client want

Most of us do not know how pricey building our ideal house can be. As a result, we tend to think one price fits all. I've been there and I can see that the best thing to do is to get everything out in writing. If it is an AC you are buying. It will be good to write out the make, the size, the features and all the miscellaneous. I'm sure if I'd done it that way, I won't be recounting my losses now.

All the same, I'll still apologize to all my fans on Nairaland and Facebook that I'm very sorry I disappointed you. I hope you'll forgive and forget.

To all my clients especially the new ones who are reading this - I'm very sorry.

LSPDC RENO UPDATE:

A new door was delivered to the site to replace one of the bedroom door as requested by my client.

Installation will be done tomorrow.

Nice one Bro! First to subscribe.

Many of us make our first mistake almost immediately by approaching things in a wrong way. As for me, this is what I'll do to get off on the right track:

1. Come up with a budget. This is where most people fail and a very important aspect in home ownership.

2. Investigate Plot opportunities.

3. Work out the approximate build costs. Get a land first before asking for estimates.

4. Buy a plot. Don't buy and start to cry 'Had I known'

5. Do the survey.

6. Establish a design. Get a design that fits your lifestyle and most especially your budget. Keep it simple!

7. Apply for planning permissions

8. Search for a builder. Don't bring in a builder until you have concluded what you want to build. A builder is different from an architect.

9. Set a start date.

10. Break Ground.

more update soon on the other steps.

Having heard from great minds - I think its fair to chip in my own piece of advice.

We've seen why its necessary and why it isn't. @Poster, the choice is yours now.

All I can ask you to think of is the cost of adding a pillar in event you'll need one in the future. You can be too sure.

I'll advise you to do it while you still can.

Below is my last post about 2 months ago.

Yesternite, I discussed the pros and cons of New Builds and Renovations with my dad (a retired architect/builder), and this is his response.

"With an existing building you're stuck with entrances, ground floor spaces, relationship to garden, stair location, even kitchen, so building a new house is the best way to gain value, even in the short term"

I cannot agree less that my dad is absolutely right. I'd taken up a renovation project recently which had rubbished all that I've built over time.

This time - my dad's response was ", until you tow the line, you'll never understand how rough the road is. There's no school for experience - you acquire it."

Now that I've seen the rough side, I think its good to share the lessons learnt and how I think a contractor should deal with a TYPICAL Nigerian client.

1. Unforeseen Structural Problems

Until you open the floors and the walls, you can never be sure how much it will cost if you are renovating an older house. A typical house inspection when you are making a quote cannot find all the problems. It will NEVER!

2. Unrealistic Budget for what your client want

Honestly, most Nigerians do not know how pricey building our ideal house can be. As a result, we tend to think one price fits all. When you tow this line, my advice is that you get everything out in writing. If it is an AC you are buying. It will be good to write out the make, the size, the features and all the miscellaneous. I'm sure if I'd done it that way, I won't be recounting my losses now.



Being Carried Away

You need to take into account that the expense does not stop at buying materials alone. Be sure you budget very well for revisions, the cost of replacing one tile may be more than the cost of installing 10sqm.

You don't try to impress anybody. This is Nigeria!

^^^ Note: Oscillator Fan is a floor standing oscillating fan and not a Box fan. I'll post its picture later.

See specifications below:

1) Low wattage.
2) motorized oscillation.
3) Timer - automatically turns off the fan.
4) With Button and provided with remote control.

^^^ Note: Oscillator Fan is a floor standing oscillating fan and not a Box fan. I'll post its picture later.

See specifications below:

1) Low wattage.
2) motorized oscillation.
3) Timer - automatically turns off the fan.
4) With Button and provided with remote control.

An Oscillator is needed for immediate purchase. Interested supplier or anyone who can provide a lead to where I can get one within Lagos and Ogun state should please contact me on 08023429122.

Qty needed: 1

Thank you.

URGENT REQUEST:

An Oscillator is needed for immediate purchase. Interested supplier or anyone who can provide a lead to where I can get one within Lagos and Ogun state should please contact me on 08023429122.

Qty needed: 1