₦airaland Forum

Bro, its all about passion. Thank God you have your own project before taking up this tasks. Its a pathetic situation my bro.

None of the who has seen me knew I have an Okada (Bike), let alone buy a car.
But before I took on any job on NL, I had a Landrover Freelander 2003 and Skoda Octavia 2004 - both now grounded.

I intentionally blogged about my personal project before taking on any of this business online so that we can know where we are coming from. But in all, it is what makes a man. We are all learning.

Kudos to the senior builders in the house. Una dey try, well, well.
Now I can understand why many people are being duped and projects abandoned.

Imagine quoting N1800 for cement and buying at N2500 - 40% difference. Yet no turning back to request for extra funding. And all you get is that you are a thief, serial liar and all sorts.

I laugh! Spyder880, God is the rewarder of all and he will reward each one of us according to our handiwork.

Keep up the good work! It is well

Was that all we could achieve today? No!

More pictures

1. Screeding of the swollen part of the wall. Awaiting painting next week.
2. Installation of AC remotes. Funny but important
3. Teardown and re-plastering of the door section
4. Door awaiting repair by Kola. The installation was bad and it needs attention.

LSPDC Renovations: Update

Today, we made some progress.
Kola opened up to me that he's handling other projects hence the reason he has been on the run. I can see him working under intense pressure and I had to advice him to take it cool. We are late but the success of the project is good finish.

Wardrobes:
We were able to complete the framework of the 2 wardrobes today. Picture update below.

Missing Burglary Door:
While trying to investigate the missing door, I was reminded by the bricklayer who fixed the window protector (burglary) that I asked the Welder to wheel it to his shop to work on. We initially had agreement to install the burglary door in the entryway downstair.

I've informed my client. The door is not missing or stolen. It was an oversight on my part

Electricals:
RSK was on site today to check the electrical fault. All lights are working in the house except for 4 bulbs that we need to install. Really, there was no electrical fault but a partial contact from the inverter connection, hence the reason some rooms in the apartment are affected. But that has been corrected, although I made another mistake of not informing my client that we had to bypass the inverter connection pending when he's ready to install inverter in the apartment.

Guest Toilet:
Although, the plumber worked on the guest toilet yesterday. I'm still not satisfied with the arrangement so I asked my man onsite to remove some tiles and shift it to back of the WC. This is a work in progress. We still have few tiles on ground to replace it.

Tomorrow:
There won't be any work on the site as I want to use tomorrow to resolve the Window Unit AC issue and also buy few items that we need to replace or fix.
I also gave Kola the chance to go and resolve other issues he has at hand while I try to get the following items.

1. 13 amps socket x 2
2. POP light bulb x 4
3. 1 bend for the plumbing work
4. 1 gallon red paint to repaint the lobby and the lower part of the kitchen
5. Recover missing burglary door from the welder
6. Net and aluminium rail for the bathroom/toilet partitioning

All things being equal, we (myself and Kola) will be at the site to continue working on the cabinet and wardrobes.

I've requested that my client visit the site tomorrow to inspect work done and possibly let us know other areas we failed to meet up.

NextHome Builders.

Yes, they are rubber tiles. I cannot say how old those ones are but from the look but it cannot be less than 15 years.

There are varieties of colours and designs.

The lower part of the kitchen will be changed to gray colour tomorrow sir.

The AC and oscillator will be delivered before Friday next week.

More updates from the site.

1. The plumber fixing blockage in the tank yesterday.
2. The toilet fittings tidied up yesterday
3. The swell up portion being scraped off for repainting
4. The portion painted pink is used to prime the wall to change the ugly look. There's a wardrobe coming up which will cover the pink.

@Spyder880, thanks for your kind words.

Honestly, I have never been missing a day till date at the project site. Things just get out of hand.

I've pleaded with Kola the woodman to come and finish up the wardrobes and kitchen cabinet tomorrow. He is not the one affected now. All other issues are being worked on as I write.

Pic update from the site today.

1. Kitchen cabinets waiting to be hanged by Kola
2. Kitchen cupboard waiting to be fixed by Kola
3. Living Room cleaned up
4. Wardrobe Installation in progress by Kola

Nice one Maclatunji! You are a master plothunter.

@Aks, I'm at the site and we are working.

@Jumyg, Demain_man

Thank you for your kind words.
Honestly, the matter is not as difficult as my client sees it. Anyway, I promise not to let you guys down.

As for refunds, I'll do so asap. I'm sure we all understand what it is to get a refund from a seller weeks after purchase without a restocking fee.

The good thing about this project is that all the people my client referred me to keep bringing client because they love the work.
That's my joy!

I know my client will get over this issue over time and understand why we had to take extra time.

Any lesson learnt? Sure, a lot of them - I'll blog about my experiences later.

Thank you

I accept responsibility for all the allegation. Please just give me till end of next week to hand over.

@The House, I have no explanation but pictures do not lie. Please kindly help plead with my client to grant the extension and list all issues here so that we can fix them all.

I'll still continue to plead with my client for all the issues. I accept responsibility and I'm working hard to meet up.

Unfortunately, workmen can be dissapointing atimes.

This is good!

@Lawyer, please kindly extend the next competition to IMOTA. That area is the next BIG thing to happen.

A client just purchased 30 acres of land in a neighbouring village for N18m.

The plus factor for that location includes:

1. Good Road (always kept in good shape by FERMA)
2. Security
3. Proximity
- 1 hour to Ajah
- 25 minutes to Ijebu Ode
- 7 minutes to Ikorodu
- 15 minutes to Sagamu
4. It cost less to get Governors Consent in that area. I think N150/sqm
5. Good for investment purpose

Thanks Spyder sir. You still need to visit Lagos - then you'll know say Khaki no bi leather. Them go flood you job, you go tire. If only you can replicate your cost with the quality and standards achieved in Enugu. I know its possible but I'm still working on the odds that are stacked up against the workability.

This include, workmen, omo-onile, suppliers, transport, soil condition and so on.

If I have something, I go break the jinx and bring our own man Spyder live to Lagos. Na direct to Fashola office! Lol

Well Done, Sir

Clients Testimony

Hi NextHome,

My brother has received the house plan you sent.

I must say I am more than satisfied with the services I received from you. You helped me to find a plan suitable for my need and I commend you for the manner you handled the whole situation.

Other thing is - my sister is looking for a house plan. She is interested in AURY plan you posted on your Facebook page but her plot size is 35 x 60. Will it be possible to have the AURY house plan on plot size 35 x 60,
probably with modification to exclude the carport.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks again.

Tunde O.
_______________________

You will be interested to know that we worked with Tunde and customized the AURY House Plan for his sister in Kwara state who has picked up her plan through courier service.

In case you find something (floorplan, facade, finish etc) that you love, please send it to us and kindly indicate if you need modification, the desired changes and when you want the plan.

We are ready to customize any plan to fit your style and budget. Just let us know.

NextHome Builders.

Rubber tiles go well on plastered floors.

Demain, the suspended ceil are not PVC. It cost N1450 per square meter and N3800 for a pack with fittings and accessories.

LSPDC Renovations: Update

Kola the woodman has shown up. The installation of the wardrobe has commenced. Hoping to get it completed by tomorrow.

And Amen!

@Prince_onx, instead of regular flooring, why not spruce up your floor with floor rubber tiles. You won't spend more than N8 - N10k for a standard room of 12 x 12ft. They are available in varieties.

@prince, N500k!!!

2 split unit AC - N120k
1 Window unit AC - N40k
Wardrobes/Kitchen Cabinet - N230k
Doors - N120k
Bathrooms - N280k (which includes 2 Twyford WC, Shower Enclosure, Water Heater, Shower Fittings, Vanity etc)

Oga, this is just to mention few of the work o. POP, Screeding of the walls, Painting, Electricals, Plumbing, Burglary, Aluminium windows, Bricklaying, PVC ceiling, suspended ceiling etc still dey there o.)

No be small thing o. The only difference here is we didn't do the frame structure and roofing. All other parts and components of the house are brand new.

Its not easy turning a 30 year old house into a modern house.

To add to what Ogbefi said here, the little renovation work we are doing has taken over N2.3m

I'll breakdown the cost on my thread later this month.

@Prince, make una no kill your brother o. Spyder's cost is on the extreme. You need to be on ground to know what your brother is facing.

You can use PVC for all the rooms except the kitchen.

The advantage of PVC is that it is maintenance-free. No need for painting and it can be washed.

Back to New Build vs Renovation

Its easier when you build a new house than when you are renovating. Its not easy bringing the past to catch up with the present.

Thank you sirs. Many thanks goes to my client who has afforded us the opportunoty to showcase this project.

The doors are imported made of boards and woods. It is not PVC. I love the door for the kind of finish and look it will achieve on the project.

What you are seeing here has been worked on by my woodman to further strengthen the door. Imported doors are not as strong as Nigeria wooden doors o - take that from me!

@diordavies, the quoted cost of the door in this project is N18k. Breadown is as follows:

- Removal of the old door. N1k
- Purchase/Transportation of the new door. N11.5k
- Working on the soft frame N.5k
- Purchase/Installation of the door, locks and hinges. N4.5k
- Painting. N.5k

I hope say I no cheat my client sha!

Its all about Passion! I can go to the extreme to satisfy my clients

@cinzo, Naija made is stronger but I'll rather use imported doors for my bedrooms and areas with less traffic. The doors are inviting.

Our local workmen can do same but N25k or more will not achieve the same finish - Quote me!

LSPDC Renovations

The Bedrooms now has doors.

Kola the woodman yet to show up to install the wardrobes and kitchen cabinets. Grrr! This guy is my headache.

There are 2 types of Iron Bars.

1. Mild Steel Bar
2. Deformed Steel Bar

Deformed bars are rods of steels with ribs or deformation on the surface of bar, these bars minimize slippage in concrete and increases the bond between the two materials. They are always in 40ft length.

I do not encourage the use of mild steel bars in Reinforced Concrete designs as it is highly susceptible to cracks that may develop around the steel bars due to stretching of bars and some lose bonds. A deformed bars, on the other hand, have ribs and are twisted to improve the bond with concrete.

In Lagos, there is Lagos States Materials Testing Laboratory - I really don't know of other states in Nigeria. This agency/bureau sees to the strength and quality of building materials used in construction. Its highly advisable that prospective home owners visit them for more information.

Another important point to take note is the weight of iron rods. When we want to purchase iron rods from the market, we always inquire about the length of steel in feet or meter and the quantities in  tonnes but we are ignorant about the weight of steel.  
This is the easiest way you can be ripped off.

Lastly, use a professional structural engineer and not a "What-I-think-is-right" project supervisor.

I always rely on their expert opinion and advices in my projects.

Good question begging for answer.

I'm in transit right now - 12mm is 93 lengths, 16mm is 54 lengths.

I'll explain this further later today. The quantity is based on different factors

Well done, sirs!

LSPDC Renovation: This week

- Kola the woodman will be installing the doors, wardrobes and kitchen cabinets. Kola is also a busy guy and tracking him down is not an easy task.

- Kola the painter will be putting finishing touches to the walls.

- RSK the electrician will be visiting one more time to double check connections.

- Peace, the plumber will also be doing same.

The most difficult part of this project is the flooring aspect. My clients intends to rug all the rooms - so all finishes must be at 99.9% completion before the rugs can be laid. This explain the reason we've been going forth and back to double check installations and fittings.

The cost of not doing so is a dirty rug!

More

LSPDC Renovation

I have been very busy on so many projects in recent time and here are some takes on the project during the final touches stage.

Pictures below spotlights the new

cinzo:
@Brabus, how many liters is the water heater in the bathroom?

That's 15 litres water heater.

Even after choosing the "Best Build Route" for your project, quotation still tends to vary wildly.

Why so much disparity in construction estimates?

The cause of most problems in Nigeria are formed in parts, hence the reason we cannot find one lasting solution to it.

The cost of transportation of materials is only a half of the problem - erratic power supply as it affects production and output of workmen is another problem. A job which is supposed to take 12 hours, at times may take 24 days. Billing or quoting for such a job will be hard especially when you are dealing with an individual.

Another downside is the massive unemployment rate/construction companies laying off staff, which had turn everyone into a building contractor overnight. Many home owners are choosing Build Route 1 & 2 above, sourcing for CHEAP labour in order to level out the rising materials cost.

So to buttress diordaves' point - some overnight turned home builder will quote lesser than "the certified pro". Don't be surprised if your certified professional come up a drastic reduction in price - Man must chop.

@Fhemmmy, if you remember how we got here sir. It was a case of a fence project that I quoted N2.4m but the client got it N500k lesser than mine. I requested that Spyder880 make his quote without seeing what I've quoted and he claimed the N2.4m may be too small.

Unfortunately, many has fallen into this low-pricing trap sacrificing build quality for few naira and kobos.
Here's my take - a good design is worth investing in and you can't really make shortcuts.