₦airaland Forum

TEQ365VENTURES:
So I posted the plan of my project few weeks ago for correction which professionals in the house helped me do some corrections.

The foundation is up to DPC Now and we would start the backfilling by next week. It’s a dry land do I need to consider doing any plinth beam as this is not in the structural drawing.

I brought this here when the bricklayer mentioned to me I do the beam but when I asked the engineer he said we do not need it as it’s not accommodated in the structural. Should i be worried about anything?

cash1115:
Is it right to ask your client to send you transport fair if the job is outside your state? I client called me to come and check a job in Edo state I wanted to know the situation of the job by asking her if its just to measure or state immediately, she said she will start as soon as we conlude, so I send her some designs and the price which she accepted, she asked when am coming and I told her 2days time which she said if I can't come the next day I should forget the job, and my wife just put to bed after all the spending I have no money left which am praying to go to bring work, I was happy when she said that. The last question I asked got her annoyed, when I asked her if I should come with my tools and my boys, she said is there anyway I will work without bringing them that if she is not ready she won't call me, I called my boys to get ready for the next day, but due to not having much cash I ran around to get 5k from someone that when I get there I will send them money to come, I got there in the evening, i calling her severally and her number wasn't going even before I left, she pick the call around 5pm when I told her am there already, that am on my way to the site, she changed everything that I didn't call her before coming so am a scam, I can't believe that, I summon courage that I should get to the site first at least I will sleep at the site till the next day I only have 100naira left when the bike man dropped me funny enough is that nothing like site around the location I started calling her she blocked my line from call and WhatsApp. I went through hell that day but thank God I survived it.

diordaves:
There are clients that are bad market. This you should know. So to filter out bad market, next time these are processes you should carry out before moving to site:

#1. If the client is from Nairaland, look up for how long they've been on Nairaland. If they've been on Nairaland for a good length of time, take some comfort in that. Good information about their personality will be here on Nairaland by their posts and the forums they frequently visit. Be wary of those who register today, today to contact you for work. Just be wary. It doesn't mean this is not possible. Just be wary because you don't know jack about them. ALWAYS research your client upfront before accepting any job. Ask them for their name. I will come to 'name' again in point three.

#2. Be attentive to the way they address you or talk to you in messages. Be wary if they are unduly and unnecessarily harsh in their communication to you. As if they are doing you a favour. It is not a favour. It is a working relationship. Yes, you are soliciting for work, but you have a right to be addressed with some respect and kindness. All that ORDER to come to site or forget the job is not necessary. It is a tell-tale sign of a tortuous job and a potentially difficult client going forward. And there are difficult clients out there. I speak as a client.

#3. ALWAYS ask for a mobilization fee BEFORE moving to site. This is standard and good practice. Any client that argues with this na bad market. Move on. I have said previously in researching the client you should ask for their name. If you ask for a mobilization fee and they agreed, make sure payment is by bank transfer and that the payment account details match with the name the client told you. If the bank details don't match for some reason (maybe the client is abroad and they don't have a Nigerian bank account), ask more questions about who made the payment and ask to communicate with whoever made the payment. Your client should KNOW you in true colour and same as you.

Don't be desperate to please to land a job. On the flip side, if a client asked you to come to a site that is so far away for investigation or consultation with a potential view of awarding you the job, ask for a reasonable non-refundable fee in lieu of the cost of visiting the site and tell the client that this fee is non-refundable if you do not get the job eventually but if you got the job, this fee is included in the final fee.

diordaves:
There are clients that are bad market. This you should know. So to filter out bad market, next time these are processes you should carry out before moving to site:

#1. If the client is from Nairaland, look up for how long they've been on Nairaland. If they've been on Nairaland for a good length of time, take some comfort in that. Good information about their personality will be here on Nairaland by their posts and the forums they frequently visit. Be wary of those who register today, today to contact you for work. Just be wary. It doesn't mean this is not possible. Just be wary because you don't know jack about them. ALWAYS research your client upfront before accepting any job. Ask them for their name. I will come to 'name' again in point three.

#2. Be attentive to the way they address you or talk to you in messages. Be wary if they are unduly and unnecessarily harsh in their communication to you. As if they are doing you a favour. It is not a favour. It is a working relationship. Yes, you are soliciting for work, but you have a right to be addressed with some respect and kindness. All that ORDER to come to site or forget the job is not necessary. It is a tell-tale sign of a tortuous job and a potentially difficult client going forward. And there are difficult clients out there. I speak as a client.

#3. ALWAYS ask for a mobilization fee BEFORE moving to site. This is standard and good practice. Any client that argues with this na bad market. Move on. I have said previously in researching the client you should ask for their name. If you ask for a mobilization fee and they agreed, make sure payment is by bank transfer and that the payment account details match with the name the client told you. If the bank details don't match for some reason (maybe the client is abroad and they don't have a Nigerian bank account), ask more questions about who made the payment and ask to communicate with whoever made the payment. Your client should KNOW you in true colour and same as you.

Don't be desperate to please to land a job. On the flip side, if a client asked you to come to a site that is so far away for investigation or consultation with a potential view of awarding you the job, ask for a reasonable non-refundable fee in lieu of the cost of visiting the site and tell the client that this fee is non-refundable if you do not get the job eventually but if you got the job, this fee is included in the final fee.

EgunMogaji2:
A repeat of what I’ve said on here many times over the years. Some much to the chagrin of my “friends”.

1) Don’t rely on customers money to get a job done. We’ll never agree on this I know.

2) You don’t have to accept all jobs that comes across your desk. Interview clients and use your best judgment if it’s a good fit. Example: someone called me from Abia or Asaba and wants to do pay on delivery on a vehicle I’m selling. It’s against my company policy so I respectfully declined. It’s simple sturvz.

3) Don’t take on kids that you can’t satisfactorily complete. Either because of skill, experience or bandwidth. It’s okay to admit strength.

To close. On this very thread, artisans have been lured out of state and robbed by robbers pretending to be prospective home builders.

Hope yah all having a wonderful weekend.

dapotemi:
Hmmn, artisan is well covered here, but what about client... Am also scared and worried about you the same way you are about me, and its my money that is involve.... Artisan is also a stranger to client, the same way client is a stranger to artisan... I have contacted a builder on NL outside lagos b4, chatted for like a week or so, everything went on smoothly, we agreed on price, i made preparations for accommodation and i was sincerely ready to kickstart d project then until he ask that i should send money for him and his artisan for transport, and also that his artisan is saying he must get an upfront so as to leave some cash for his family, na so i vex, everything broke down and we both moved on... I was recently scammed then so my alertness was still very high, eyes still dey red.. You see all this stuff you wrote there, na naija we dey, it wont really work if followed religiously, there must be a balance, somewhere.. Remember we are both taking risk, both client and artisan. #myExperience.

dapotemi:
Hmmn, artisan is well covered here, but what about client... Am also scared and worried about you the same way you are about me, and its my money that is involve.... Artisan is also a stranger to client, the same way client is a stranger to artisan... I have contacted a builder on NL outside lagos b4, chatted for like a week or so, everything went on smoothly, we agreed on price, i made preparations for accommodation and i was sincerely ready to kickstart d project then until he ask that i should send money for him and his artisan for transport, and also that his artisan is saying he must get an upfront so as to leave some cash for his family, na so i vex, everything broke down and we both moved on... I was recently scammed then so my alertness was still very high, eyes still dey red.. You see all this stuff you wrote there, na naija we dey, it wont really work if followed religiously, there must be a balance, somewhere.. Remember we are both taking risk, both client and artisan. #myExperience.

coconutwater:
I feel your pain brother, you should have atleast ask for transportation as commitment fee....any job outside your state, you must have something to motivate your journey other than unrealistic promises...

Good luck in your subsequent dealings.

diordaves:
There are clients that are bad market. This you should know. So to filter out bad market, next time these are processes you should carry out before moving to site:

#1. If the client is from Nairaland, look up for how long they've been on Nairaland. If they've been on Nairaland for a good length of time, take some comfort in that. Good information about their personality will be here on Nairaland by their posts and the forums they frequently visit. Be wary of those who register today, today to contact you for work. Just be wary. It doesn't mean this is not possible. Just be wary because you don't know jack about them. ALWAYS research your client upfront before accepting any job. Ask them for their name. I will come to 'name' again in point three.

#2. Be attentive to the way they address you or talk to you in messages. Be wary if they are unduly and unnecessarily harsh in their communication to you. As if they are doing you a favour. It is not a favour. It is a working relationship. Yes, you are soliciting for work, but you have a right to be addressed with some respect and kindness. All that ORDER to come to site or forget the job is not necessary. It is a tell-tale sign of a tortuous job and a potentially difficult client going forward. And there are difficult clients out there. I speak as a client.

#3. ALWAYS ask for a mobilization fee BEFORE moving to site. This is standard and good practice. Any client that argues with this na bad market. Move on. I have said previously in researching the client you should ask for their name. If you ask for a mobilization fee and they agreed, make sure payment is by bank transfer and that the payment account details match with the name the client told you. If the bank details don't match for some reason (maybe the client is abroad and they don't have a Nigerian bank account), ask more questions about who made the payment and ask to communicate with whoever made the payment. Your client should KNOW you in true colour and same as you.

Don't be desperate to please to land a job. On the flip side, if a client asked you to come to a site that is so far away for investigation or consultation with a potential view of awarding you the job, ask for a reasonable non-refundable fee in lieu of the cost of visiting the site and tell the client that this fee is non-refundable if you do not get the job eventually but if you got the job, this fee is included in the final fee.

BrickDevo:
bricklayer and their nosy attitude, engineer didn't specify it in the structural drawing, why bother does it mean that the bricklayer is more experienced than the Engineer, I personally don't like it when a bricklayer does this kind of stuff. This is how I nearly slapped one bricklayer on site after he did opposite of what I told him, even went behind my back to speak to the client to defending his actions......

However since the land is dry, I don't think the introduction of beam is necessary, but if you can afford it, go ahead.

topsy23:
Tragedy! You suppose to request for drawings before you embark on such journey. Inspection to site these days is very risky. Contractors have to be very careful

EgunMogaji2:
A repeat of what I’ve said on here many times over the years. Some much to the chagrin of my “friends”.

1) Don’t rely on customers money to get a job done. We’ll never agree on this I know.

2) You don’t have to accept all jobs that comes across your desk. Interview clients and use your best judgment if it’s a good fit. Example: someone called me from Abia or Asaba and wants to do pay on delivery on a vehicle I’m selling. It’s against my company policy so I respectfully declined. It’s simple sturvz.

3) Don’t take on jobs that you can’t satisfactorily complete. Either because of skill, experience or bandwidth. It’s okay to admit strength.

To close. On this very thread, artisans have been lured out of state and robbed by robbers pretending to be prospective home builders.

Hope yah all having a wonderful weekend.

Charisdesigns:
Yes please
It is called mobilization fee.

mobilization fee especially on a construction project is the payment you require from the customer at the time you begin| about to begin the project, this fee will cater for preparatory work and operations, including, but not limited to, those necessary for the movement of personnel, equipment, supplies and incidentals to the project site, buildings of other facilities necessary for work on the project, and for all other work and operations which must be performed or cost incurred prior to beginning work on the various items on the project site.

Without this, especially on large scale project, you might be starting the project on a negative cash flow instead of positive.

A negative cash flow becomes a drain sort of that will increase the chance that you will need to borrow money. Also you do also be using funds necessary for the growth of your company for the project.


Sorry for that experience

Rexology:
Professionals, please help me look into this quotation for wiring of 3bedroom bungalow.
1. 22 switch DB
2. 1.5mm 11 rolls
3. 2.5mm 12rolls
4. 4mm 12 rolls
5. Earth wire 2rolls
6 Earth wire 2rolls
7.Earth wire 2rolls
8. 10mm 20yards.

I have the feelings that the wire is too much 3bedroom bungalow. No water heater.

diordaves:
There are clients that are bad market. This you should know. So to filter out bad market, next time these are processes you should carry out before moving to site:

#1. If the client is from Nairaland, look up for how long they've been on Nairaland. If they've been on Nairaland for a good length of time, take some comfort in that. Good information about their personality will be here on Nairaland by their posts and the forums they frequently visit. Be wary of those who register today, today to contact you for work. Just be wary. It doesn't mean this is not possible. Just be wary because you don't know jack about them. ALWAYS research your client upfront before accepting any job. Ask them for their name. I will come to 'name' again in point three.

#2. Be attentive to the way they address you or talk to you in messages. Be wary if they are unduly and unnecessarily harsh in their communication to you. As if they are doing you a favour. It is not a favour. It is a working relationship. Yes, you are soliciting for work, but you have a right to be addressed with some respect and kindness. All that ORDER to come to site or forget the job is not necessary. It is a tell-tale sign of a tortuous job and a potentially difficult client going forward. And there are difficult clients out there. I speak as a client.

#3. ALWAYS ask for a mobilization fee BEFORE moving to site. This is standard and good practice. Any client that argues with this na bad market. Move on. I have said previously in researching the client you should ask for their name. If you ask for a mobilization fee and they agreed, make sure payment is by bank transfer and that the payment account details match with the name the client told you. If the bank details don't match for some reason (maybe the client is abroad and they don't have a Nigerian bank account), ask more questions about who made the payment and ask to communicate with whoever made the payment. Your client should KNOW you in true colour and same as you.

Don't be desperate to please to land a job. On the flip side, if a client asked you to come to a site that is so far away for investigation or consultation with a potential view of awarding you the job, ask for a reasonable non-refundable fee in lieu of the cost of visiting the site and tell the client that this fee is non-refundable if you do not get the job eventually but if you got the job, this fee is included in the final fee.

dapotemi:
Hmmn, artisan is well covered here, but what about client... Am also scared and worried about you the same way you are about me, and its my money that is involve.... Artisan is also a stranger to client, the same way client is a stranger to artisan... I have contacted a builder on NL outside lagos b4, chatted for like a week or so, everything went on smoothly, we agreed on price, i made preparations for accommodation and i was sincerely ready to kickstart d project then until he ask that i should send money for him and his artisan for transport, and also that his artisan is saying he must get an upfront so as to leave some cash for his family, na so i vex, everything broke down and we both moved on... I was recently scammed then so my alertness was still very high, eyes still dey red.. You see all this stuff you wrote there, na naija we dey, it wont really work if followed religiously, there must be a balance, somewhere.. Remember we are both taking risk, both client and artisan. #myExperience.

cash1115:
thanks bro but most of our clients will think u want to run away with the money

diordaves:
The client is also covered. It has worked for me over the years in Nigeria. I have had supplies (and continue to have) here on this forum running into considerable millions. As a client:

#1. If the contractor is Nairaland, check their history. Ask for their name.

#2. Be prepared to pay a reasonable mobilization fee as the case may be. Make payment by Bank Transfer and make sure the recipient's bank details match the name of the contractor. If not check why.

#3 If the contractor needs to buy materials from e.g Lagos and the site is far away or if they are the vendor of the materials, again make sure the bank details match with their company name.

#4. Listen attentively to how they wish to get the materials to the site. If they are fraudulent or they are over-promising, you will find cracks and contradictions in their logistic profile.

I once had a project that needed materials from Lagos with a cost profile of well over 7 million. The suppliers in their logistic profile said it is cheaper for them and myself to pay for everything so they hire a dedicated lorry for me instead of joint with other clients. But these suppliers are without insurance. I'm not used to being so overtly exposed. So I did the transaction on average of 350k trunches and took on the extra logistics cost until the deal was done.

So as clients, we should be prepared to reasonably mobilize and we should not overexpose ourselves financially. Milestone payment can be a reasonable compromise sometimes.

topsy23:
Tye quantity looks like too much. But we need to check the plan before we can say anything.

You can share the plan with me let me see

Rexology:
Professionals, please help me look into this quotation for wiring of 3bedroom bungalow.
1. 22 switch DB
2. 1.5mm 11 rolls
3. 2.5mm 12rolls
4. 4mm 12 rolls
5. Earth wire 2rolls
6 Earth wire 2rolls
7.Earth wire 2rolls
8. 10mm 20yards.

I have the feelings that the wire is too much 3bedroom bungalow. No water heater.

topsy23:
What of if the clients said he's just a visitor and no ID on nairaland. How will you trace the client to come he is real? We are facing alot of things especially people that will call you that they got your contact on NL.

EgunMogaji2:
I’ll never do this personally. But I’m glad it works for you.

bixton:
Many of these confusion and noisynez of artisans is the fault of the client. They don't have confidence in the engineer and at every point in time they spend more time discussing with artisans on site. This is one of the reasons I hardly work with strange artisans. Before you know the services of the engineer will be terminated before the completion of the project.

twinskenny:
ha

BrickDevo:
bricklayer and their nosy attitude, engineer didn't specify it in the structural drawing, why bother does it mean that the bricklayer is more experienced than the Engineer, I personally don't like it when a bricklayer does this kind of stuff. This is how I nearly slapped one bricklayer on site after he did opposite of what I told him, even went behind my back to speak to the client to defending his actions......

However since the land is dry, I don't think the introduction of beam is necessary, but if you can afford it, go ahead.

Rexology:
Professionals, please help me look into this quotation for wiring of 3bedroom bungalow.
1. 22 switch DB
2. 1.5mm 11 rolls
3. 2.5mm 12rolls
4. 4mm 12 rolls
5. Earth wire 2rolls
6 Earth wire 2rolls
7.Earth wire 2rolls
8. 10mm 20yards.

I have the feelings that the wire is too much 3bedroom bungalow. No water heater.

topsy23:
1.5mm
RED 4
BLACK 3


2.5mm for socket
RED 3
BLACK 3
1.5mm GREEN 3

4mm For AC ans Water Heater
RED 3
BLACK 3
2.5mm GREEN 3

6mm single core earth cable 30m

10mm single core depend on location of DB and Changeover

Check our thread for more info

https://www.nairaland.com/2326721/nigerchin-kabelmetal-coleman-cables/31