₦airaland Forum

In east LA you'll get a used shotgun plus a box of shells for $50

Still enough left for couple of N10k monthly payments.

I wanna eat big fish And they don't serve it here. Not even on tonites menu list. I checked everything to the last page.

Bro! Save your buck for the Halloween.

Yeah, nothing but "puff" adders

#WhatsN3xtOnTheMenu

Oya, it's shade o clock.

"Walmart" not Thrift store. "New" not used.

Ain't dealing with soft targets 2nite. Waiting for my big fish. Today is not Halloween.

msogunro:
Your opinion is highly appreciated. If you have nuggets of knowledge to share with us about anything discussed, please feel free to contribute. With the way I see people hailing you left and right on this site, I expected you to chime in with something more substantive than "#importthespacers".

Is it possible to build a wall as neatly as this picture below? Any reason why block walls shouldn't be painted in Nigeria?

Patiently waiting for your response, boss.

I am an optimist to my bone marrows, and so I believe it is very possible despite my previous jokes. It might be very difficult to do in Nigeria due to some reasons;

Hurry
The culture in most building projects in Nigeria of today is the "counting" methods which stipulates that brick layers are paid according to the number of blocks they lay each day. This makes the brick layers to hurry so much to get enough counts to feed their families. The casualty is the quality of work as it becomes near impossible to control the angry workers who wants to beat all odds to survive.

Cost
You can agree with me that building projects are competitive, thus the owner will love to do his home with the lowest cost and at the highest quality possible. In this aspect, he might pay too low, which will make the builder to use any available options to achieve a standing wall, not necessarily perfect. Neat, well spaced walls cost money and time to make. But it is possible.

Other works on the walls
Due to innovation, our walls have come to perform some other functions apart from giving privacy to some sections of the house. We now pass electrical, plumbing and even AC pipes through our walls which might either crack and bend them blocks during the works to make these pipes invisible in the walls.

But remember, with attention to detail, dedication and using the right tools, a flawless wall is very possible in Nigeria.

"Walmart" not Thrift store. "New" not used.

Ain't dealing with soft targets 2nite. Waiting for my big fish. Today is not Halloween.

Already had my dinner an hour ago. Gimme Haruna Ishola and help me sleep peacefully. Haruna will do for now. Save the relief fund for the next Halloween. #OdunEgun

spyder880:
I am an optimist to my bone marrows, and so I believe it is very possible despite my previous jokes. It might be very difficult to do in Nigeria due to some reasons;

Hurry
The culture in most building projects in Nigeria of today is the "counting" methods which stipulates that brick layers are paid according to the number of blocks they lay each day. This makes the brick layers to hurry so much to get enough counts to feed their families. The casualty is the quality of work as it becomes impossible to control the angry workers who wants to beat all odds to survive.

Cost
You can agree with me that building projects are competitive, thus the owner will love to do his home with the lowest cost and at the highest quality possible. In this aspect, he might pay too low, which will make the builder to use any available options to achieve a standing wall, not necessarily perfect. Neat, well spaced walls cost money and time to make. But it is possible.

Other works on the walls
Due to innovation, our walls have come to perform some other functions apart from giving privacy to some sections of the house. We now pass electrical, plumbing and even AC pipes through our walls which might either cracking and bend them during the works to make these pipes invisible in the walls.

But remember, with attention to detail, dedication and using the right tools, a flawless wall is very possible in Nigeria.

In other words, Owo ni koko.

n3xt:
In other words, Owo ni koko.

Owo is the koko my brother

Then there is the issue of bad workmanship. Many of our artisans that do brick laying work are so half baked, Infact, quarter baked to ever produce a good work. These sort of workers are to be avoided because not only will they not be good on the job, they will be racing in their mistakes and spread a lot of bent and crooked walls all over the building. Sloppy mortar application, non pluming of walls, both top and side levels, not rubbing the walls, not being artistic. ( There is a certain amount of arts that goes into the science of building)

The owner will all be too glad to plaster over the walls in order not to be reminded of the horror on the walls.

So I'm still waiting for that indigenous Nigerian builder that is building steel framed structures, similar to what I showed, even in Lagos wink

I *think*DominionNG showed an estate being built based on this. I'll like to research the company's home of residence too grin

EgunMogaji:
And I'll answer them that I indeed tried as a client in Ibadan but could not get someone affordable that could do it without using my build as a scapegoat.

Every single custom home that I've built in the USA had a model that the builder built to showcase to clients.

I'm still researching steel roof.

If you are really serious about steel roof and not just to tease Nigerian builders then contact Eternit Limited Sapele in Delta State: http://www.eternitsap.com/

Steel roof (Aluminium ) don't come cheap though. I have a quote for a 4 Flat structure in Warri last year for Aluminium and concrete roof tiles that came up to just under N4 million. The Aluminium framing was over N2 million and the concrete roof tile over N1 million. Eternit is a serious time tested indigenous company that has more than delivered over the years that Aluminum structure you posted. So if you are really serious, give them a call, send your roofing plan to them and within days they will give you a free quote. If you also need concrete roof tiles to go with your steel roof just let them know. Eternit Sapele is a complete roofing solution company with international repute of good standing as Julius Berger, A G Cappa, Strabag, etc.

diordaves:
So I'm still waiting for that indigenous Nigerian builder that is building steel framed structures, similar to what I showed, even in Lagos wink

I *think*DominionNG showed an estate being built based on this. I'll like to research the company's home of residence too grin





If you are really serious about steel roof and not just to tease Nigerian builders then contact Eternit Limited Sapele in Delta State: http://www.eternitsap.com/

Steel roof (Aluminium ) don't come cheap though. I have a quote for a 4 Flat structure in Warri last year for Aluminium and concrete roof tiles that came up to just under N4 million. The Aluminium framing was over N2 million and the concrete roof tile over N1 million. Eternit is a serious time tested indigenous company that has more than delivered over the years that Aluminum structure you posted. So if you are really serious, give them a call, send your roofing plan to them and within days they will give you a free quote. If you also need concrete roof tiles to go with your still roof just let them know. Eternit Sapele is a complete roofing solution company with international repute of good standing as Julius Berger, A G Cappa, Strabag, etc.

I'm not serious at all. I'm just joking and pissing about. In fact I don't have a structure speeding towards lintel level as I type.

spyder880:
Owo is the koko my brother

Then there is the issue of bad workmanship. Many of our artisans that do brick laying work are so half baked, Infact, quarter baked to ever produce a good work. These sort of workers are to be avoided because not only will they not be good on the job, they will be racing in their mistakes and spread a lot of bent and crooked walls all over the building. Sloppy mortar application, non pluming of walls, both top and side levels, not rubbing the walls, not being artistic. ( There is a certain amount of arts that goes into the science of building)

The owner will all be too glad to plaster over the walls in order not to be reminded of the horror on the walls.

Why didn't you do at least one wall on your "little and economic " village build?

You know to make those pesky Yankees simmer down? One wall can't be much money.

msogunro:
Your opinion is highly appreciated. If you have nuggets of knowledge to share with us about anything discussed, please feel free to contribute. With the way I see people hailing you left and right on this site, I expected you to chime in with something more substantive than "#importthespacers".

Is it possible to build a wall as neatly as this picture below? Any reason why block walls shouldn't be painted in Nigeria?

Patiently waiting for your response, boss.

NOp cos teh process of making them abroad is different form teh process of making them in Nigeria

erico2k2:
NOp cos teh process of making them abroad is different form teh process of making them in Nigeria

I've even put $100 down on it

It can't be done.

So I looked at the Eternitsap site, my time wasting self quickly found out that it's not a Nigerisn company but from Brussels.

Anyhow, they claim a 3 bedroom house for N3.5 million.

For the love of all things beautiful please DO NOT contact them unless you're serious. This means you Azuh, they can't fix your chiken piller

Agarawu you should look at this and put it on one of your lots there in Ibadan.

http://www.eternitsap.com/modular-homes/index.php

spyder880:
But remember, with attention to detail, dedication and using the right tools, a flawless wall is very possible in Nigeria.

Thank you for your very thorough response.

mufutau55:
Agreed with you Boss. If you compare the blocks here in USA to that of Naija, you go laugh. The quality is totally different like day and night.
We want to cut corners in everything.

Hajji M.

Oga Hajj, dont even go as far as the US!


Just compare Blocks made by the owner/user within lagos, with a "for sale", commercially made one!
From being very thin (thickness), to being under-sized (wideness), to too much sand and even poor quality sand.... e tire me sef!

Even wood is cut to substandard size!
When Engineers and Architect recommend you use a 2x3 sized wood, you go to the sawmill to buy it and what they sell for you as 2x3 is actually 1.5 x 2.5!

if you query it, they have "ready-made" excuses like: this China machines are not designed to produce 2x3!; It is only Japan machine that still does that size! It is caused by NEPA vibration which makes the machine to lose setting!

Same with Aluminium Roofing sheets: Give me 0.55mm and when l measure it, it is reading 0.47mm!
Oga why now?
It is the machine, it sis China, e.t.c

I ask: So Machine is now the one "setting and controlling" itself?

Even "measures" used in selling food in small quantities are not left out!
What about Petrol Pumps that sell "air" into your fuel tank or using Meters that have been tweaked to slow down?

In Nigeria, everything, almost everything is now substandard.
Cheaters and criminals everywhere, ripping innocent people-off with substandard, adulterated and fake goods.

At times, l think we need a military regime to put things on track in this country..... Not IBB-type o!f Military regime though.



Lastpage

msogunro:
Not the answer I was hoping for, but if it is just the way the blocks are set I believe there is a solution.

We're considering buying concrete block spacers. 3k -4K spacers can be purchased inexpensively.

Of course, the exposed blocks will be treated and the painted walls will get a layer of the appropriate primer.

I dont think it is impossible!
NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE, .....its just a matter of intelligence, commitment and dedication to being focused on your target.

There is this thing l bought at a Store in the UK some years back that literally controls how you put the mortar-mix and the blocks on it, in a sort of semi-automated manner (I had never even bring myself to use it because the one l bought were for smaller red Bricks, not our standard 9" blocks ). With such tool, setting blocks becomes so accurate, neat and fast that anyone can do it.

Another consideration is that most of those Blocks you see set like that, are NOT Hollow Blocks. They are solid blocks, which makes setting them easier and more predictable.

Other considerations are the COST, TIME & PATIENCE required to do such neat jobs.

I had watched an Estate been built in the US state of Maryland, some years back and l was like "This white people sef, how long will it take you to build this Fence that Baba Lati will build in just one day? The guys were so "precise and deliberate" in every detail they do.
It took time but the outcome was "wow"! A master-piece!

Now, over there, work is charged by the hour.
How many of us in Nigeria, are ready to pay our Engineers/Builders/Artisans are standard rate, to do such work at the "required pace" that can produce such master-pieces?

talk is cheap but l know when it comes to shelling out money, the way we all bargain and haggle here is enough to give me an indication of what the answer will be!

According to Chekitaut,

GOOD and CHEAP => wont be FAST
FAST and GOOD => wont be CHEAP
CHEAP and FAST => wont be GOOD

But me, l like it Good, Fast and at a "reasonably-priced" (not necessarily Cheap, but sensible price) ... which only one person has given me.



Lastpage!

msogunro:
Thank you for your very thorough response.

if you are really serious and you want to do it, YOU CAN DO IT....
l can offer "suggestions" which you can read and reject as you feel.

1.) You have to do like TWO Block moulds, to "standard size", for yourself

2.) Get good, stable land. It will enhance your work and reduce your overall cost

3.) Mould your Blocks yourself and use standard quantities of materials (Cement, water and Dust preferably, for strength).
The above three will ensure straight and smooth build that wont need corrections all over the place

4.) Get your Architect and Structural Engineers to give you very detailed drawings..... very explanatory notes along with it.

5.) Get a good Builder (and Artisans) - not ones that would build "lubbish" and then turn around to blame you for their mistakes or ones that are only good at "packaging" internet pictures!
These Builders must be willing to follow "directions to the letter", which means they must be naturally intelligent and hardworking.
Dont forget to be ready to pay them "a good wage/price" so that "rush-rush" wont be their worry or interest.

6.) Get your workers Standard "tools of work" (like Cement mixers, Gauges, Laser Plum and Measures, e.t.c). The idea is that these tools make their work easier and accurate while allowing them to focus on other "details".
I am thinking you want to go/enjoy the "DIY experience", with support from your Builder?

7.) Dont be in a hurry to finish to a deadline.
Work in the Dry season so that RAIN does not wash away your work!
Naija rains are now very wicked, just like the sun. Sun go pepper you for head, rain will now come and blow winds and rain down buckets within a few minutes!
You will need Water-proof paints/cement at some stage of the project

8.) involve your Engineers and Architect at every step of the way.

9.) Start with a small project, like a bungalow, so you can use the experience gained in a bigger-build in the future.

Now, GO FOR IT, when you are ready!



Lastpage!

lastpage:
Oga Hajj, dont even go as far as the US!
Just compare Blocks made by the owner/user within lagos, with a "for sale", commercially made one!
From being very thin (thickness), to being under-sized (wideness), to too much sand and even poor quality sand.... e tire me sef!
Lastpage

You are always a very good comprehensive writer. You covered everything in your write-up. Very true with all you have said.

Hajji M.

mufutau55:
You are always a very good comprehensive writer. You covered everything in your write-up. Very true with all you have said.

Hajji M.

Thanks for the complement Oga Hajj M,

We are looking up to you naah.



Lastpage!

Then again, there is the issue of cost. Comparing some foreign made materials with their Nigerian counterparts will reveal a lot of difference. Compare this pictured block which is sold abroad for $1.15, which in Nigeria could be exchanged for about N350 x 1.15 = N402.50.

When you consider that the average block in Nigeria is sold at around N130.00, you will see that each foreign block can buy 3 Nigerian blocks with N12.50 change to spare.

The dimensions of the foreign block is even smaller than the Nigerian block,
Foreign block pictured is about 16 " x 8" x 8" while Nigerian blocks in the same category is measured 18" x 9" x 9". The difference here is that in a wall where you would have used 80 Nigerian blocks, you will need 90 foreign blocks to cover same space.

How many of our people will pay N402.50 for each block without having other people call him and say "the contractor robbed you" Let us compare things with value in mind.

Cost and Quality comes hand in hand.

There are several material testing labs all over the country. #NairalandIsNotOne

Lets stop having a Champagne taste on a "Zobo" budget.

There are quality vibrated blocks around (N500 per unit) if we truly want to buy. There are standard and approved iron rods in the market if we wanted to buy them. There are good roofing woods and lightweight steel trusses fabricators if we wanted to have them (At least most of the new event centers (marquee tents) are locally built).

And of course, there are noise makers like me and you who can only talk but not show the difference 30 - 100 years of sojourn in developed cities made in them. Only to show us how to take steps backward. How to replace industry standards with wishful thoughts.

I'm observing though!


_________
I just gave a good insight to how we got here in the first place. Oya! As usual attack the messenger and ignore the message. Oyinbo my foot!


#AriwoKo

Good Morning from NextHome!

Brabus

n3xt:
In other words, Nigeria construction company cannot handle such a job.
Is that what you mean?

It was executed by Nigerian construction companies, majorly Psylicron Solutions Limited and few other indigenous companies, all Lagos based and not "Osun or Ibadan based company". Nigerite just got the project then contracted it out.

EgunMogaji:
The heavy foreign influence and engineering is evident to me. So even the Belgium folks are here to eat the cake too.

You shared an housing estate before also. Who are the engineering/construction firm please?

Thanks.

Nigerite is owned by Etex Group! A couple of their foreign representatives only came around to show off when the project was completed. They only sell the products, they don't do the job!

The estate displayed was handled by PSYLICRON!

Dominionng:
It was executed by Nigerian construction companies, majorly Psylicron Solutions Limited and few other indigenous companies, all Lagos based and not "Osun or Ibadan based company". Nigerite just got the project then contracted it out.

Thank you. Much respect. So many indigenous coys got the deal. I have a design of one of the school sent to me by one of the bidders.

Bros, you'll only fall my hand if you say that piece of cake is something only foreigners can do. Even the finishes is not up to the standard of finished quarters at Alausa. Then I'll know where to place Dominionng.

#AirinJinNa

Why do we engage foreign artisans? A typical "Yoruba" construction worker is lazy by default. This explains the reason why Togolese, Ghanians and other foreign artisans are mostly used.

Why do we need foreign support? Our research centers have failed us. We need to ride on their expertise and successes to achieve more. Which construction company in the whole world won't do that?
ETEX gave NIGERITE support and people were sent abroad for training. Even a common Pendini (Kitchen Maker) sent people to Italy for training cos they know it'll cost more to do it the other way.

#WillTheyEvenKnowTheDifference?

I get work jor.

EgunMogaji:
I've even put $100 down on it

It can't be done.

Ah I add £100 to that ahah
Howe've you remember that bricky tool I showed us wen we was at the other thread b4 this was formed?
That would make the mortar finish almost perfect

n3xt:
Thank you. Much respect. So many indigenous coys got the deal. I have a design of one of the school sent to me by one of the bidders.

Bros, you'll only fall my hand if you say that piece of cake is something only foreigners can do. Even the finishes is not up to the standard of finished quarters at Alausa. Then I'll know where to place Dominionng.

#AirinJinNa

Why do we engage foreign artisans? A typical "Yoruba" construction worker is lazy by default. This explains the reason why Togolese, Ghanians and other foreign artisans are mostly used.

Why do we need foreign support? Our research centers have failed us. We need to ride on their expertise and successes to achieve more. Which construction company in the whole world won't do that?
ETEX gave NIGERITE support and people were sent abroad for training. Even a common Pendini (Kitchen Maker) sent people to Italy for training cos they know it'll cost more to do it the other way.

#WillTheyEvenKnowTheDifference?

I get work jor.

I don't think sending leopard for training is a bad thing
Remember. If you where trained locally on a machine you might need More technical training for maintainacne. You will learn more via exposure.

erico2k2:
I don't think sending leopard for training is a bad thing
Remember. If you where trained locally on a machine you might need More technical training for maintainacne. You will learn more via exposure.

Cinemas and shopping malls were reintroduced in Nigeria by the South Africans in 2005 or so (The Palms, Lekki, Ceddi Plaza, Abuja and Silverbird Galleria, VI the pioneer). Then I could remember how they come in every mins to fix stuff. You may need to find out who maintains those malls for more than a decade now.
Everyone from the MD down to the cleaners are Nigerians and they deal with the most sophiscated gadgets you can ever mention. Maybe that's the reason why I'm tagged Jack.

Anyway, it didn't take long before we took over operations and for more than a decade now, more shopping malls and cinemas that is rated above average are springing up here and there in Nigeria.

You still believe it's purely foreigners at work.

Bros, think different!

Now the interesting part is that all those malls and cinemas were built with drywall. They were all open plan. So what's the biggie about drywall constructions? smh

I worked on quite a number of them with team of highly experienced professionals (locals and foreigners) who handled the installations.

They were all Nigerians. The only foreigners I ever worked with were the Software Guys who designed the POS terminal OS.

Abi, make I dey show pictures of what we did almost 2 decades ago that some people have not seen in Nigeria before.

These are not corner shops "Bosun Davies" is my name. Find out from those who truly matters in those malls and cinemas.

And funny enough, the best place una go sit down when you come from your developed cities are those malls we support for almost 2 decades now. Why not one of those your most sophisticated wishful dream houses of yours.

n3xt:
Cost and Quality comes hand in hand.

There are several material testing labs all over the country. #NairalandIsNotOne

Lets stop having a Champagne taste on a "Zobo" budget.

There are quality vibrated blocks around (N500 per unit) if we truly want to buy. There are standard and approved iron rods in the market if we wanted to buy them. There are good roofing woods and lightweight steel trusses fabricators if we wanted to have them (At least most of the new event centers (marquee tents) are locally built).

And of course, there are noise makers like me and you who can only talk but not show the difference 30 - 100 years of sojourn in developed cities made in them. Only to show us how to take steps backward. How to replace industry standards with wishful thoughts.

I'm observing though!


_________
I just gave a good insight to how we got here in the first place. Oya! As usual attack the messenger and ignore the message. Oyinbo my foot!


#AriwoKo

Brabus! Brabus!! Brabus!!!








-------------------------------
How .many times did I call you?

segcymoor:


Brabus! Brabus!! Brabus!!!

-------------------------------
How .many times did I call you?

Just 3 times. I'm the voice of reason.