Before you Build: Know What Need To Be Done

brabus

Have a plan, research alternatives, and establish a budget 💸 and schedule 📋️ that work for you.

It surprise me when I read some comments online like “Can I put parapet on my structure? How many boards raft can I do for a duplex? Do I sink my septic tank or suspend it in the air? 😆 Do I install the tiles before the doors 🚪 or wires before the pipe work?”
This is a typical Naija man’s mentality - putting the cart before the horse 🏇

AVOID costly mistakes 🕳️ - Do your homework BEFORE you open your wallet! 👛

How do I start?

brabus

If you are sticking to a tight budget 💸 try not to over indulge in luxury items at the cost of more important features in your house.
The bigger your plan, the more expensive your building project becomes. Each square metre costs money and if it just going to be superfluous you should think twice about having it.
Go for cheaper options of certain items, for example, instead of actual granite top in your kitchen you could opt for a tile lookalike. Whilst the finish isn’t quite as deluxe, it still does the job and will save you a couple of naira.
Ask Questions? This sounds simple, but if something does not seem right at the time, it most likely isn’t – don’t be afraid to ask any questions about it, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You could even ask an outside and impartial source.
Remember your priorities - Know where to save and where not to bat an eye. If your properties foundations are dodgy, then the whole building is doomed. Your foundation is more expensive than an expensive roof.
Always remember that things will most likely go wrong during the construction and this may mean that schedules have to adapt. Plan everything and make provision for excusable delays
Imperfections are inevitable but they can more often than not be fixed; just ask. If you notice an error, don’t blow it out of proportion. Stop the project and get advice from an impartial source.
Record everything. Write down everything you agree on, if it’s just spoken words it can be interpreted differently by both you and the builder. If you write down everything and keep a detailed record of all agreements you can minimise disputes.
Keep everything; receipts, sales slips, model numbers, chat messages, phone call records. This might sound too much, but it will be required if anything were to go wrong or disputes were to arise.
Make sure you have a detailed plan of everything you require from the house build, it will allow for a much smoother construction period and a far better result.

mank1234

brabus these points are spot on especially number 8 and 9. People forget what they promised deliberately or unintentionally. The record will help put things straight. I’m book marking this page and it’s a must read for every intending house owner.

tomaths

brabus Go for cheaper options of certain items, for example, instead of actual granite top in your kitchen you could opt for a tile lookalike. Whilst the finish isn’t quite as deluxe, it still does the job and will save you a couple of naira.

naa so oooo

administrator

Thank You 🙏🏻

Teemaye

Thanks a lot @brabus for this, I am about commencing a project and I been doing my research and budgeting as I want to have a good idea of where I am going. These points actually just brighten and gave me more energy to perfect things before commencing. Thanks a lot.

brabus

Teemaye You can take advantages this community offer her members to build your dream house.

We will support you every step of the way.

Teemaye

Thanks Boss, as it seems, you are a Principality in this Arena, there is a project coming up, I will share the plan for House’s guidance and counselling as soon as I receive it. Can the House please link me up me a very good structural Engineer. Thanks.

mank1234

Teemaye Look up @mastermovic

mastermovic

Thanks mank1234 Teemaye its good you are planning your project in the right directions and scope, kindly share the plan and soil test of this project with likely scope

brabus

Teemaye @mastermovic is here to help you with your structure.

Teemaye

mastermovic
Thanks mastermovic, waiting for the architectural draft, sanding filling will commence today/tomorrow, depending on how well we are able to clear root debris and plastics that were thrown into the plot be neighboring occupants from the plot. I was advise to sand fill before soil test.

Teemaye

brabus Thanks a lot Boss

brabus

Teemaye who gave this advice? To sandfill before soil test?

mastermovic

Teemaye pls do soil test before sand filling the soil test will gve recommendations on soil improvement and level of compaction and some firm will do the soil test again after the recommendations to determine the safe bearing capacity

Teemaye

brabus Engineer (but, he is the one to handle the project though)

Teemaye

mastermovic Hmmmmm, thanks a lot, really appreciated, let me start putting a stop work order to the sand filling already planned for tomorrow.
Really appreciated.

Teemaye

mastermovic Please can you recommend a Geologist ASAP like tomorrow to come and perform the soil test?.
Once their samples are collected, can they still continue with the sand filling tomorrow?, please advise. Thanks

brabus

mastermovic Hello sir, please kindly make this a priority.

@Teemaye you can also use the forums chat function to send direct message to @mastermovic

Dont be in a rush to start. That land I’m seeing in the image you shared above needs to checked to determine safe bearing capacity and foundation type.

brabus

Teemaye Welcome to the best naija forum for self and owner builders.

You can never ever go wrong here. 💪

Teemaye

brabus Thanks a lot, I have already started earning benefits