NewStats: 3,263,631 , 8,180,852 topics. Date: Friday, 06 June 2025 at 11:28 PM 622n31

MY LATEST ARTICLE:

https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/5420029/how-calculate-quantity-tiles-needed

We've got a testimony we can be proud of..... cheesy

pics below

Hi @ saydfact. Hmm. wonderful work you're doing. I just came across this page yesterday and I have been reading it page by page. this has been so encouraging. Because of this work I have now gathered the courage to venture into this soonest. I also want to say thank you to the contributors your questions make it clear, and have highlighted the challenges. however these vary with the kind of people we encounter but we gat saydfact for better clarification.

Thanks once again.

Hello sir , can we chat privately on whatsapp 09024580594 i need a 5 bedrooms bungalow design to build .

Andibot:
Hi @ saydfact. Hmm. wonderful work you're doing. I just came across this page yesterday and I have been reading it page by page. this has been so encouraging. Because of this work I have now gathered the courage to venture into this soonest. I also want to say thank you to the contributors your questions make it clear, and have highlighted the challenges. however these vary with the kind of people we encounter but we gat saydfact for better clarification.

Thanks once again.

Thanks for your nice words, they are well appreciated.... and I'm always available.

Yes, you really need to start yours soon; finally sorry my reply comes late - I was serving 1 week ban ...

Plz oga Saydfact, can a new window/door be introduced in a wall which has no lintel originally? If yes, what should be the best way to go about it? Thanks as I anticipate your professional advice as usual.

joycluv:
Plz oga Saydfact, can a new window/door be introduced in a wall which has no lintel originally? If yes, what should be the best way to go about it? Thanks as I anticipate your professional advice as usual.

The answer is YES.... but before demolishing the door space to introduce the door or window, you also have to introduce a lintel

see sketch below.
pics1 - open a space (A) wider than the door or window width and place a precast lintel into it
pics2&3 - once the lintel is well secured and cemented (next day) - open the door and/or window (B/C) space.

Goodluck.

Note: We have a team ready to serve you now....

[color=#770077][/color]

Well said by saydfact.
You may as well do a cast in-situ (cast in place) in this case you need a higher opening to allow for concrete pouring.
Thank you

saydfact:


The answer is YES.... but before demolishing the door space to introduce the door or window, you also have to introduce a lintel

see sketch below.
pics1 - open a space (A) wider than the door or window width and place a precast lintel into it
pics2&3 - once the lintel is well secured and cemented (next day) - open the door and/or window (B/C) space.

Goodluck.

Note: We have a team ready to serve you now....

HomeIntegral:
[color=#770077][/color]

Well said by saydfact.
You may as well do a cast in-situ (cast in place) in this case you need a higher opening to allow for concrete pouring.
Thank you

thanks - and rightly so that's another option;

Another NL follower gets a design to cherish.

Thanks for the patronage...

Good evening house,
I have a 3bdrm house that is at the roofing level.
Will 2million be able to roof it and put other finishes like plumbing, electrical etc.
I just need simple stuff so as to move in, nothing luxurious.

bobkezel:
Good evening house,
I have a 3bdrm house that is at the roofing level.
Will 2million be able to roof it and put other finishes like plumbing, electrical etc.
I just need simple stuff so as to move in, nothing luxurious.

Morning, The answer you're looking for is YES...

Goodluck

saydfact:


Morning, The answer you're looking for is YES...

Goodluck

Thanks boss,
I would love a break down, if you don't mind. � �

bobkezel:

Thanks boss,
I would love a break down, if you don't mind. � �

sorry - I sent a wrong reply to your question - earlier

on the breakdown on how far 2m can go; what's the size (L x B) of the structure?

regards

saydfact:


every1 on NL reads the 1st comment, many wont read the 2nd or 3rd - so if you wanna share an idea / biz and stuff - you'll get better audience..

no physical cash is attached to it

I didnt get that

bobkezel:

I didnt get that

post above this is edited accordinly

also:
bobkezel: - are you considering roofing, electrical and plumbing ONLY? or is window, doors, tiling works etc also included> ?

please be clear

saydfact:


post above this is edited accordinly

also:
bobkezel: - are you considering roofing, electrical and plumbing ONLY? or is window, doors, tiling works etc also included> ?

please be clear

Yes windows, doors, tiling etc is also included.

bobkezel:

Yes windows, doors, tiling etc is also included.

Roofing would cost you about 600k on low budget
ceiling shd run into 150k minimum
Windows and Doors would cost you 600k on low budget (about 10 doors and 10 casement windows)
Tiling can't be less than 300k (Tiles, material, and labour)
Mech and Electrical should be around 500k (with quality Nigerian cable; DO NOT use inferior wires. Zero compromises)
Painting about 150k on low budget

There would offcourse be a lot of smaller tasks to deal with...

MY ADVICE: Don't waste the 2m thinking it's too small to achieve something; it can achieve a lot - Just roof the building and use the balance for internal works, as much as it can take.

NOTE: I did this with the assumption that you have done the concrete flooring, and there is plastering of about 300k too...
Goodluck

saydfact:



Roofing would cost you about 600k on low budget
ceiling shd run into 150k minimum
Windows and Doors would cost you 600k on low budget (about 10 doors and 10 casement windows)
Tiling can't be less than 300k (Tiles, material, and labour)
Mech and Electrical should be around 500k (with quality Nigerian cable; DO NOT use inferior wires. Zero compromises)
Painting about 150k on low budget

There would offcourse be a lot of smaller tasks to deal with...

MY ADVICE: Don't waste the 2m thinking it's too small to achieve something; it can achieve a lot - Just roof the building and use the balance for internal works, as much as it can take.

NOTE: I did this with the assumption that you have done the concrete flooring, and there is plastering of about 300k too...
Goodluck

Thanks a lot, this will guide as a template.

bobkezel:

Thanks a lot, this will guide as a template.

UWC

Hi Good People,
Please for a bungalow, does using a triangle lintel iron have any effect on the building?

Muyi002:
Hi Good People,
Please for a bungalow, does using a triangle lintel iron have any effect on the building?

I answered you on the other thread, but for record purpose i'll repeat it here...

There is nothing wrong with using 3 bars in a lintel - just make sure it's 12mm iron (minimum) you are using...

regards

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020 TO EVERYONE HERE.


THIS YEAR WOULD BE GREATER THAN THE PREVIOUS.

AMEN...... #GRATEFUL

saydfact:
HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2017 would be the year we all would make progress in our plans and building....God Willing.


No5: Roofing (Aluminum Long Span)

Welcome back!
I've seen some thread on NL where the OP talked about buying logs and it been cut into sizes to do the roof; our purpose is not to spend the minimum possible but get value for the right professional job done.

We would be using standards as usual i.e 2 by 6 for Rafters, 2 by 4 for struts etc., so lets start by listing the standard sizes of hard wood required for this carcase.

2'' x 6'' ie 50mm x 150mm = Rafter
3 x 4 = Wall-Plate
2 x 4 = Struts
2 x 3 = Purlin / Batten
2 x 2 = Nogging (Ceiling Hangers)
1ft x 12ft = Facial Board

See attached pics 1 for representation, location & use of each roof member, also see pics 2 for the roof plan to our building plan.

Often times you find carpenters using 2 x 4 for rafters and or wall-plates, this and many more poor construction practices are reasons why after about about a year or two, the structure begins to fail. Do what's right and on the long run its cheaper for you.

Next we'll calculate the quantities of wood needed (I don't recommend type of wood, your carpenter can do that ie Akun, Itara etc) but whatever choice you pick spend a little more to treat it.

From Calculation (Using attached roof plan) we have:

Material Quantity & Cost.

Hard Wood:
Wall-plates (3x4) = 18 @ N850 = 15300
Rafter (2x6) = 60 @ N900 = 54000
Struts (2x4) = 55 @ N600 = 33000
Purlin (2x3) = 65 @ N450 = 29250
Nogging (2x2) = 165 @ N350 = 57750
Facial Board (1x12) = 16 @ N2000 = 32000

Total for Wood = 221,300
Transport to site = 30,000
Police & Area boys fees = 10,000

Roof Covering:
Our first exercise is to get the surface area of the area to be covered with roof then we had for waste. The first method is to find the area on the roof plan and add 20% for slope and actual length (approximate method) but in more complex roof, its better to use the actual lengths (calculated via Pythagoras and section through roof) or measured on site after carcase has been constructed.

Using the second method our roof surface area is = 172.8 (add 10% waste) = 190m2
We also have the surface area of the eave as = 36 (add 10% waste) = 40m2

NOW MULTIPLE THIS AREA BY THE COST OF YOUR ROOFING MATERIAL.... depending on your choice of roofing material you might need to calculate the m2 of each sheet then divide 190/S (where S is the m2 of one sheet) so you know how many roofing sheets you need to buy.

Using the prices of Dsrooftiles for 0.55mm Guage Aluminum Roofing sheets (Long span)- 1,950 Per meter (first I would convert to m2) - depending on the width of your roofing sheet varies from 600mm, 900mm or 1200mm or more but we'll use 900mm which I believe is the price given above.

1m of long span = (0.9*1)m2 = 0.9m2 hence 1m2 = 1950/.9 = approx N2,200

Cost of Roof covering = N2200 x 190 = 418,000
lets also use same material for our eaves = N2200 x 40 = 88,000

Thats not all, we still have our accessories; #wink - if the price is getter higher than your budget already you can also use the 'Nigerite / Eternit Fibre Cement Sheets' (more affordable) and well recommended.

Accessories: Facial board, ridge cap, gutter, hooks, nails and more depending on your choice, this would naturally run into about 100k (double #wink) - but you could use asbestos for the eaves instead of aluminum to save cost too. Its your choice and pocket.

TOTAL MATERIAL COST = N867,300

Labour (carpentry works of carcase) and aluminum installer should run to about 180,000 (this depends on who and how good they are)

TOTAL COST FOR ROOFING THE DESIGN ATTACHED = N1,047,300 (USING QUALITY 0.55 thick ALUMINUM ALL ROUND)

to have about N50K ready if area boys are in your area and another 50k for miscellaneous

HENCE = N1,147,300 (One million, one hundred and forty seven thousand, three hundred naira)

NOTE: YOU COULD REDUCE OR INCREASE THE COST IN THIS SECTION JUST BY CHANGING CHOICE OF MATERIAL....


ALWAYS ENSURE YOU SPEND AS LITTLE AS 25K TO TREAT YOUR WOOD.

**If I left anything out, please draw my attention to it.


No6: Windows and Doors - I wont be discussing Mechanical and Electrical works because its a specialist job that needs the advice of appropriate professional, and largely dependent on the quality and choice of the builder.

We would continue from here next week.

Stay Tuned.... THANKS.

Good morning oga saydfact,
Thanks for living up to your name.
My question....
Is alo zinc the same as cameroon zinc, and is it recommended for roofing?
If yes, how many bundles of it will be enough for the sample of that 3 bedroom?
Thanks

saydfact:
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020 TO EVERYONE HERE.


THIS YEAR WOULD BE GREATER THAN THE PREVIOUS.

AMEN...... #GRATEFUL

Happy new year Mr Saydfact, Thanks for all the advice
Please how many blocks do I need to fence a plot measuring 17 x 30.
I’ll appreciate your help.

Tjutt:


Happy new year Mr Saydfact, Thanks for all the advice
Please how many blocks do I need to fence a plot measuring 17 x 30.
I’ll appreciate your help.

Sorry.. I've been busy and away for a while.
17by30 meters OR feet?

Also, what's the height of the fence? Or how many courses of blocks high

saydfact:


Sorry.. I've been busy and away for a while.
17by30 meters OR feet?

Also, what's the height of the fence? Or how many courses of blocks high

The plot is 500m2 @ 10 courses

[b][/hi,arcitect. This is good counsel for us all generally in this construction business. Will you soon as i have a client.

saydfact:


Nice questions asked.

My advice is always have enough money to get your site to the German floor level before starting or at least to the filling level (because German floor is a lot of cash)

Your 1st stage should include:
a. Foundation
b. Blocks to foundation
c. Dig your septic tank and soak away ( https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/3502464/how-build-comfortable-house-earning ) I explained why on that link under No6.
d. fill the site and get it well compacted.

YOU CAN NOW TAKE THAT REST.......... if there is no money for German Floor just yet, make sure you visit the site often and ensure that no plant, tree, shrub whatever is growing on your site.... it could weaken your foundation if you allow them.

Thanks.. Good Luck


eddyline: THE ABOVE DOES NOT STOP YOU FROM BUYING SAND, GRANITE, CEMENT, BLOCKS AND STORING ON AND OFF SITE....... Once you have enough material and labour cost, kick off; that's what I mean.

Pls how much will it cost to build a simple security house with toilet and kitchen and small soak away. The soil is very okay. Thanks in advance.

NewAgeLagos:
[b][/hi,arcitect. This is good counsel for us all generally in this construction business. Will you soon as i have a client.

Thanks sir

Tjutt:


The plot is 500m2 @ 10 courses

Sir, what is needed is the Length and Breath of the land... Is it 17m by 30m or 17ft by 30ft or otherwise?

Area of land can't be used because what we want to calculate is linear.

Regards....

adezie:
Pls how much will it cost to build a simple security house with toilet and kitchen and small soak away. The soil is very okay. Thanks in advance.

I'll most likely go with a sum in the region of 700k - 800k

Building about 600k-650k and 100k-150k for septic tank..
Small as you say...

Note. It's just an estimate, actual cost wld need design.