STEPS IN BUILDING A HOUSE IN NIGERIA

Just like watching a toddler walk for the first time, It can be a thing of joy to watch your building progress from start to finish. As opposed to buying a house, building a house from scratch affords you the luxury of designing the house to your taste, and seeing this plan come together can be rewarding. Depending on topography, soil texture and structure, type of designs etc The House building process could vary in different locations. However, in this article, We will be covering general ones that most likely may work generally in Nigeria.

Before starting any building construction, especially in Nigeria, you have to go through some preliminary phases in order to get the authorization and approvals needed to start your project.

Building drawings and permits

When you want to start a building project, the first step is to get architectural drawings that suit your taste from an architect and structural drawings drawn by a structural engineer. Once all drawings have been made, a quantity surveyor then prepares for you a bill of quantities quoting the likely amount of money you will expend to bring the project into reality. You should then obtain your building approval from the relevant government authorities. It is only when the building has been approved for construction that you are legally free to start site preparation and construction.

building a house 

Site Preparation:

After the "documentation and permitting stage", the project can progress to the next phase called "site preparation". This stage entails clearing weeds on the land and filling the land with laterite if it is waterlogged to avoid flooding and to facilitate smooth construction.

After the preliminary phase, it's safe to proceed to the construction proper consisting of :

Foundation

Foundation is the first construction activity to be carried out physically on site. Firstly the building is set out to locate the positions for the foundation footing and building walls. After setting out, concrete for foundation footing is poured and the foundation is constructed in alignment with the specifications gotten from architectural and structural drawings. The Builder is the professional who should be on-site to manage and supervise all construction activities. After the foundation is done, the floor (also made of mass concrete) is constructed.

Framing.

Framing entails the joining together of structural components of the building such as the columns, beams, and upper floors (if any), commonly made of reinforced concrete to achieve the desired structural integrity of the building. A-frame can be described as the skeletal structure of a house. A strong frame will provide support for other components of the building. When working on the frame of a house, it is important to get it right because a weak frame has a high chance of falling apart in the future.

Walling

Since the inception of housing, roofs and walls have been key elements of building and are constantly in demand. In older times, stones were used as bricks, but with the advent of cement, both stones have become obsolete. Sandcrete blocks (made of cement, sand, and water) and bonded together by mortar are commonly used in the construction of building walls. The wall provides protection to building occupants from intruders and adverse weather conditions.

Roofing

Houses are roofed using various types of roofing sheets depending on aesthetic taste and of course the financial capacity of the building financier. The roofing sheets are anchored to roof frames commonly made of timber that gives shape and rigidity to the roof. The roof precludes rays of sun, dust, and rain droplets from gaining direct access into the building. The roof should be sufficiently sloped to allow for easy draining of rain droplets and to increase the life span of the roofing sheets.

Plumbing, Electricals & Insulation

The plumbing pipes should be fitted to facilitate water supply into the overhead water storage cistern and then into every unit and room of the building where water will be needed. Provision should be made to drain wastewater from the building and channel it into the septic tank or soakaway. Also, a good electrical installation and insulation work should be carried out at this stage by a competent Electrician. Conduit cable pipes are laid with cables passing through them to supply power to different points in the building. Also, insulation in buildings is often used as a hedge against fire outbreaks and electrical glitches. Insulation is important for energy management. Without good insulation in place in a house, you will most likely be paying huge heating and cooling bills as your building will be consuming more electricity. Common insulation materials include rock wool, glass wool, polystyrene, plant straw, cellulose, animal fibre, soil, and cement.

Finishes

Once the framing, floor, walls, and roof have been put in place, then floor tiles, window/ door frames, and fittings can be installed. Ceiling (which can either be installed of Asbestos, PVC, POP, or Acoustic) and painting also fall in the category of building finishes. Impeccable interior and exterior design can give your building a facelift and a well-executed design can give life to your home with its appearance making your home a beautiful place to live in.

steps in building a house 

Install Exterior Walkways and Driveway:

Walkways and driveways are necessary as they make your home accessible. It is important to have a quality long-lasting walkway and driveway to prevent collapse. Driveways are prone to collapse when they are exposed to constant walking and pressure from vehicles.

CONCLUSION

These are the basic building steps involved in building a house in Nigeria. We are delighted to have walked you through the a – z of building your home and hope you find the fulfilment that comes with building your own house from scratch. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. if you are new in the real estate sector, you might consider familiarizing yourself with the steps involved in investing in real estate in Nigeria. Check out our article on beginners guide involved in real estate investment

Source:

Pwanmax 

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