oyb:


in theory there is no way. i work in downstream oil and gas and you cannot believe all the scams tanker drivers get up to. adjustd calibration charts, secret compartments, mattresses in the tank; they know their way around all your measures.

i'm fairly sure some scams like this exist in the business of moving building materials

Very true, nothing is foolproof.

They got to Ronald Regan, they can get to anybody.

adeyanwale5:



suleja

I am in suleja presently, we can set up a meeting to meet up and see the land

InvertedHammer:


Is there any "tested and confirmed" foolproof way to prevent this scam?

Bixton: Getting another supplier may not be the solution because there is no guarantee that it won't be another scammer-in-waiting. How long do you intend to do this until you get a trustworthy supplier?

Nigeria is indeed an "interesting" place for transactions.

Is there a reason (other than greed) for the huge disparity in price between N/SW and SE/SS. 30T granite in Lagos is N145k. Right? But in the SE/SS, the price they are quoting is N270k for 30T.

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I have really struggled with the chippings maffia in many states here in Nigeria. What have I not done, but the big trucks seemed to be winning, (once slept in my car on site waiting for them that comes to offload at midnight) I now changed tactics. I have noted that;

1. Following the load from the quarry does not stop them ripping you off. The deed is done inside the loading room, then on the road.
2. Trusting a dealer or supplier might be good, but many of them are still going to try and rip you off, except Chekitaut.
3. Shorting loads on the road is a norm, and they are not happy if they cannot.

Because of this I started using smaller trucks to supply my sites. Small Mercedes 911 trucks heaped up gives me a certain load which I can rely on. Slow as it might be to do 4-5 loads to equal 30tonnes but I know what to expect.

For a full 30tonnes, you need a longer trailer, it cannot enter into many of my sites as they are small streets. Price is N270k or more depending on location. If I do 5 loads of 911 trucks at N55,000-N60,000, it might give me a load which I might not even get with all my carefulness in 30tonnes.

Two heaped loads, afternoon korokoro offloading, N110,000 for the two loads, no stories.

This is not an advice against the big trucks, if you have the time to follow them around or you can get trusted suppliers, do what works for you.

Happy weekend everyone.

bixton:


There are no trust worthy supplier(s) at least not in construction business. One can only minimize his loss through careful bargaining.


There are natural granite pits in the North, West and East.
The pits in the South South (Edo/Cross River) and South East ( Enugu/Ebonyi) serves the rests of the states within that geographical location. Once one is able to factor in the transportation cost of conveying the material to his site then there goes the disparity. Also there is the issue of geological material type and it varies.

I am not too sure of the price in the East. But there is a wide gap when compared to the South most especially Rivers State and Bayelsa.

But do people still buy at 270k for 30tons in the South-South. Please which precise area in the South South is that?

There are many chippings quarry sites in the south east but concentrated in 2 states of Ebonyi and Abia states. I have been to over 10 of such sites. Enugu has only strong brown stones.

spyder880:


I have really struggled with the chippings maffia in many states here in Nigeria. What have I not done, but the big trucks seemed to be winning, (once slept in my car on site waiting for them that comes to offload at midnight) I now changed tactics. I have noted that;

1. Following the load from the quarry does not stop them ripping you off. The deed is done inside the loading room, then on the road.
2. Trusting a dealer or supplier might be good, but many of them are still going to try and rip you off, except Chekitaut.
3. Shorting loads on the road is a norm, and they are not happy if they cannot.

Because of this I started using smaller trucks to supply my sites. Small Mercedes 911 trucks heaped up gives me a certain load which I can rely on. Slow as it might be to do 4-5 loads to equal 30tonnes but I know what to expect.

For a full 30tonnes, you need a longer trailer, it cannot enter into many of my sites as they are small streets. Price is N270k or more depending on location. If I do 5 loads of 911 trucks at N55,000-N60,000, it might give me a load which I might not even get with all my carefulness in 30tonnes.

Thanks for the input. I'd rather buy in tipper loads then. 911 should be about 10 tonnes? Even the tonnage of the delivery trucks comes into question. I'd always suspected some collusion between the folks at the quarry and the suppliers.

/

spyder880:


There are many chippings quarry sites in the south east but concentrated in 2 states of Ebonyi and Abia states. I have been to over 10 of such sites. Enugu has only strong brown stones.

Okay.....Ebonyi and Abia.
In other circles, certain engineers prefer the white coloured granite against the dark type.
What's your take on it as it's suitability for concrete works usage?

bixton:


Okay.....Ebonyi and Abia.
In other circles, certain engineers prefer the white coloured granite against the dark type.
What's your take on it as it's suitability for concrete works usage?

I wish I have samples here.

The white coloured granite are of two types. There are the very hard crystallised granites that look shiny and very tough to crush. There is also the ones not yet fully formed white types that may break under physical pressure. There are ones that act like chalk, there are those that are light weight. My attention was called one day in a nearby site, of chippings that float when placed on water!

The black granite are good, but look for the best types. Some quarry at Ezillo has low quality chippings. We like buying from Abakaliki. The best are from Ishiagu, or Uturu areas.

Whether black, white or mixed, look for very hard granites that are shiny and looks like they have precious stones inside.

mufutau55:


You guys sef! Matter don finish. @Chekitaut, nobody is safe from you guys o.
@EgunMogaji, we go dey import granite from America ni o.

Hajji M.

Oga Haji, do you know that few truck owners lift 30tons this is major reason our service delay we patiently wait for available ones...i still maintain my position on granite delivery agree my price get what you pay for, anything less am not interested talk to someone else... Am scare to be tried to destroy my integrity, i do not do all jobs... because i want to maintain a standard for myself.

spyder880:


I wish I have samples here.

The white coloured granite are of two types. There are the very hard crystallised granites that look shiny and very tough to crush. There is also the ones not yet fully formed white types that may break under physical pressure. There are ones that act like chalk, there are those that are light weight. My attention was called one day in a nearby site, of chippings that float when placed on water!

The black granite are good, but look for the best types. Some quarry at Ezillo has low quality chippings. We like buying from Abakaliki. The best are from Ishiagu, or Uturu areas.

Whether black, white or mixed, look for very hard granites that are shiny and looks like they have precious stones inside.

I do usually pick mine from Crush Rock/Ishiagu.

I will pay more attention to shiny crystalline surfaces.
Thanks for the insight.

InvertedHammer:


Thanks for the input. I'd rather buy in tipper loads then. 911 should be about 10 tonnes? Even the tonnage of the delivery trucks comes into question. I'd always suspected some collusion between the folks at the quarry and the suppliers.

/

Loading 911 sometimes is ripping off too, sometimes ago i load from Calabar(Akanmpa) 8trucks of 911 after loading like the truck will not get to site, believe me highest is 8.77tons. I told all of them to go & offload back i paid 2k for gas for all the 8trucks... told client i can not delivery what i get here.

what is the cost of 30 tonnes granite and 30 tonnes sharp sand to Ayobo in the mainland and I need it for Saturday 17th February.

Chekitaut:
Oga Haji, do you know that few truck owners lift 30tons this is major reason our service delay we patiently wait for available ones...i still maintain my position on granite delivery agree my price get what you pay for, anything less am not interested talk to someone else... Am scare to be tried to destroy my integrity, i do not do all jobs... because i want to maintain a standard for myself.

mufutau55:

Got a WhatsApp number for chat?
Hajji M.

08158942188. Thank you

spyder880:


I wish I have samples here.

The white coloured granite are of two types. There are the very hard crystallised granites that look shiny and very tough to crush. There is also the ones not yet fully formed white types that may break under physical pressure. There are ones that act like chalk, there are those that are light weight. My attention was called one day in a nearby site, of chippings that float when placed on water!

The black granite are good, but look for the best types. Some quarry at Ezillo has low quality chippings. We like buying from Abakaliki. The best are from Ishiagu, or Uturu areas.

Whether black, white or mixed, look for very hard granites that are shiny and looks like they have precious stones inside.

Baba I dey your area oo Wetin dey happen?

twinskenny:


Baba I dey your area oo Wetin dey happen?

For Enugu? I dey Bush house arena dey flex with some of my guys watching the English premier league now. Hope you dey enjoy the area as there is too much fun for this area. All work and no play dey cause dullness o

spyder880:


For Enugu? I dey Bush house arena dey flex with some of my guys watching the English premier league now. Hope you dey enjoy the area as there is too much fun for this area. All work and no play dey cause dullness o

No baba I dey awka...entering umuahia tommorow...enjoy my brother once in a while no shaking

InvertedHammer:


Is there any "tested and confirmed" foolproof way to prevent this scam?

Bixton: Getting another supplier may not be the solution because there is no guarantee that it won't be another scammer-in-waiting. How long do you intend to do this until you get a trustworthy supplier?

Nigeria is indeed an "interesting" place for transactions.

Is there a reason (other than greed) for the huge disparity in price between N/SW and SE/SS. 30T granite in Lagos is N145k. Right? But in the SE/SS, the price they are quoting is N270k for 30T.

\

That quote is too much. In Okigwe, a tonne is 4000N while tport and fees to Owerri is 55k. So looking at 180k max

segzy14:



Let me have the design.

I don't have immediate access to the design, all I know is the design is for a 6-bedroom detached house. That is the photograph of the foundation I posted earlier, which has been confirmed to be a raft foundation. If it would help, the foundation area covers 280 sq.m. I just want a near accurate construction cost per square meter (current industry rates) for this raft foundation.

azpekuliar:


I don't have immediate access to the design, all I know is the design is for a 6-bedroom detached house. That is the photograph of the foundation I posted earlier, which has been confirmed to be a raft foundation. If it would help, the foundation area covers 280 sq.m. I just want a near accurate construction cost per square meter (current industry rates) for this raft foundation.

I’m glad that someone else is interested in getting pricing like this.

There’s no reason why we can’t know price per square whatever in Nigeria.

We copy everything from the oyinbo but not their effectiveness in doing commerce.

Good luck on your project.

ceelog:

That quote is too much. In Okigwe, a tonne is 4000N while tport and fees to Owerri is 55k. So looking at 180k max

I can't say which or what is on the high side. The underlining factor is not being short changed the material quantity supposedly requested and paid for.

How much do you think it would be to pay a supplier who actually escorts a truck from Ishiagu /Akamkpa to Port Harcourt given the number of road hours in a truck accompanying the driver and motor boy making sure there's no yoshi along the way?

The solution to proper materials handling is for one to have a company truck, this is my plan, a 10-ton truck.

Brabus was on to this system and actually bought a Mack.

But as with everything in Nigeria, nothing is foolproof. We've heard that the quarry sellers could be in on a fraudulent scheme too. But one can more effectively manage an employee than a vendor.

bixton:


I am very certain this bungalow comes with a concrete fascia/parapet and that is highly not in contention.


THIS Major Argument is in Doing A SOAKAWAY....................
If there is any ENGINEER here to have done soakaway with basket/column base/column, please present your picture(s).


If it's because of me and any concerned follower that any ENGINEER here will immediately attach a basket in his SOAKAWAY design construction please I am only asking for a picture.


SOAKAWAYS are NOT bungalows.

Thank you.

Only one of the buildings have a concrete fascia. We had as much as 20 columns In it so it wasnt just because of concrete fascia that columns were introduced.

I also feel You're getting it muddled up. I was replying to a post about bungalows. My original post was in response to someone who talked about bungalows.

Most soak always I've done have been in swamp areas and the config doesn't need a supporting column.

The argument is that all columns SHOULD have baskets. If all Engineers in Nigeria don't put basket in their soak away columns doesn't mean it's the correct practice.

ceelog:

That quote is too much. In Okigwe, a tonne is 4000N while tport and fees to Owerri is 55k. So looking at 180k max

/

Are you sure? Do you know any reliable supplier?

\

EgunMogaji:
The solution to proper materials handling is for one to have a company truck, this is my plan, a 10-ton truck.

Brabus was on to this system and actually bought a Mack.

But as with everything in Nigeria, nothing is foolproof. We've heard that the quarry sellers could be in on a fraudulent scheme too. But one can more effectively manage an employee than a vendor.

Sooner or later ChEkItAuT will not supply but only render Haulage services, book the truck take it to Quarry yourself scale in scale out load and follow the truck to offload point. my client will be happy me too will be glad, putting smile on your face.

InvertedHammer:

/

Are you sure? Do you know any reliable supplier?

\

Bros I purchased twice from Okigwe last December. And I know.

bixton:


I can't say which or what is on the high side. The underlining factor is not being short changed the material quantity supposedly requested and paid for.

How much do you think it would be to pay a supplier who actually escorts a truck from Ishiagu /Akamkpa to Port Harcourt given the number of road hours in a truck accompanying the driver and motor boy making sure there's no yoshi along the way?

On the two occasions I ordered for granite from Okigwe (Uturu precisely), on arrival my Engr and casters confirmed it was full load (27tonnes as requested). No complains since then. Paid 50k for tport. #GoodEnoughForMe

ceelog:


Bros I purchased twice from Okigwe last December. And I know.

Evidently it boils down to greed. N4000/ton x 30 == N120k.
Add N50k for transportation. It becomes N170k which is close to price in the North and SW. But the suppliers want N270k. Difference of N100k (not including yoshi). The level of greed I witnessed in the SE is preposterous. To get things right, you just have to do it yourself.

\

Please builders, engineers and clients permit me to ask these questions for a robust discussion. It concerns "Chaining or not Chaining the upper floor lintel".

I am sure comments have been made on this topic previously but permit me to be specific in my request for knowledge.

1. If I decide NOT to "chain or tie" all lintel beams but only place the lintels on door/windows (but will still do a roof beam), is that against building codes or industry best practices?

2. I know Skimanski, one of the best in the business adopts a "no lintel window" but uses the roof beam as "lintel" which produces very tall windows which I admire. I am a bit swayed to choose that style of his as I think the cost saved not "chaining a lintel round the build" can be effectively put into making and fortifying tall windows. I sometimes perceive such windows might be more vulnerable (even with burglaries) to theft and that uninterrupted blocks of 12coaches might be weaker. But is it allowed by building codes?

I call on @aventures @abdulwastecx @spyder880 @Kolashangone @Skimanski @darenyx @diodarves @daboomb (and all builders and engineers I can't remember right now) to help me take the right decision.

Thanks all and God bless.

ceelog:
Please builders, engineers and clients permit me to ask these questions for a robust discussion. It concerns "Chaining or not Chaining the upper floor lintel".

I am sure comments have been made on this topic previously but permit me to be specific in my request for knowledge.

1. If I decide NOT to "chain or tie" all lintel beams but only place the lintels on door/windows (but will still do a roof beam), is that against building codes or industry best practices?

2. I know Skimanski, one of the best in the business adopts a "no lintel window" but uses the roof beam as "lintel" which produces very tall windows which I admire. I am a bit swayed to choose that style of his as I think the cost saved not "chaining a lintel round the build" can be effectively put into making and fortifying tall windows. I sometimes perceive such windows might be more vulnerable (even with burglaries) to theft and that uninterrupted blocks of 12coaches might be weaker. But is it allowed by building codes?

I call on @aventures @abdulwastecx @spyder880 @Kolashangone @Skimanski @darenyx @diodarves @daboomb (and all builders and engineers I can't remember right now) to help me take the right decision.

Thanks all and God bless.

I don't think not doing chain lintel is against best practice.
Lintel is an horizontal struct. member over an opening, not blocks.
But people do it because they have the resources, basically to prevent cracks from running from the top of the build to bottom because of the position of the lintel(mid-way kind of), probably because of the nature of blocks. If u intend doing roof beam, u can skip chain lintel & do short lintel above openings. Most people who do chain lintel don't even do roof beam. Roof beam will also serve the purpose of chaining the building together.

You can't run all your windows to roof beam for a typical residential build, what about toilet windows? Do short lintels & roof beam, your building will be fine.

ceelog:
Please builders, engineers and clients permit me to ask these questions for a robust discussion. It concerns "Chaining or not Chaining the upper floor lintel".

I am sure comments have been made on this topic previously but permit me to be specific in my request for knowledge.

1. If I decide NOT to "chain or tie" all lintel beams but only place the lintels on door/windows (but will still do a roof beam), is that against building codes or industry best practices?

2. I know Skimanski, one of the best in the business adopts a "no lintel window" but uses the roof beam as "lintel" which produces very tall windows which I admire. I am a bit swayed to choose that style of his as I think the cost saved not "chaining a lintel round the build" can be effectively put into making and fortifying tall windows. I sometimes perceive such windows might be more vulnerable (even with burglaries) to theft and that uninterrupted blocks of 12coaches might be weaker. But is it allowed by building codes?

I call on @aventures @abdulwastecx @spyder880 @Kolashangone @Skimanski @darenyx @diodarves @daboomb (and all builders and engineers I can't remember right now) to help me take the right decision.

Thanks all and God bless.

The decision of what to do about the lintels, or any process in the building is usually planned from the beginning. How and where to place lintels and the size and make up of the lintels should be planned and written down.

Answering your question might require a background of what the ground is like, plus expected future environmental issues, so we can balance the integrity of the building to architectural aesthetics. Some ground could be weaker than others, there might be loads planned for the top floor like water tanks, penthouse or hanging gardens, they all should be considered before making a decision of whether to add or remove chain beams on the upper floors.

/
Lintels are made to cover space (doors, windows, openings) to be able to bear load on top. Anything else is just fantasy and waste of resources.
Some builders do all round concrete works at lintel level, then add two levels of blocks and do the decking. Seriously? That design does not add anything to the structural integrity of the building. Buildings built the old way still stands 60 years after. So what changed? Overkill indeed.

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