A house does not exist by itself: it sits in a compound and is connected to the outside world. Many people in assessing what it would cost to build their house concentrate only on the physical building itself but there’s a lot that is to be done outside the house. This is what the Quantity Surveyors call “external works”. Depending on the concept and architectural design of the building, in general terms, it includes the following: Fence work, Landscaping, Driveway/Parking Lot, External Plumbing/Electrical Works, Swimming Pool, Borehole, Soak away, Generator and Gate House. While one can choose to do away with luxuries like swimming pool, can u leave your house without a fence? The waste in your internal plumbing has to be sent out of the house without a fence, via pipes (which empty first at manholes) into the soak away.So when you are planning the cost of your building, do not flip over the External works page. The costing will also depend on the architectural design of the building, the standard and quality of material the owner wants to use. But assuming the estimated cost of the building is N20m; one can make extra provision of 35% of the total sum (N7m) to take care of the external works.Location also matters in places where there is flooding. This means that the compound will have to be filled well above the ground level. Also because of the terrain, all structures on the land from fence to gate house have to be put on a raft foundation making this a very expensive proposition.Therefore, consult Gerry Ikputu and Partners for more advice and information to determine if a proposed or given project or investment is achievable under a specified situation and time within a given location before embarking on any development project in order to avoid some disastrous effects involved in aftermath of building a house. We can help you create a systematic approach and methods of Site Selection, Supply and Demand Analysis, Funding Techniques, Cost Evaluation, Tax Forecasting, Project Planning and Design as well as Future Investment Portfolio Management. The effects of such attributes like Risks, Return, Liquidity, Manageability and Taxability should be articulated and analyzed when we are consulted.
Thanks.
Anene Angela
Estate Surveyor and Valuer.
Gerry Ikputu and Partners
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