Friday, January 28, 2011

Query again on square feet cost

QUOTE

Hello Sir,

I came across you blog http://kerala-architects.blogspot.com/ while searching in the net for the current labor contract rates in Thiruvananthapuram. We are planning on renovating our home. The plan was prepared by a qualified engineer but due to some personal issues on the engineer's part he could not take the work. So we decided on giving the project to another person based on labor contract. The square foot rate he has given us seems a bit unreasonable. The property is in Vellayambalam Thiruvananthapuram and the rate given to us is Rs. 300 per square foot. When I enquired around I came to know that this is indeed really unreasonable. Could you please give me a fair idea about the current labor rates per square foot in Thiruvananthapuram? Hope to get a reply soon.

Thanks and Regards,

Lavanya,

My reply

People are obsessed with square feet rate! Even for remodeling and renovation work ,square feet rate contractor comes!

First of all you have to understand that every non professional contractor who take up work on square feet rate for labour contract tries to do the work with as little labour content as possible.Even when there is a qualified experienced Engineer to supervise the work he will try to save labour cost even at the cost of quality of work.When there is no professional involved contractor will try to teach you that the way he does the work is the best method and procedure.

Best option especially for a remodeling renovation work is to fix unit rates for each item of work to be done in consultation with an expert.

In your case I can visit Trivandrum site, study work involved and suggest on work to be done, check Vasthu compliance and fix up labour rates for each item if the contractor is willing to co operate.If contractor is not a reasonable person,he will not do anything even if I tell him that his square feet rate is high

Friday, January 21, 2011

Queries on remodeling of house and water storage

Quote

Dear Mr Thomas ... i am keen on remodeling my old house at Manjeri in Malappuram dist. , have a limited budget and seek your advice ...
prakash

My reply

A site visit by an Architect is essential for remodeling/extension of your existing house.

He has to take measurements,prepare drawings of existing structure,discuss with you in detail about your needs and then give you a modified structure plan to be discussed/revised and finalised.

Modifying existing structure will require shifting the people staying there during work and it will not be that easy to calculate expected cost as lot of unexpected problems and expenses may crop up during modification work.Professional guidance can save you lot of money and  give you proper directions to get maximum utilisation of money spent.

Quote

I WISH TO HAVE  A GUIDANCE  FROM YOU FOR  MY  WATER SUMP AND TANK

I GOT WATER CONNECTION FROM  WATER AUTHORITY OF FOR MY HOUSE AT KUMBALANGY   KOCHIN AND  NEED YOUR  GUIDANCE

I WISH TO KNOW WHICH TYPE  SUMP OR UNDERGROUND TANK IS   SUITABLE  FOR  MY HOUSE

SHOULD  I  BUILD  A  SUMP WITH  BRICKS AND CEMENT OR  READY MADE  PLASTIC  SUMP IS  TO  BE  BOUGHT ALSO  I HAVE NO IDEA  FROM  WHERE TO GET MATERIALS FOR   PIPE CONNECTION AND   SUMP AND  OVERHEAD TANK

YOUR  SUPPORT AND  GUIDANCE  WILL  BE OF MUCH HELP TO ME.

My reply

It is better to go for Ferro cement underground water storage tanks.It will be less costly safe and will last longer without problems.Even for over head tank it is better to use Ferro cement tanks.But it may not be that easy to get people for supplying and erecting such overhead tanks.
Constructing septic tank or underground storage water tanks  with brick will be costly and it is likely to get damaged within a few years.For over head tank you may have to go for double layer plastic water storage tanks..Over head tank should preferably be kept at a height of about five feet to get better force of water in shower and also to facilitate provision of solar water heater
If you have an Architect/Construction Engineer, he can guide you on all these.