Wednesday, July 27, 2011

My replies to your queries

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Query

Hello Mr Thomas

My name is Melvin Mathew and I am a resident of Thiruvalla and currently staying currently outside India.

I saw your blog and I feel you are the right person who could help me with some ideas on modification of the outdoor of my house.

I have a big fish tank that was built in front of my house about 6.5 deep and the length is about 9 m and width of 4m. I had different variety of fish there, but nowadays I don't find time to maintain there and don't find people who can help for that as well and so maintaining it has become difficult for me and no more scope of an aquarium there. I don't stay there regularly so I wanted to do some changes with it or modify it so that it can add to the beauty of the house and could be of some use so that I don't just need to close it. I have some grapes growing just above it, hanging on an curved iron rod structure, so closing it will would mean losing the grapes which I don't want to..

Could you please help me with some good ideas, and if possible I can call you as well or we can meet when I come to Kerala. Thanks in advance for your reply.

Warm Regards

Melvin Mathew

Bradford University School of Management, MBA 2011

My reply

I can give you suggestions on better landscape design for your house outdoor only after a site visit.Are you interested?

CRZ restrictions for river side house

Query

Hi Mr. Thomas,

Found your website very useful/informative.

I am a UK resident, primarily from Palakkad.

I had brought a property – 23 cents behind UC College – right at the bank of Periyar – the property can be seen from the Mangalapuzha bridge.

The property was divided from a bigger property of 50 cents and the person who sold me has a big house constructed in his plot a few years back.My property has a 20 min frontage and has a depth of 35 meters.

I now want to sell this off due to other commitments. Recently, I heard that there are some rules which prohibit construction at riverside.

Is this true ?  Appreciate if you could spare some valuable time and provide some guidance on the same ?

Vinod Kumar

My reply

CRZ act prohibits construction up to 50M from river side

It is possible to construct if you have an existing building line.(an existing building should come in same line of your building) or a road in between.But you will have to get prior permission from concerned local authority before commencement of construction

Renovation of Existing House

Query-1

Dear Sir,

My name is Siva Kumar. I reside in Chennai.I am planning to renovate the ground floor of my house and to construct first floor as well.

Just wanted your help for the designs and plans. Also, is it possible for you to visit the site? If yes, then please let me know the date and expenses.

Please find attached pictures of my existing house in Chennai.

Shiva

Query-2

Dear Thomas,

Seen your site which offers various services in home renovation.

Let me introduce my self as Saji Dominic working in Abu Dhabi.

We got an old house approx. 40 years old in mukkotuthara near Erumely. Its a normal house . Would like to know if are taking contracts for such jobs or will be able to provide a good design for the same.

Since the place is distant from Ernakulum, based on your convenience i will be able to share you few snaps of the house to be renovated.

Appreciate your response.

Saji Dominic

My reply

To start with, I will have to visit villa to be remodeled and study work involved for remodeling/extension.After the site visit, I will give a report on what exactly can be done on the existing structure to meet your expectations/needs

Based on this initial evaluation of work, using measurements collected from site and your old drawings related to the house if any, I will prepare what we call a Basic Plan for the modified house which will show positions and dimensions of rooms, doors and windows of the remodeled house only. This Basic Plan if required can be revised without any extra charges to meet your requirement fully, subject to our acceptance of your change requests

After this, we will go systematically in a professional manner by providing complete professional care and technical  guidance to reach your dream house.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Follow me on Facebook and twitter

Log onto our websites

www.viruvelil.com

www.keralaarchitecture.com

www.kerala-dreamhomes.com

Click on photo gallery to view few pictures of houses designed and built by us

You can have a look at few pictures of houses designed and built by us at Facebook page. You can even add me as a contact in Facebook so that you will get continuous updates on my blog entries and interactions with clients.

Here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=531348963&sk=photos

Follow me on twitter and keep in touch

http://twitter.com/#!/archtomy

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Answers to queries

NEW HOUSE CONSTRUCTION

Query

hi sir,

My name is prince  and I am working in air force.I would like to make an independent house of around 1000- 1500 sq. feet.my budget is 12 to 15 lac.I am planning to make this house next year beginning.please provide me the instructions.

prince

My reply

You have to tell me the following:

1.Where do you intend to construct house?

2.Square feet plinth area of the house will be known only after your Architect designs your house plan suited to your site conditions,your needs and possible budget.So tell me what all you need in the house and what all you hope to have in the house.

I am copying below our standard Introductory mail which will give you a fair idea on how to go about designing and building a house.

Query

Hi,

I have a plot at Cherai ( about 2 km from beach ). its about 28 cents. I plan to build a traditional Indian home there.
am currently studying in USA, but is at Vypeen ( cochin ), for about a couple of weeks. I wish to know how you will be able to help me.

I might not be open for visiting the plot, cause i wish to keep the plot and the neighbours from being disturbed. that could be done only when everything is fixed.

Yours Sincerely,
Arun Kannanganat

My reply

Ok.I do not have to visit plot.You can send me plot dimensions,position of roads nearby and directions.Also write to me in detail on what all you need in the house

Query

Dear Mr. Viruvelil,

I have a 06 cent corner plot in Kakkanad facing South with a bell mouth on south west and I would like to build a 2200 sq. ft. house with following features,

Car Porch on east south

Sit out

Kitchen 4*4.25m on south east behind car porch

4 bed rooms with attached toilets ( 4*4.25m) ( Toilet 2*1.5m)

a common toilet under Stairs

1 Hall ( 6*5m) south west

1 dining ( 5*5 m) North East

Balcony and Open terrace on South west

Please find attached sketch of plot, a rough plan drawn by me, preferred  pictures of house.

Is it sense to give contract to a local contractor..

Please help me to build beautiful simple house to meet my budget avoiding costly extra works.

Kind Regards

Biju Antony

My reply

I will look at drawings and details sent by you and will reply in detail later

If you want to build your house at Kakanad,why don't you think of giving us entire work from design to completion of house?

REMODELLING EXISTING HOUSE

Query

Dear  Thomas,

Happened to see you blog. Definitely you are giving very valuable information for people like us, who are planning to build houses. I have a 7.5 cent rectangular plot in Peyad, Trivandrum with a 30 year old tiled house. I would like to demolish that house to build a house of around 2000 sft. In order to make an estimate I prefer you to visit the plot during my next vacation ( after 1 month- at present I am in Dubai).

Please let me know your charges for the visit/consultation.

Regards

L.S.Pillai

My reply

I can visit your site study site conditions,take measurements and provide you a plan of the modified house to start working on your desire to remodel your existing house

From there ,I will guide you step by step to convert your existing house  to a better house with more facilities and modern look with all it's old glory retained

Kindly indicate your possible period of visit in advance for me to confirm date of my visit to your plot,as I cannot commit a date of visit on short notice

Monday, July 4, 2011

House Construction-Answers for your queries

PLINTH AREA CALCULATIONS

Query

Hi Thomas,
 
Just today only I came to know about you and It was my bad luck.  I already stated to build a house with 3500 sq. ft.  Kottekkad Trichur.  Normal house for a big family including myself and my family, my parents and my two brothers & their family.  Now plastering over.  As it was in a small village, I have given to a local contractor.
 
Please let me know will car porch, sit out and balcony be calculated as full built up area.  I do not have any idea about the sq. ft calculation.  Attaching my plan drawing.  Please help me to get correct sq.ft....please help.
 
Thanks & Regards,
 
Jeevan

My reply

You have reached only up to plastering.After this stage you require more assistance and guidance from a professional.

It will be good if I can visit your site

After completing structure and plastering work, you require continuous guidance from a qualified and well-experienced Architect

You need advice and guidance of a qualified and experienced person to know various options available to you, latest trends and ways and means to decrease cost while improving utility and appearance of the building.

Look at some of the pending works

1. Putty finish for walls and painting

2. Flooring and toilet wall/floor tile laying with latest trend designs/patterns

3. Plumbing and sanitary works

4. Electrical wiring and fittings

5. Interior woodwork like modular Kitchen, cupboards and Interior lay out design

6. Furniture work with woodcarving

8. Land scape design, arrangements and much more

We can undertake these after structure work anywhere in Kerala by providing professional guidance and expert workers

Each contractor has his on method of calculating plinth area of the house based on his understanding with the client.It is for him to say whether he considers car porch,Sit out and Balcony which have lesser cost input to be considered at par with other areas of house when costing based on plinth area has to be considered.If required we can visit site, take measurements and using computerised Auto CAD software tell you exact plinth area of the building

MODIFYING EXISTING BUILDING

Query

Hi Thomas,

This is Neethu Thomas from Bangalore.

I have spoken to you today.

Could you please let me know the details (Plans and Tariff) for re innovation of an existing house.

Thanks for your help and time.

Neethu Thomas

My reply

To start with, I will have to visit villa to be remodeled and study work involved for remodeling/extension

After the site visit, I will give a report on what exactly can be done on the existing structure to meet your expectations/needs

Based on this initial evaluation of work, using measurements collected from site and your old drawings related to the house if any, I will prepare what we call a Basic Plan for the modified house which will show positions and dimensions of rooms, doors and windows of the remodeled house only. This Basic Plan if required can be revised without any extra charges to meet your requirement fully, subject to our acceptance of your change requests

After this, we will go systematically in a professional manner by providing complete professional care and technical guidance to reach your dream house

HOW TO FIX CONTRACTOR PAYMENTS FOR HOUSE CONSTRUCTION

Query

how can i calculate cost of work to be paid to contractor?

My reply

First of all,you have to get a qualified/experienced Architect to guide you on design and construction of house.
He will guide you on how terms of contract can be fixed with your contractor

House Construction-Answers for your queries

PLINTH AREA CALCULATIONS

Query

Hi Thomas,
 
Just today only I came to know about you and It was my bad luck.  I already stated to build a house with 3500 sq. ft.  Kottekkad Trichur.  Normal house for a big family including myself and my family, my parents and my two brothers & their family.  Now plastering over.  As it was in a small village, I have given to a local contractor.
 
Please let me know will car porch, sit out and balcony be calculated as full built up area.  I do not have any idea about the sq. ft calculation.  Attaching my plan drawing.  Please help me to get correct sq.ft....please help.
 
Thanks & Regards,
 
Jeevan

My reply

You have reached only up to plastering.After this stage you require more assistance and guidance from a professional.

It will be good if I can visit your site

After completing structure and plastering work, you require continuous guidance from a qualified and well-experienced Architect

You need advice and guidance of a qualified and experienced person to know various options available to you, latest trends and ways and means to decrease cost while improving utility and appearance of the building.

Look at some of the pending works

1. Putty finish for walls and painting

2. Flooring and toilet wall/floor tile laying with latest trend designs/patterns

3. Plumbing and sanitary works

4. Electrical wiring and fittings

5. Interior woodwork like modular Kitchen, cupboards and Interior lay out design

6. Furniture work with woodcarving

8. Land scape design, arrangements and much more

We can undertake these after structure work anywhere in Kerala by providing professional guidance and expert workers

Each contractor has his on method of calculating plinth area of the house based on his understanding with the client.It is for him to say whether he considers car porch,Sit out and Balcony which have lesser cost input to be considered at par with other areas of house when costing based on plinth area has to be considered.If required we can visit site, take measurements and using computerised Auto CAD software tell you exact plinth area of the building

MODIFYING EXISTING BUILDING

Query

Hi Thomas,

This is Neethu Thomas from Bangalore.

I have spoken to you today.

Could you please let me know the details (Plans and Tariff) for re innovation of an existing house.

Thanks for your help and time.

Neethu Thomas

My reply

To start with, I will have to visit villa to be remodeled and study work involved for remodeling/extension

After the site visit, I will give a report on what exactly can be done on the existing structure to meet your expectations/needs

Based on this initial evaluation of work, using measurements collected from site and your old drawings related to the house if any, I will prepare what we call a Basic Plan for the modified house which will show positions and dimensions of rooms, doors and windows of the remodeled house only. This Basic Plan if required can be revised without any extra charges to meet your requirement fully, subject to our acceptance of your change requests

After this, we will go systematically in a professional manner by providing complete professional care and technical guidance to reach your dream house

HOW TO FIX CONTRACTOR PAYMENTS FOR HOUSE CONSTRUCTION

Query

how can i calculate cost of work to be paid to contractor?

My reply

First of all,you have to get a qualified/experienced Architect to guide you on design and construction of house.
He will guide you on how terms of contract can be fixed with your contractor