BUILDING TIPS


The process of renovating and mainly building your house can be a very exciting adventure, but it can also turn out to become a nightmare. It is therefore very important to employ the services of professionals such as architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and building consultants, in order to make your project a success and avoid many unexpected and unpleasant surprises. In most cases, these professionals will pay for themselves whether directly or indirectly, and you will surely be the one who will benefit. The job of a building consultant is mainly to manage and supervise your project from the design stage all the way to the final completion and handing over.

Below are some useful tips and guidelines to help you in the different stages of your project:-



1.0 Sub-structure
1.1
You should apply and obtain your development and building permits prior to starting any work.
1.2
Make sure that your plot corresponds to the site plan, and that your boundary pegs are clearly visible. If you are not sure, refer to a land surveyor who will do a survey and re-instate all corner pegs
1.3
Check that your builder has respected the distances and necessary reserves as indicated on your site plan, subject to item 1.2 above being cleared.
1.4
Ensure that your engineer inspects the foundations before casting.
1.5
You are strongly advised to apply an anti-termite treatment prior to casting your surface bed floor – this is normally sub-contracted to specialised firms.

2.0 Super-structure
2.1
A good practice is to lay one row of blocks on the floor before walls are raised. This would allow you to cross-check all internal dimensions, and set out the position of the doors. Any potential changes could be made at this stage, without having to knock down walls.
2.2
The life of your structure depends mainly on two factors:-
2.2.1 The quality of your concrete.
2.2.2 The “cover” around your steel reinforcement.

The amount of cover is specified by the engineer but unfortunately very often neglected by contractors. As a result with time, the steel reinforcement will rust and therefore affect the strength and stability of your structure. To avoid this problem, you should check that the spacer blocks, more commonly known as “gateau coco”, are used efficiently with the shuttering.
2.3
Your engineer must inspect the floor / roof reinforcement before casting.
2.4
All concrete should be well vibrated, particularly your slabs.
2.5
It is advisable to protect your roof slabs with finishes such as roof sheets or tiles etc, or simply with special roofing paints. The main objective is to reduce the amount of heat on the slab, and thus to limit the potential cracks. The other reason is to protect your slab from water – a concrete slab is NOT waterproof.

3.0 Finishes
3.1
The finishes in any construction often takes much longer than the structural work.
Plan your finishes and establish a logical sequence for the works – It is very useful to call the different sub-contractors to discuss and agree on the sequence of the works, and their inter action between each other.
3.2
Make sure that each sub-contractor takes responsibility not only for his work but also for associated works being done by others – Each sub-contractor should take care in protecting surrounding works and already installed fittings and finishes.
3.3

When you reach the final stages, try to complete your house room by room, from one end to the other – once a room is completely finished, close the door, lock it up and move to the next one.

3.4 Your plumber and electrician should test and commission their installation before the final handing over, and issue a test certificate to you.

 

Thierry d’Arifat
Building Consultant
(N.Dip: Building Mngt, S.A)

TDA Consult Ltd.
20 Cap Dal, Tamarin
Tel: 483 5974 - Fax: 483 6111
E-mail: tdaconsult@intnet.mu






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