Building a house in Trinidad

[York]

York ,You are correct but I was only trying to help those who cannot afford a contractor ,so I was giving an idea of the cost price.
What you saying there about some contractors is true. They always ask for downpayment and then run off never to be heard from again. one of them did a large development for the government(plumbing) and when they checked after, there was only pipe sticking out of the ground and nothing was connected below. I think it cost them $90 million or something so.

OK, so maybe the 8" steel reinforced concrete block wall could be $200k - $250k depending...think why would this guy want the wall to be steel reinforced and concrete filled. Sometimes ppl ask but you have to look at fitness for purpose and give them what they need which may be more or less than what they are specifying.

In this case, it may be a retaining wall that would require piling 15-20ft and the wall a few feet below ground level with a beam there, one at ground level and another at the top to cap off. This would add 30-40% of the cost of just the above ground part of the wall or more depending on how deep underground.

Fitness for purpose...an alternative might be those medium or high security panels that are being sold and installed with the posts, etc. This might cost well under or close to $100k compared to $200 - $250k!

I have heard that in one of those Caroni developments a couple yrs back, the specs from the engineering consultant called for the electrical and water piping to be run in the same underground conduit. The contractor did that and they had to come back and redo everything costing millions.

[Biggs3ne]

Anyone knows what happened to Bilda Boys Construction who used to be on the forums?

[York]

Think they are MD Marketers now?

[triniwildmeat]

Hi tuners...can any give me an idea of how much it would cost to build a concrete wall 6 feet high around one lot of land? Thanks.

[iarmd1]

Good evening guys looking for someone to remove a wall the is 31ft on one side and 17ft on the other. Its four block height from the ground 4 posts. I want to remove it and put back a wall on the same spot 7 columns in total i want and same 4 block height from ground and auger about 8ft for each column. I want to use the catalina blocks. One guy told me 25K labour and i think thats too much am i wrong?

[iarmd1]

?

[York]

solicit some other quotes. May be $15-20k depending on how the job is done and what level of responsibility you are asking of the builder. may be best to use a backhoe to dig out the existing columns and beam. piling can be done the same day and ground beam can be done as well or the following day. it all depends on the builder and how efficiently he uses his labour. depends on how you want the 7 posts as well..size 10", 12" cast or larger made with concrete blocks.

[iarmd1]

Ok cool posts I was looking at 14x14

[aidan]

Hi guys,

Looking for ideas on the best use of 1lot (5000sq ft (50ftx100ft where the 50ft is the width and road frontage)) to maximize space. I'm getting a great deal on a lot in an area I was looking in for a while. I really wanted more space, but this is too good to pass up.

What would you all suggest for making the most efficient use of this area for a single family home. I plan on living there for 5 yrs then moving on, and maybe renting the house.

[York]

Hi guys,

Looking for ideas on the best use of 1lot (5000sq ft (50ftx100ft where the 50ft is the width and road frontage)) to maximize space. I'm getting a great deal on a lot in an area I was looking in for a while. I really wanted more space, but this is too good to pass up.

What would you all suggest for making the most efficient use of this area for a single family home. I plan on living there for 5 yrs then moving on, and maybe renting the house.

it depends on :
1. whether you building cash or not,
2. whether you need to get completion certificate or not,
3. whether you adhering to building codes or not (closeness to legal building lines and structural codes like steel reinforcement of corners and joints aka short cuts)
4. whether you want to build in a manner to expand in the future, like to get more apartments
5. and lastly, your budget $$$!

[aidan]

Hi guys,

Looking for ideas on the best use of 1lot (5000sq ft (50ftx100ft where the 50ft is the width and road frontage)) to maximize space. I'm getting a great deal on a lot in an area I was looking in for a while. I really wanted more space, but this is too good to pass up.

What would you all suggest for making the most efficient use of this area for a single family home. I plan on living there for 5 yrs then moving on, and maybe renting the house.

it depends on :
1. whether you building cash or not,
2. whether you need to get completion certificate or not,
3. whether you adhering to building codes or not (closeness to legal building lines and structural codes like steel reinforcement of corners and joints aka short cuts)
4. whether you want to build in a manner to expand in the future, like to get more apartments
5. and lastly, your budget $$$!

Thanks for the helpful criteria there York!

In response to that:

1. whether you building cash or not- cash
2. whether you need to get completion certificate or not, - not necessary
3. whether you adhering to building codes or not (closeness to legal building lines and structural codes like steel reinforcement of corners and joints aka short cuts)- would prefer to adhere to building codes
4. whether you want to build in a manner to expand in the future, like to get more apartments- you nailed it, this was basically what I was trying to get at
5. and lastly, your budget $$$!- initially trying to keep it under 1.5m

I received a suggestion of building 2 townhouses, and selling one to recover some building costs while living in the other, until I'm ready to move on and rent that unit. I'm not sure how technical the legal aspect of that is though.

[York]

You may have a problem because you may not get approval for 2 townhouses and most ppl will need that to get loan / mortgage. So only a cash buyer would buy and that may be difficult to find.

[rspann]

Build 8 apts ,live in one. The income could pay any mortgage, save to build a house after.

[kjaglal76v2]

beautiful

[The Raven]

Rspnn, what is the size and pound of your metal post?
Thanks.

[The Raven]

Rspnn, what is the size and pound of your metal post?
Thanks.

[Kronik]

Build 8 apts ,live in one. The income could pay any mortgage, save to build a house after.

Hi guys,

Looking for ideas on the best use of 1lot (5000sq ft (50ftx100ft where the 50ft is the width and road frontage)) to maximize space. I'm getting a great deal on a lot in an area I was looking in for a while. I really wanted more space, but this is too good to pass up.

What would you all suggest for making the most efficient use of this area for a single family home. I plan on living there for 5 yrs then moving on, and maybe renting the house.

it depends on :
1. whether you building cash or not,
2. whether you need to get completion certificate or not,
3. whether you adhering to building codes or not (closeness to legal building lines and structural codes like steel reinforcement of corners and joints aka short cuts)
4. whether you want to build in a manner to expand in the future, like to get more apartments
5. and lastly, your budget $$$!

Thanks for the helpful criteria there York!

In response to that:

1. whether you building cash or not- cash
2. whether you need to get completion certificate or not, - not necessary
3. whether you adhering to building codes or not (closeness to legal building lines and structural codes like steel reinforcement of corners and joints aka short cuts)- would prefer to adhere to building codes
4. whether you want to build in a manner to expand in the future, like to get more apartments- you nailed it, this was basically what I was trying to get at
5. and lastly, your budget $$$!- initially trying to keep it under 1.5m

I received a suggestion of building 2 townhouses, and selling one to recover some building costs while living in the other, until I'm ready to move on and rent that unit. I'm not sure how technical the legal aspect of that is though.

This is exactly what I would like to do.

Rspann, what was the cost for something like that? And approximately how big is 1 apartment? I assuming it have the minimum t&c reserve on the front, back and sides

Sent from my SM900 Note 3

[kjaglal76v2]

why ppl care so much abt t&c??

[rspann]

Kjag,If you borrowing ,you have to have all the requirements in place. If you going cash ,you don't have to worry too much. Kronik, they are two bedroom apts with one toilet and bath and a wash area, there is enough space for parking too ,but generally I get some tenants without cars so it is not too much a hassle. The back and one side is 5' and the side shown is 15' the front has 15'. The building is 85' x 30' The lot is 105x 50' .If you try to get this approved ,you will not.. York ,that roof is one the guy just did for $15 g.

[The Raven]

RSpann, donot forget my question,
What side is the post 8x8 by what pound?

[The Raven]

Size^

[zoom rader]

Good move rspann, I did the same where I converted a house into four apartments. So I juss collect a lil beer money and the rest banking.

[rspann]

RSpann, donot forget my question,
What side is the post 8x8 by what pound?

8"x8 " ,31 lbs (W 8 x31)

[The Raven]

That's the same specs as mine. Thought mines was under sized.

[York]

Kjag,If you borrowing ,you have to have all the requirements in place. If you going cash ,you don't have to worry too much. Kronik, they are two bedroom apts with one toilet and bath and a wash area, there is enough space for parking too ,but generally I get some tenants without cars so it is not too much a hassle. The back and one side is 5' and the side shown is 15' the front has 15'. The building is 85' x 30' The lot is 105x 50' .If you try to get this approved ,you will not.. York ,that roof is one the guy just did for $15 g.

what's your total cost for these 8 apts? out fitted with hot/cold and A/C?

T&C approval makes any property saleable so buyer can get a loan to take it off your hand...in case u decide to sell and move on.

[rspann]

I for one not selling so I don't worry about T&C .Cash in the bank attracting a pittance in interest, Fixed deposit on $3m probably works out at a couple thousand per month( most of them is 1% to 3% max) .Rent could be in the $24 to $28 g range ,why sell? I use a water heater in each bath, so the bill is for the tenant and not on my utility meter. A/c power outlets are there ,but I install on demand or let the tenant install. Some of them might not be able to afford the elec. bill.

[The Raven]

Rspann,
Did you used foundation blocks for the first floor?

[York]

So the total cost, building and land is $3M?

[The Raven]

Could you guys give some tips on electrical wiring.
Planning to wire the second floor. What should I cater for? What tips do you all have?
Thanks.

[rspann]

No, Hollow clay, but all corners and all the way up the posts have 1/4 " rods welded in to tie the blocks to the posts,and all corners cast right up to top floor and a beam at lintel/ door height, from post to post. I did other buildings with Concrete blocks though.