Building a house in Trinidad

[rspann]

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

.
No, that's the value at completion. If I had to sell. Cost is less than half of that.

[rspann]

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.

Cut the walls with a machine, some guys like to break with a hammer,takes a toll on your block work. Use larger pipes(3/4 and 1" )throughout less problems when pulling wires. Get an electrician who is familiar with T&TEC codes. If you have a plan ,you safe ,if not, visualise how you are laying out your house (furniture ,appliances etc ,so when you are done you have provision for every thing. You should be safe there.

[York]

Not everyone has $3M sitting in the bank. It would take 10 yrs of rent to just pay back, then to realize a profit. And we eh talk bout mtce yet. And risk as I am almost sure that he eh take out insurance. I dislike insurance but it's what's done to secure investment and manage risk.

[rspann]

Like I said less than half of that $3 .Maintenance is almost zero, those going for $3500 Work out the income at $24g monthly in less than 6 years you good to go. The extra four thousand a month I left out is for insurance and any maintenance or any unforeseen problems. Every single building I have is properly insured by Beacon Insurance or Guardian General,It is the only means of properly securing your investment,why do you assume I don't have insurance? Anybody here who knows me knows that I am an authorised repairer for Most of the major Insurance companies, I even get discounts on my premiums.

[redman24]

hey York, rspann... i need some advice I bought a residential property in 2009, which had a workshop to the back which was built spanning the full 50ft width and coming forward 16ft from the back boundary wall, the workshop was like a hollowed concrete building with just burglar proofing grills and steel entry doors on either end of the property. I had no problems when I purchased it was labelled "workshop" on the first Valuation .... but after purchase I divided the workshop into three an converted into three self contained rental studios to help earn some extra income and help out with mortgage payments.

i tried to do a refinance with the bank recently but I was denied as a valuation deemed the property as illegal due to the rooms (annex) being built on the boundaries, however when I queried , the valuator indicated that I can do a plan and apply to T&C to have the rooms (annex) approved after 7 years from construction date due to a "statute barred" provision in the law regarding properties... is this true and also would it make sense keeping the property seeing that I can't get any financing, can't sell at proper value as I have to get a cash buyer etc. what should I do

[rspann]

Even a workshop might have been labelled illegal because of the dimensions,and yes it is statute barred (four years). You can send in a plan and apply for retention but I doubt they would approve based on the dimensions. There are a lot of cash buyers around ,and lots of cash. Put it up for sale and see what response you get. My bro in law works T&C I'll ask his advice.

[redman24]

ok, will greatly appreciate a feedback thanks

[rspann]

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

This was done with concrete blocks.

[The Raven]

Thanks for the reply, rspann.
I donot have a plan for the electrical. Will look into the machine to cut walls. Where can I get one?
Thanks.

[rspann]

4" angle grinder with masonry blade or tile blade.

[pugboy]

what is "Statue barred" ?

[York]

Thanks for the reply, rspann.
I donot have a plan for the electrical. Will look into the machine to cut walls. Where can I get one?
Thanks.

You doing it yourself? All electricians use this tool lol. You need a licensed wireman (electrician) or one who uses a licensed wireman. This is real tricky business...a kinda mafia, it have some sketchy ones out there, so be careful.

[pugboy]

^^sure right

the TTEC inspectorate is quite possibly THE most corrupt organization in the country
they operate totally under the radar and any licensed electrician better have a link inside
or he will not make a living.
They answer to nobody and can issue instructions to TTEC to connect back somebody
who was cut for whatever reason.

[The Raven]

I have no one yet.
But would like to do the right stuff, I got the booklet from t&tec so would use it to guide me.

[rspann]

statute barred means that you cannot be prosecuted after that period passes

[York]

Too much damn red tape here making it too easy to break law and get away with it.

[rspann]

Redman24,he said you cannot get the plan passed to approve illegal structures retroactively. The only thing is that they cannot demolish since it's passed the time .

[redman24]

Redman24,he said you cannot get the plan passed to approve illegal structures retroactively. The only thing is that they cannot demolish since it's passed the time .

OK, thanks for the feedback, appreciated hope you got my PM, Internet service giving some trouble

[York]

Check another valuator, maybe Raymond and Pierre. They supposed to value the property but leave out the workshop or parts that are not to building code. Like sheds and car ports that are usually built up to boundary. Illegal but common. They cant deal with ppl building outside property line and squatters, so they will not touch what ppl build on private owned land. Well, maybe except if there is a dispute that goes to court and they are forced to act.

[redman24]

ok will enquire, thanks

[hong kong phooey]

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.

Cut the walls with a machine, some guys like to break with a hammer,takes a toll on your block work. Use larger pipes(3/4 and 1" )throughout less problems when pulling wires. Get an electrician who is familiar with T&TEC codes. If you have a plan ,you safe ,if not, visualise how you are laying out your house (furniture ,appliances etc ,so when you are done you have provision for every thing. You should be safe there.

Good info
Use Larger size trunking/pipes, Don't use any 90 degrees fittings unless if it accessable.
Think of the future , even if you not planning to air condition spaces run at least the trunking and leave a wire(cheap cutlash wire ) in it so you can fish wires in it at a later date. Lot cheaper in the long run.
Same for dryer and washing machine.
Cable and telephone/network wires. think about this for bedrooms it know nearly everything is wireless but just a suggestion. this way you dont have wires showing on your walls.
Same goes for music system surround sound wires.
Know where your appliances going and high current drawing equipment like a toaster oven/ small convection oven and a microwave oven will not be in the same breaker.
With this in mind i would recommend putting switches on certain plugs like your fridge and stove in convenient places so in case you need to turn off your fridge you can just turn off the switch instead of moving the entire fridge to unplug it .

if you planning on renting out your downstairs in the future, then your upstairs should be your main supply panel unless u plan on having 2 meters.

[pugboy]

anybody ever had to deal with t&c issues like complaints of walls too close to neighbour boundary wall etc ?

[The Raven]

Hong Kong,
Thanks for the great advise.

[33 hertz]

Looking for bamboo props. Anyone have a contact?

[York]

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.

Cut the walls with a machine, some guys like to break with a hammer,takes a toll on your block work. Use larger pipes(3/4 and 1" )throughout less problems when pulling wires. Get an electrician who is familiar with T&TEC codes. If you have a plan ,you safe ,if not, visualise how you are laying out your house (furniture ,appliances etc ,so when you are done you have provision for every thing. You should be safe there.

Good info
Use Larger size trunking/pipes, Don't use any 90 degrees fittings unless if it accessable.
Think of the future , even if you not planning to air condition spaces run at least the trunking and leave a wire(cheap cutlash wire ) in it so you can fish wires in it at a later date. Lot cheaper in the long run.
Same for dryer and washing machine.
Cable and telephone/network wires. think about this for bedrooms it know nearly everything is wireless but just a suggestion. this way you dont have wires showing on your walls.
Same goes for music system surround sound wires.
Know where your appliances going and high current drawing equipment like a toaster oven/ small convection oven and a microwave oven will not be in the same breaker.
With this in mind i would recommend putting switches on certain plugs like your fridge and stove in convenient places so in case you need to turn off your fridge you can just turn off the switch instead of moving the entire fridge to unplug it .

if you planning on renting out your downstairs in the future, then your upstairs should be your main supply panel unless u plan on having 2 meters.

extra switches for plugs add to the cost and are generally not necessary as isolation are few and far between. You can pull out your fridge and pull out the plug. Hell, i can reach to pull the plug without moving the fridge. Plus there are the breakers to isolate like the electric stove, water heater and dryer. Although i do put switches for the water heater and pump. Those are 30A lighted toggle.

A/C, the same 30A lighted toggle can be used or can put a small 50A or 100A sub panel on each side of the house outside, so A/C guys can run supply from there outside and you dont have to do the wiring inside in each room. Believe me it adds up, and there would be much less inspection points.

[rspann]

Looking for bamboo props. Anyone have a contact?

I have some that I took down two weeks ago, if you want them you can have them. If you want fresh ones call 716 6631,thats the guy who cut for me.

[redman24]

I would like to publicly thank "rspann" and "york" for their invaluable advice and help in not only edifying me towards making a decision in the midst of my peculiar property issue but also in allowing me to understand some technical issues, better than other "professionals" that I sought advice from and who couldn't help me. you guys are both an invaluable source of advice to us tuners so in need, your openness and unhesitant manner of sharing from your wealth of knowledge in general construction is awesome and on point.
thanks again for the help guys God bless and may he continue to keep and give you both the ability to continue helping others.

[pugboy]

yes, professionals only interested in taking your money

[redman24]

so damn true to many scamps with letters behind their name and no actual experience, the best people for the best advice on any issue is on tuner and it's free.

[York]

so damn true to many scamps with letters behind their name and no actual experience, the best people for the best advice on any issue is on tuner and it's free.

well i like taking ppl money too but for taking the headache from them. some ppl will go mad dealing with some of the tradesman characters and the management / coordination of their project.

My father was a builder for 40+yrs, he used to work from 7am till dark giving ppl more than a fair days work. People used to come home every morning to pick him and his crew for work and drop them back home because they knew what the good, honest deal they were getting. He really used to help out ppl.