Queries and reply

After Feb 22,I could not post earlier due to work load and a bit of laziness.But I have replied to almost every one directly.Here are the queries and replies

SEPTIC TANK

QUOTE

Dear Sir,
 
I am asking this query for my under construction New House,
 
Is it better  to install Custom Made (Cement Ring Type) Septic Tank or I should go for Ready Made Septic Tank (Fiber Type, Branded which are available in the market).
 
What is your opinion ?
 
I would appreciate if you could send me a reply by email.
 
Regards,
Shaji Rawother
Saudi Arabia

My Reply

Just digging and putting concrete rings do not make a septic tank.It can be called as a waste pit and it will not do the work of a septic tank.So you go for either fiber type or Ferro cement septic tanks.

REMODELLING EXISTING HOUSE

QUOTE

Hi
 
I have a 3 bedroom house in Keerthi nagar, deshabhimani road, Cochin in 7.5 cents which was re modified around 4 years back. However I am not happy with the result. Also there are some fresh requirements as below.
 
Scope of the work : I would like to add 1 more bedroom to the existing house, re- do the interiors  and build a attractive unique boutique outlet on the 1st floor with separate entrance.
 
please revert in case you are interested in taking up this Project at a cost effective rate.
 
More details can be provided thereafter

Thanks and regards
 
Jiju Mathew
Doha, Qatar

My reply

House to be remodeled will have to be visited by me first,take measurements,discuss with you on your needs and then I can give you suggestions and a plan of the remodeled house to start working on

NADUMUTTOM HOUSE

QUOTE

Hi Thomas,
I liked your house http://kerala-houseconstruction-sunny.blogspot.com/

I'm working in US and interested to construct similar house at
Kottayam. How much does it cost? Do you have the pictures of
Nadumuttom and surroundings. Please let me know.Regards
Jijo

My reply

Cost of a house depends on location,land conditions,design of the house,features of the house etc. .These and many factors contribute to cost and in Kerala conditions it goes up very fast.You have not even started on design of the house and even if you start construction activities now  house may get completed after about 18 months.By that time technology and trends in addition to input costs will change and hence a professional like me cannot give you a cost figure without any data.
I can design and build your house meeting your requirements and hopes
QUOTE

Hi

Thanks for the response.. I understand that the price vary during
construction. I would like to know how much is the approximate rate as
of today.. I can consider 20% variation on that cost due to inflation
or cost variation.

The reason is i don't want to take a loan to construct it. I don't want
to think unless i know I'm financially good to start constructing it.
So i would appreciate if you can tell me like to how much it required
to construct the property at
http://kerala-houseconstruction-sunny.blogspot.com/ with todays
price..

regards
Jijo

My reply

In the case of house construction you should never wait for construction till you are ready with entire funds.Both land purchase and house construction should be attempted at the earliest possible.Taking loan with interest rate of nearly 8% is better than wait and pay more than 100% in cost escalation.If you go on waiting for land purchase and house construction till you  have sufficient funds,you will never be able to purchase land or construct house.

CHANGE IN BUILDING RULES FOR PANCHAYATH AREA

QUOTE

Panchayat Permit not needed for residential house construction

http://www.townplanning.kerala.gov.in/Pages/pdf/go44_2011.htm

10. Permit not necessary for certain works.- Notwithstanding anything contained in
these rules no building permit shall be necessary for executing the following works which do
not otherwise violate any provisions regarding applicable general building requirements,
structural stability and fire safety requirements of the rules, namely:-

Buildings in Category –II Village Panchayats under Group A1-Residential
occupancy with total built-up area on all floors up to 300 sq.meters (including existing and
proposed within the plot) and number of story's limited to two and all single family
residential buildings.

Buildings in Category –II Village Panchayats under Group A2 and F
occupancies, poultry farms, livestock farms, traditional coir works, handloom units, cashew
processing units, lime kilns, carpentry and smithy units; all of which with total built-up area
on all floors up to 150 sq.meters (including existing and proposed within the plot) and
number of story's limited to two, except those for religious purpose and /or worship.

CONCRETE MIX RATIO AND STEEL REINFORCEMENT

QUOTE

Dear Sir,

I am planning to build a house and I am making an initial estimation
for budgeting in order to make a budgeting idea.

For this, could you advise me on the following ?

1. Concrete Mix Ratio (cement:sand:metal:water) for lintel, sunshade
and first floor slab (I am planning a two-storey villa)
2.Reinforced steel bar dia and approx. qty (in Kg) of steel bar for
one M3 of lintel
3.Reinforced steel bar dia and approx. qty (in Kg) of steel bar for
one M3 of beam (9x12")

Your early reply will be highly appreciated

Haris
Abu Dhabi

My reply

For house construction you need services of an Architect and Structural consultant not only at the beginning to prepare plan of the house.You need continuous drawings,design details ,instructions of professional experts till completion of the house.Without professional involvement and guidance,contractor will do construction in a manner which will give him maximum profit.He will be bothered only about  structure remaining in good condition till he leave the construction site(In some cases that also do not happen)He will misguide you on quality and Engineering standards for his benefit.

Concrete mix ratios and steel reinforcement details can be given only after studying your case details properly.Just like a contractor I cannot give vague ,incorrect answers.

RUNNING IN TO PROBLEMS AFTER STARTING CONSTRUCTION

QUOTE

Respected Sir,

I am NRI.Name Sebastian Fernandez settled in Oman with my family . In India I am settled in cochin and now I am building a new house in Thoppumpady.
Started the work on 16th Jan 2011 .Till now the foundation work has not finished we have only the labour works in contract , we buy the material.In this mail I am sending the house plan  its about 2500 sq.feet and the land is just 5.45 cents we saw in net all your work and we liked  one picture from  photo gallery-gothic style house,till now we have not confirmed the front elevation so we want your help to draw a good front elevation for our house and guidance, supervision ,interior design now my uncle Aloysius is supervising the work but he need some guide like u . 

So I kindly request you to sent me the reply in this mail id for this mail.

regards

Sebastian Fernandez

My reply

House Construction require professional guidance right from beginning to end.Only after visiting site I can comment on your construction so far done.You cannot have any type of Elevation for any house.Elevation is dependent on plan of the house.If you need impressive Elevation,plan will have to be prepared with that intension by the Architect.

PLAN TAKEN FROM A WEBSITE
QUOTE

Dear Thomas
 
We are planning to construct a house in Vallarpadam, its a 9-10 cents plot. We would like to build a low cost 2 storied house with 3 bedrooms. attached is a plan I found in another website. Could you please look into it and let me know your costs (per sq. feet) etc.??
 
Look forward to hearing from you.
 
Regards
Lucy

MY reply

Plan taken from any website may not suit your plot,requirements,Kerala Building rules and Vasthu.To avoid paying an Architect for the plan,if you simply take plan from a website it will make you loose more money.You have to take professional guidance from beginning to end.Your Architect can plan your house in a manner to save your money.