Monday, November 16, 2009

Why you need professional guidance for house construction

Even though almost everyone has a dream of building his own house preferably in his  own native place,mainly to show his local people about his newly acquired economic status,not many really make a study of how to go about for  constructing a house

When he makes initial enquiries in his native place usual reply he gets from any one and every one nearer to him is to approach a local builder usually called in Malayalam as mesthri.

“That mesthri has constructed many houses.He will do it well.Just be careful about money you pay him”

This is the usual reply.So just by approaching that mesthri who will supply men and tools and scaffoldings for construction,you can start construction.Then what about the plan?Answer is again simple-“You know what all rooms you want.Tell that draftsman about it.He will draw a plan and get papers ready for approval from Panchayath”

It is that simple.Where does Architects and Engineers come in this picture?Again usual reply is like this-“They are for bigger buildings  and not for ordinary houses”

This is how houses improperly designed and constructed come up every where without proper architecture or structural engineering.

Recently I went to meet a prospective client at Cherthala.They were having a plan of the house prepared by the local draftsman.I was sent by the daughter working away “for a second opinion” on the plan.The plan which I have seen has not considered any of the architectural and structural engineering aspects forget about proper utilisation of space,Vasthu factors and appropriate design and better appearance.

I was amused to notice that they were talking as if the plan prepared by local guy is the only plan possible suiting their requirements and budget.Most important factor according to them is square feet area of the house.They simply think that square feet area is the most important deciding factor for construction cost.

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Look at pictures above.Mr.Saseendran working in gulf has called me to NIlambur about an year back for design and construction of his dream house.Pictures above are that of his completed house and he sitting in balcony charupady.

He called me not because he was aware of importance of proper architectural design and need for proper structural engineering factors to be ensured while constructing his house.But today after completing his house he is aware of all these factors and he also knows for sure that he got the best possible design,workmanship and proper house about which he cannot feel bad at any time.That is because he was wise enough to have professional guidance in every step of construction right from beginning to end.

When you have professional expertise available which will not only save you lakhs and lakhs of money otherwise spent without any proper scheme or plan,you will get the right and best considering all aspects of engineering,vasthu,latest architectural features and above all best value for your hard earned money.

First you have to get the best possible plan suiting your plot,requirements,budget,dreams without spending money unreasonably.

Just see pictures of the plot where house shown above now exist when I first reached site before even preparing plan of the house.

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See how the place has transformed.Old house seen in the picture was really the old house of Mr.Saseendran where he was born and brought up.

Look at what all you require step by step for constructing your house.

1.A plan prepared by a qualified professional well experienced in designing and building houses(With each house construction I study continuously and my expertise and knowledge grows and the next house is going to be better designed and better constructed compared to more than 200 houses I have directly built)

2.Local authority submission drawings

3.Detailed item wise Engineering Estimate giving you a clear picture of expected cost for each item of construction

4.Foundation engineering details based on modern Structural Engineering ensuring proper stability for your house.

5.Set out or drawing plan in your plot in presence of the Architect  and client so that any last minute changes considering plot conditions can be made.

6.Monitoring of foundation work with professional assistance

Like these several steps are required to reach your dream house properly just like how Mr.Saseendran has reached his dream house working in gulf.

In short you need proper professional assistance and guidance for every step of construction.Workers engaged in construction however close or familiar to you will always make compromises to make their work easier and less trouble some while smiling and assuring you that “every thing is done properly “knowing very well that you do not know exactly what is right and proper.

I will put some more pictures of house of Mr.Saseendran at Nilambur.

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