Constructing The Roof Framework - Gradual Progress

At long last the frame work for the roofing has commenced. Two days into the framework being constructed I paid a visit to the site. I subsequently overheard the carpenters discussing how high the slope of the roof should be. Something did not look right. Standing away from the building, outside, you could immediately see that the spine of the roofing framework was going to be very high. The builder was due on site soon, but I decided to call him anyway. With no clear direction on the roof framework, the carpenters decided to halt on the work and wait for the builder to arrive. When the builder arrived it suddenly dawned upon all of us that the architect needed to be in the loop regarding this. The architect was called and and hour later he was at the site. After several minutes of pondering over the architectural drawings, Ebow [the architect] said he would return back the next day with correct measurements for how hight the framework of the roofing should go. 

The next day, Ebow arrived with "amended" measurements and work continued. I have always said a prayer each morning and evening regarding the building project. Like any other project, things do not go according to plan. There will be moments when a spanner will be thrown into the works and things get delayed. #GhanaDecides threw a spanner in the project. On the 7th of December Ghanaians went to the polls to elect a new president. Voting in Ghana works differently from what for example voting occurs in the UK. In some cases, voters have to travel long distances to the towns/villagers where they are registered to vote. Travelling from point A to B can be tiresome and difficult not to mention the number of hours it can take. The elections halted the rook frameworks for three days. Nothing could be done about it. Work immediately resumed when the carpenters returned from voting.

The roofing framework is completed and the next step is to get the electrician lay electrical cables before the actual roofing sheets are fitted.

Cleaning Up The Site.

I am currently in Ghana to inspect the building project and to gather funds for payment of the roofing works.

On my first day at the site, I must admit I was very disappointed. The place was in a complete mess. By this I mean the wood that had been used for the concrete works were still in place. Even though the concrete had been set long ago, I do not see why the builder had not organised his workmen to remove the wood and also tidy up the site. Then there were still slabs from the pavement when old building was knocked down. I immediately got on my phone and asked the builder to meet me at the site. On his arrival I immediately pointed out how untidy the place was and that it needed to be tidied up so that the site was more presentable. I also asked him to have the palmnut trees and the flower hedges surrounding the wall removed. Anything that was not serving a purpose on the site needed to be removed ASAP. I stressed to him that it was important the site was kept as neat as possible. As at the time of updating this blog, the site is looking much better. A truck arrived two days ago and collected all the pieces of wood and bamboo pools that were no longer needed. 

Last week, all the wood needed for the construction of the roofing frame was delivered on site. yesterday, the carpenter and his team stated on constructing the framework for the roof, however this afternoon, the carpenter noted that there was something in the architectural drawing that needed to be clarified with the architect Mr Ebow Swatson. This is how I understand the nature of what the problem is. So standing at the front end of the building, where the porch is, the 3D drawing of the project shows that the roofing for the front part of the building extends to the edge of the porch, effectively covering the porch from getting wet when it rains or providing some degree of shelter from the sun. Now the actual architectural drawings show the extension of the roofing over the porch to be around two feet short of the edge of the pouch. It does not appear to be a major problem but obviously needs to be sorted out ASAP. The carpenter should get a definitive response from the Mr Ebow Swatson first thing tomorrow morning. I am very keen on seeing all the framework for the roof completed before returning back to the UK.

Tiles produced by ACP Ghana

The next issue we need to tackle is what type of roofing material we want to use. Initially the plan was to use AluZinc. Apparently this is very good for houses that are prone to the effect of sea breeze. Nyaniba is not far from Labadi Beach, so AluZinc is the best choice. The problem with using AluZinc is that it tends to attract heat very easily thus making your house hot. I have been told that there are other materials out there, notably what ACP produce. Obviously this implies and increase in cost. I should get costing for this in the morning.

At the end of the day, it is a matter of choice and how you want you building to stand out from the rest. ACP tiles I have been told add "class" to your building. Providing you have the funds making a choice should not be too difficult to make.

Late last week, the builder and I had a meeting with the AirCondition contractor. The architects plans has far too many airconditioners for the whole building. We are planning of cutting the number down. On his initial inspection, the airconditioner contractor advised that instead of having say, three airconditioners in a particular area, he can install one powerful airconditioner which can do the same work as the three airconditioners. On many occasions when walking around Nyaniba, I see the piping for airconditioners all over the place. It is an absolute eyesore. So this is something I will be looking at the airconditioner contractor avoid.

I have been in Accra for 18 days now. I brought over my Bebop drone with me. I have taken the liberty of taking some video footage of the site for you to see. The footage below shows the drone flight taken from the back/rear of the building. I have another one taken from the front of the building. I have not edited that yet, but when I do, I will upload that for you to see. Once the roof goes on, things will be taking shape very fast. Plumbing and electrical installation will need to be done, then plastering and windows will be next.

Communication Is Vital [For The Success Of Any Project]

There is one thing which I have never been pleased with since the commencement of the Nyaniba project at Osu, and that is the frequency the builder communicates with me and also his attitude towards communication. It is absolutely very bad. Upon reflection I released that I was the one always calling the builder and asking him to send me updates on the progress of the building. Two weeks ago, I decided that this had gone to far and that I needed to explain to him my expectations from him in terms of his communicating with me on the progress of the building. So i picked up the phone, called him and told him that moving forward, this was what I expected from him. Last week I heard nothing from the builder. I had to send him a "whatsapp" message and a text message for him to check his "whatsapp" message. On Friday, I still had not had any word from him. I spoke to my brother in Ghana and asked him to see if he could get hold of the builder. He [my brother] was actually surprised because he had himself stressed to the builder that it was important for him to provide me with updates regularly. Finally, two days ago, the builder got in touch. He, apologised for the silence, but went on to say that there had been no progress on the building project because the structural engineer had requested that the materials the builder had purchased for the plumbing were not what was on his architectural drawings. It appears the structural engineer had different drawings from what the builder had. I managed to keep myself from exploding in anger. I told the builder that this should have been mentioned to me immediately.

I am surprised at the builders lack of concern on the issue of communication. Is it a "Ghana" thing? I mean, it is alright as a client if you live in Ghana and therefore have the flexibility of popping over to you building site whenever you feel like it. At least that way you have the option of getting updates for yourself. For his own sake, I think I will need to have a "teacher/student" chat with him on this. I do not think he has had the privilege of putting up a building for someone living outside Ghana, because if he did, he would have some sort of "template" that would enable him to provide updates to his client[s]. I have another telephone meeting with him tomorrow and my plan is to get him to email me with detailed updates twice every week. I do not think that should be too hard for him.

Lessons learnt - make sure that you as a client, sit down with your builder to agree on some form of communication by which the builder shall/will provide you with detailed regular updates. These updates should include pictures and/or videos showing progress of the building.

Shed Construction - Day Two

The work men reported to work around 9.00am. They did say that they would have arrived earlier had it not been for the amount of traffic on the roads. Boadi, the builder was not around. I ddi not expect him to be actually as he had his site foreman taking care of things. Work continues with finishing off the outer shell of the shed. I have been informed that concrete flooring will be done tomorrow as well as doors to the shed. 

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Shed Construction - Day One

Yesterday, around mid morning a pick up pulled into my house with all the necessary items needed to build the shed. I had mentioned earlier that the plan was to have a shed built so that I could store all my things in it. With the absence of dedicated storage facilities in Accra [not that I know off anyway], the best option was to build a shed. Plus even if I did find someone who was willing to store these things for me, I would be looking at transporting my stuff to another location and worrying about security at this new location.

Anyway, once the items had been off loaded from the pickup, the men responsible for building the shed quickly got down to business. By 5.30PM they had the shell of the shed constructed. Today they have the roofing, flooring [concrete] and doors to do. I suppose I can start moving stuff into the shed in a weeks time. By this time the concrete flooring would have set.

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