After structure work-Query and reply

QUOTE

I have read your article on clay flooring . Due to my budget problem I intend to go for clay flooring for my 2 bedroom and living room which will not be more that 700sq feet . Total area of the the house would be 1300sqft .My house is in Tellicherry . Do you do only flooring job or can u suggest any contract who specialise in this flooring in Tellicherry .This house is for my aged parents .
 
Your advise in this matter is highly appreciated.
 
regards 
Naren

My reply

After completing structure work of the house, much more complicated work which may require even more amount of money are pending

You need advice and guidance of a qualified and experienced person to know various options available to you, latest trends and ways and means to decrease cost while improving utility and appearance of the building.

Look at some of the pending works

1. Putty finish for walls and painting

2. Flooring

3. Plumbing and sanitary works

4. Electrical wiring and fittings

5. Interior woodwork and Interior lay out design

6. Vasthu compliance of building constructed

7. Structural /Architectural correctness of construction done

8. Land scape design, arrangements and much more

So you require a visit by a qualified experienced professional to the site. After the visit you will get a detailed report on assessing work already done and suggesting how to go about in the case of future works

I can visit your site at Tellicherry and give you these details, information and guidance.Please let me know whether you are interested. After the visit, we can also provide our expert workers for the balance finishing works in the house under construction

Review of plan prepared-Query and reply

QUOTE

I  have a plan to construct a home bounded to low cost. Fortunately I've reached in your blog and that was very informative.
I am hereby attaching a part-plan of bed room to get your valuable comments on the "bath room door position".
 
I would like to go for an arrangement which is indicated and I have seen an arrangement of its kind in hotel and apartment bed rooms.
I wish you would send me an advice to get an idea to finalize.
 
Vinod.S
Sharjah

My reply

A plan of house is prepared considering several aspects including Vasthu
As per Vasthu there are certain positions for bed rooms.
Without knowing directions I cannot comment on suitability of bed room position
In any case total plan has to be seen to decide on various aspects

Quote

Thank you very much for your reply. I am attaching herewith the site layout for your review.
Please note that, home positioned as East at front side.
As I indicated in my previous mail please advice me on merit & demerits of bath room entrance as positioned.
  
Vinod.S
Sharjah

My reply

Following are my comments on the plan sent
1.Dining space 300 x 300 is insufficient
2.U shaped stair is old fashioned and 15 threads will not be sufficient to reach top.Such old fashioned stair arrangement will produce a dark underutilized space below stair
3.263 x 140 space for toilet will be inconvenient.140 cm width is insufficient and 262 cm length for such a toilet will be  too much.Proper arrangement will be difficult
I can revise the plan  and give you modified better plan which will not only give you better facilities  but also lesser cost of construction

Toilet you have shown can have a closet at south side wall and rest entire area can be used only for bath with a shower on long wall.If re arranged same or lesser space can be utilised better

Solid concrete block instead of brick-Query and reply

QUOTE

Please send me your advice on using solid cement  blocks for the construction of residential building  or using bricks.
 
Anil

My reply

Solid block or hollow block can be used for construction instead of Brick.This will reduce cost of brick work at least by 30%
Both solid and hollow block is manufactured by using concrete without reinforcement using 1/4 inch" metal".Thus the material is basically concrete and hence proper mixing of materials in correct proportion and water curing for about 15 days after manufacture with hydraulic pressing is required.
How far the purchased block will confirm to these quality requirements will be doubtful.
Most of the manufacturers use less cement and they hardly water cure it for more than one or two days.
If properly manufactured these are strong enough for walls and 8 inch size block should be used for load bearing walls.
I have used these solid blocks for construction of a Nalukettu type house at Kuruppampady by ensuring proper quality of block used.

Cost expected for house construction-Analysis given and my comments

QUOTE

I would like to build a house in Trivandrum. Appreciate if you can correct my cash flow / budget break up t get an idea prior to start
 
Land area : 5.5 cents
Floor area : 1700 - 1850 sft
 
1. Project Design, Mobilisation & local authority approvals 5%
2. Excavation, Foundation and Basement  8%
3.Structural Concrete - Framing & Block work  33%
4.Windows and Door frames  8%
5. MEP - 1st fix (Electrical conduiting, cable pulling & plumbing piping works)10%
6.Masonry & siding works 5%
7.Floor & wall coverings (water proofing, Tiles, skirting, counter tops etc)6%
8. Internal & external painting works 5%
9.Boundary wall & external works (inter lock tiles, soak pit, garden, gate, man holes etc) 6%
10.Trim Package ('Cabs, Counter, Doors, Millwork, hand rails etc) 6%
11.MEP - 2nd fix (Wiring accessories, sanitary fixtures, appliances etc) 7%
12.Final Grade1%
Anjana Shine
Quantity Surveyor

My reply

Being a Quantity Surveyor you must be having your own data back up and other reasons to support your Analysis.
 
Having designed and built more than 200 houses in different parts of the state,my experience shows such classification  of expected cost has not much meaning.
 
There is no substitute to following  these steps for designing and building house In Kerala
1.Site visit by Architect to study site conditions
2.Initial design and obtaining local authority approval and other such statutory permits
3.Engineering Estimate
 
After taking Engineering estimate which gives item wise quantity and costing based on finalised plan,you will get a feel of cost involved provided the rates are obtained from some one who is regularly involved in construction activities  in Kerala.
But the actual cost in a place like Kerala where all input cost keep on increasing without any pattern can be known only when you complete house.

Do you require our services for design and construction of your house at Trivandrum?

Room sizes and Vasthu-Query and reply

QUOTE

I have one doubt, 8x11and 9x11 room size is better or not as per the vasthu.I have two bed rooms with this measurements, if its wrong how can i rearrange this.Please guide me.I expect your valuable replay.
 
 
regards,
 
Pradeep

My reply

Vasthu books which are prepared after careful study of Vasthu knowledge available is not talking about a specific length and width requirement for a room or a house.
However I have come across Kerala local carpenters talking  about such dimensions and about so called "Maranachuttu"
In my opinion there is no scientific basis for such" Maranachuttu"
 
You can have more details about this at my following blog entries links of which are given below:
 
 http://kerala-houseconstruction.blogspot.com/2010/06/vasthu-compliance.html
 
 http://kerala-houseconstruction.blogspot.com/2010/09/room-sizes.html
 
http://kerala-life.blogspot.com/2010/06/vasthu-compliance.html

Purchase of land at Cochin,Query and reply

QUOTE

I am S.Ravi from Ernakulum (DT) would like to buy land for making house near Chotanikara Temple or Puthencruze.
 
I am in search of 20 to 30 cents land suitable to make a house –road side or second plot from road.
 
Is it possible to help me for finding land and what will be your service fee?
 
Please reply.
 
Thanks
S.Ravi

My reply

Buying land   in Cochin area require your presence to go and visit various options available.
As you can understand real estate availability changes fast as buying and selling take place continuously.Unless you see the land and finalise the deal,the same land may get sold to somebody else.
Hence please contact me on mobile and fix up a convenient date and time for your plot visit.
I can advise our real estate division persons to do needful.
We not only provide real estate assistance.We will also assist and guide you on technical/legal assessment of property,documents and also will guide and assist you for fool proof documentation and other formalities related to property purchase.
Later we can also design and build your house with professional care ,guidance and assistance

Vasthu clarifications-West facing house,Query and reply

QUOTE

Hi Thomas,
Just few minutes back I just had run over thru your website. looking at projects you have done and the way you blog is running, looking very good. There i thought to have a word with you on few clarifications regarding vastu. We have a west facing(main road on west) plot and a well in NE Corner, and planning to construct a small house of 2 story. Could you please tell me where should i have my main entrance, kitchen and car shed? Would like to know cost /sq.ft in Kerala, ( mostly planning to use ceramic tiles and green furniture)--- Thanks
 
Usha
UAE

My reply

Well in North East corner is good.But when you start constructing house,north east corner of the house has to be fixed in consultation with a Vasthu consultant so that well in North East corner will continue to be auspicious for the house and you.
For a West facing house,main entrance can be at north side of frontage.More towards north will be better.Kitchen should be at Agni Konam(South East).Car porch also has to be at Northern side of frontage
It will be better if you can read my blog entries at following blog  to get some idea on cost of construction of house in Kerala.Apart my blog entries I have also included queries I received from many like you and my answers to such queries
 
http://www.architectkerala.blogspot.com/

You can have a look at few pictures of houses designed and built by me at Facebook page. : You can even add me as a contact in Facebook so that you will get continuous updates on my blog entries and interactions with clients.
Here is the link
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=531348963&sk=photos

Flooring and other finishing works in house under construction-Query and reply

QUOTE

I had read your blog and found it be very informative.
 
Like others i am also very confused on flooring.
 
I would like the entire house (3400 sq.ft) to have a uniform color and look and feel. I was planning for granite slabs from Bangalore, but have heard comments that it does not add to the look and feel.
 
I am currently abroad. If you need to discuss, my father can call you. Our house is in Chengannur.
 
Kindly advice.
 
Thanks and Regards,
Reji

My reply

You really require a qualified and experienced Architect to advise and guide you not only on flooring but also other finishing works for the house like the following:
1.Plumbing and sanitary fittings
2.Electrical wiring and fittings
3.Painting
4.Selection of toilet wall and floor tiles
5.Interior design and Interior wood work
 
On all these aspects of building construction there are technology changes and change of trends .Your local contractor ,friends and relatives may know a bit about these but definitely not on every aspect.
By obtaining consultancy and guidance from a professional you not only get advice on best options for your house meeting your budget,dreams and expectations ,but also get proper guidance to save quite a lot of your money.
 
For your house under construction at Chengannur I can visit your site and guide you on all these aspects and also assess work so far done and check Vasthu compliance.

Are you interested?

Log wood house-Query and reply

QUOTE

I went thro the palace at Kayamkulam but what i am discussing about is a log house made entirely of wood ,walls,floor and shingles on the roof top. These log houses are common in Canada and other cold climatic places. If u go to Google and type log houses you will understand what exactly I am talking about These houses can be imported as a kit according to ur design. This is made of kiln dried pine wood with tongue and groove system with humidity less than 15%. I am based in Kuwait and hence ignorant whether these log houses are available in India.Kindly reply

Dr.Thomas Thomas

Reply

First of all you have to understand that wood is very cheap in places like Canada and wood they use there like cedar can withstand snow conditions there easily.
Even in Kerala we import such wood from other countries mainly due to the cheap and large size in which wood is available.But when it reaches Kerala,wood mills here sell these wood at comparable cost  to other local wood  gulping down profit,even though these imported wood are not good in our climate.Pingoda is one such wood commonly imported.To effectively market it here mill owners re christened Pingoda as "cheru Teak" even though it has nothing to do with teak.
 
Even if you import those log wood house as a kit,it will be difficult for such wood to withstand our heat and humidity.
So over a period of time such imported wood will get brittle and tend to break.
 
Trees grown in Kerala like Anjily,plavu,teak etc. can easily withstand our climatic conditions.But you cannot even think of having a log wood house using our tree wood due to their exorbitant cost

Query on house with wood

QUOTE

Happy New year to you. What is your opinion about wooden log houses in Kerala. Can it withstand our torrential rainfall . I have some land in Vagamon where i want to build a custom made wooden log house but my friends are discouraging me saying its not an ideal construction material for Kerala climatic conditions but my argument is log houses are more prevalent in extreme snowy countries where snow accumulates on the roof top. What is your opinion about this.

DR.Thomas Thomas

My Reply

Traditionally our old houses in Kerala were mostly made of wood.
Just click on link below where I have written on a Pathinaru Kettu house of erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore in Kayamkulam where he used to say during his vacation
 
http://kerala-architects.blogspot.com/2010/08/krishnapuram-palace-at-kayamkulam.html
 
If you look at the pictures you will notice that majority of building parts are made of wood
So there is nothing wrong in using or building a house with tree logs.Good seasoned wood will easily withstand our rains
But wood has become extremely costly in our place now.That is why use of wood has gone down.
Basically I would suggest you to plan a trip with your chosen Architect to the site and discuss in detail with him about your dreams for the house.
A qualified and experienced Architect can convert your dreams into reality and advise you properly
Of course,we can  also act as your Architect if you are interested