thanks for the feedback, in my case excavation turned out cheap, about 15k for the digging part and paying a guy around 1700 per truck to pick the soil, the other option that was being floated was to avoid excavation add a layer of hardcore and put what they called brc then the slab, not sure how much it would have cost me.

as a side, how long does it take after pouring the concrete foundation strip, before the foundation walls start to be erected

@josimar, check here for more info

http://www.a4architect.c...son-prefabricated-situ/

There are cost savings of around 20 % per m2 of slab surface.


The hindsight is that you will need careful technical supervision form the structural engineer since most of the buildings that have colapsed in Nairobi have also used such.

See the Kasarani building here
http://www.a4architect.c...nd-how-to-prevent-this/

See the southern bypass building here

http://www.a4architect.c...pass-building-collapsed/

I don't like the look of them especially in living rooms or bedrooms

A formula for calculating the rough estimate cost of the first floor slab was disclosed - is there an equivalent for the ground slab.

what would a rough estimate quantity of material needed for the ground slab, after the hardcore has been filled up, for approximately 10m by 13m ground area.

any info will be appreciated.

@a4architect, great stuff going on in here, now i am about to proceed with a project where i am putting up a three storey building with eight two bedroom units, i have everything else sorted but would like to hear your take on dealing with electricians in terms of contracts, costs and may be a reference to a good electrician. lastly are there bodies that regulate electricians or electrical companies