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Housing Solutions In Jamaica and the construction field
Blog
Getting a Handyman?
| Posted on August 3, 2013 at 12:23 PM |
comments (1153)
|
 Handyman services
A handyman is skilled or non skilled
worker that does repairs around the home or sometimes in odd areas,
He is sometimes called "Mr. fix it ". Some of the task that
carried out by this person will include repair work, maintenance
work, both interior and exterior, which include light, plumbing jobs
such as fixing a toilet or electric jobs such as changing a lighting
fixture. Generally handyman is sometimes classified to be Jack of all
trades because he performs all the work for him self. However,a
contractor generally hires persons to do specific jobs that will cost
you more to acquire their services and while the handyman can perform
almost all the tasks a group of persons hired.
A handyman or handy person will provide you with value for work has compared to a trades worker who will charge for his services. The handy man can do all the jobs for one price while others will charge for each tasks at hand. Sometimes a handyman is skilled in one area of his trade, however over years of experience and extensive work in the construction and repair field he/she can acquire added skills to improve their work quality. In our region their not much handyman that can beckon to a call that is send to their phone. We need to have more handyman in our region ( Jamaica ) to help to solve problems that home owners have around their home. Below is a listing of some of the major tasks a handyman can carryout on a Job or project.
Would you use a Handyman in your home? |
Painting your Home ( Concrete or Container)
| Posted on August 2, 2013 at 4:21 PM |
comments (7886)
|
Painting your Home/House “Applying a
fresh coat of paint to a new surface is Like waking up to the morning sun"  Lets discuss
painting your new home or painting an existing
Surface in
your home. First let me provide you with a check
List of the
things/items needed for starting your painting project.
Painter’s
Checklist
1. Paint (Color
of your choice) -
Water base or Oil base 2. Scraper
3. Wire
brush
4. Paint
brush
5. Paint
tray / Bucket
6. Paint
rollers
7. Rags /Towels
8.
Tri-sodium phosphate - Used by professional
painters in
Removing stain from
surface or degreaser. (Not sold at local
hardware - Has to be imported)
9. Concrete patch
- Used to fill cracks in the Concrete wall or on the
surface.
10. Primer
11.
Breathing mask
12. Thinner
- If its oil based paint or If water based you use water.
13. Ladder -
Used for elevated areas
14. Newspaper
or Polythene Sheet/Plastic cover
How calculate the amount of paint needed?
So the list
above is a general guideline for starting your
Painting project and can be change base how much
painting you have to do.
Well, you
have acquired your tools or check list for your project.
Next, you
will also need to know how much paint will be required
to start
your project.
In the
general Painting world, the amount of paint needed is based on
The gallon
and 1 gallon of paint will cover 350 sq. ft.
Square feet
is calculated length * width, so length (running ft.)
Of the wall
multiply by the height (Generally 9 ft.) of the
Wall will
give you the total sq. ft.
You will
then divide total sq. ft. of wall /350 sq. ft. this will give
You the
total gallon needed. Also you should remove total open
Spaces from
total sq. ft. of wall before you start the calculation.
If I confuse
you with my explanation I am sorry. No need to worry.
You can send
me an email or call for help.
How to choose the right color for your area
or space? Well it all
depends on your color of taste or your favorite color
You would
like to apply to your interior wall or exterior wall. However,
to get the
right color for your area you may want to get an expert advice.
Also you can
look into magazines that show examples of colors to use
For
different areas in your home. Note: Lighting, space available and function of
Space can
affect your choice of color.
Next, I will
be providing you with the steps
Taken to
prepare a surface for painting.
So you leave
your comments.... Thank you. |
Drafting and House Plan In Jamaica
| Posted on August 1, 2013 at 5:14 PM |
comments (1314)
|
Drafting and
House Plan in Jamaica
Architecture
encompasses three main aspects these are Aesthetic, function and durability (How
strong) or Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing,
and construction, usually of buildings and other physical structures (Definition
taken from Wikipedia). Well, in terms of designing an architect would want his/her
self-attached to a type of theory or type of architecture. In our modern stage
of architecture there has being allot of great architects that has made great
impact to architecture; some namely Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan and
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. You may say why I have chosen these 3 persons, mainly
because of how they have impacted the modernist approach of architecture.
In our time
of architecture or the study of architecture we have adapted some of
the legends
way of designing in the past and used their approaches to develop new concepts
or projects. Having, said all that. How has the Caribbean or Jamaican
architecture learned from this?
A comment
made by one of our prominent persons in our society has state that our
buildings in Jamaica
is like a colossal
disgrace. Well, he was speaking in reference to the building Aesthetics and
function.
I do agree
with him, however we can be assured that we have done well in providing well-built
structural buildings. My take on this as an Architect, is that I do stick with
the 3 main ingredients that make up architecture. Aesthetic, function and
durability; These 3 should be found in a house plan, drafting or design plan of
a building. Case example, I have seen many buildings being erected in Jamaica
and all of these buildings has in common is square box approach. The designers
or draftsman or woman has no sense of approach of designing a beautiful building
that represents the client’s life style.
I must agree
that we have not set any standards in the architecture industry in Jamaica
That the new
designers or new architects can follow to improve the way we design and build.
What I hate
about our architects is that they have no sense of design or approach to
designing.
Why I say
that.... Jamaica is Tropical Island and our main material for construction is
steel and concrete.
One factor
when designing a building is the environment; Many Jamaican can attest that
during the
day and
night their homes is very hot. This is cause by how your home was design by the
Architect;
is your home
has allot of open space , windows door ways to allow air to pass through your
home. Another, factor the orientation (direction of something) of the building;
is your building being oriented to where there is a high flow air coming from
the mountain side, the sea or where there is allot of trees.?
Leaving from
heat to light; I also hate how buildings that is being design in our country
Having lot
of closed spaces and little openings for natural light to come in.
I have seen
and experience living in a house that has little windows, large spaces and during
the day its dark inside. Not cool at
all, JPS is now smiling at this situation. If you living a house or
Unit why
can't the natural light be illuminating your space? This is a question I need
to ask designers or Architects in our region.....
To be continue....
If you have comments on this first part please leave your comments.. |
Buying Building Materials in Jamaica
| Posted on July 28, 2013 at 11:15 AM |
comments (10720)
|
 Buying building/Hardware materials in
Jamaica can be something very interesting.
Why? you have several hardware that
will be found your area and all has different prices
for the same product. Like for example?
1 Ton of steel will cost $100,000, you go to the next its $90,000 Ja
or $88,000 at another. The best choice would be the cheaper hardware.
That's good; however you have to do
price hunting to get the lower cost and you have be going up
and down to different hardware to find
the best price. Another factor that will affect your choice
is the distance of the Hardware away
from you. If you don't have a transportation you most
Likely will go to the Hardware that is
closer you and of such you will pay more. My advice to anyone is to
go far to the wholesaler of the goods and they will give you the
items at a cheaper cost than the hardware will give you. However, you
will need connections with that company. Sorry to say that’s how
Jamaica works. I really, would not want to go down that road of the unbalance society we have. When buying material it's best to buy once not twice; Why? the next time you go to the Hardware you will pay a Higher cost and this is not smart at all. Another way to save some money in your pocket; is to Shop when their is a clearance sale or in December period when Hardware’s wants to clear inventory. Also, do remember that when you find a good supplier of materials don't switch, Because they can provide you with discounts that others will not give you because your a loyal customer. Who provide the cheaper Materials? Well, I could give some. However, with the information I have provide you, it will allow you to find one in one call. What if I can not buy in a large volume? Well, take the Jamaican advice "One one cocoa full basket". What's this.. well you can go to your local hardware and make an agreement to pay-down on your materials just like hire purchase. This helps when you don't have allot of cash or you can even Join a partner in your community or even make up a family partner, it helps allot. So what's your views on my advice? |
How to register your land for a title in Jamaica?
| Posted on July 27, 2013 at 2:04 PM |
comments (1508)
|
Land surveyor at workHow to register
your land for a title in Jamaica?
It is very difficult to register land title in Jamaica. Much or less to even get land to purchase. There is too much process to get a land fully documented in your name and also there is problem of finding lands that has title to purchase. This is a challenge that is faced by middle class workers Who need land to buy to start a home. Lets not debate this issue, However I have done some research on the land title registration. You can also call the land Agency in your parish or region. Land Titles Services (876)750-5263/946-5263/922-3858 Land Valuation
Services (876)750-5263/946-5263 Montego Bay
Office (876)7750-5263/946-5263/952-1549
Before registering a land title in Jamaica you first would need to contact a land lawyer or a lawyer who is verse in land dealings and you will need the assistance of a land surveyor. Below is some information that will help you in your process. 1.The first step taken would be to fill out a form at the Land agency : The Registration of Titles Act and sign by the applicant. http://www.nla.gov.jm/admin/forms/docs/forms/application_to_register2.doc 2. A written statement confirmed by oath by the applicant to prove possession. 3. A written statement/oath to prove ownership from two persons who have known the land for at least 30 years and in cases where the applicant has no documentary proof of ownership, showing title for himself and predecessors in title for 40 years. 4. The current certificate of payment of Property Tax.(Tax receipts) 5. Survey pre-checked diagram - The diagram is done by a surveyor(Registered Surveyor). 6. Proof of Ownership eg. 6. Receipt, Conveyance, Probate, Certificate of Compliance under the Facilities for Titles Act. 7. Applications otherwise by Plan must provide a description of the land so to show identification of location of the parcel of land by of a land mark and this must state the names of which the property is known. The description must state the distances along each boundary and the compass direction of each boundary line, the names of the abutting properties, the names of adjoining owners, and where the abutting land is registered land, the title reference for the property. The land surveyor report or diagram will provide all these details for you. For more information contact : http://www.nla.gov.jm/ The information was source from: The National Land Agency - http://www.nla.gov.jm/ |
Container House
| Posted on March 7, 2013 at 5:11 PM |
comments (544)
|
 Buying or trying to build your home can be costly in Jamaica or anywhere in the world. However, there’re many institutions that provide many suggested ways to reduce the cost for construction; but It seems not to work. Also, many construction companies in Jamaica are reluctant to build homes for a lesser cost or they state that it would not be profitable to build homes that are less than say 3 million and the current market price for homes are at an average 6 million and above for 1 - 2 bedroom homes. The question many have or may have asked "Can minimum wage workers afford these valued homes?" The answer would be No. So, why then can developers be more innovative to come up with more cost effective ways or methods of building homes at a lesser cost to live? In USA, Architects are working or prevailing in methods to reduce cost of homes and making it safer for living. However, Jamaica is a third world country and not a first world country base on economic, size and production. Why is it that we on a hold try to be more valiant to find new methods to build homes for everyone in our country? Nufield Services or Floyd Bromfield is out on a venture to find out how can we build homes for the future at a lesser cost that is strong, safe, comfortable and livable. So, then let’s start the discussion..... Have you ever thought that we can build homes out of containers that can be 50% less than average concrete homes? What is your view of a container house? |
