The 45 Stages Of Building A Home In Zimbabwe

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The 45 Stages Of Building A Home In Zimbabwe

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The 45 Stages Of Building A Home In Zimbabwe:

Stage 1: Architectural Plans & Approvals

Architect Drawings are drawn up and approved by the city council.

Make sure you hire an architect that insists on visiting your stand in order to come up with the house design; this will ensure a design that takes advantage of your stand positioning and orientation. Remember that Zimbabwe is in the southern hemisphere, therefore your houses (main living areas) should face north in order to get the most sunlight.

The boundary pegs are already found and on view.
Builder gets all required approvals for construction to begin.

Engineer's Specifications: Your engineer will study the new house plans and specify where you will require certain beams, structures and re-inforcing, particularly with double-storey and sloping plots. The Engineer will draw technical specifications which illustrate where the structural re-inforcing has to be placed and how it is to be designed. A copy of each engineer drawing is handed to the Building Contractor, Architect, Owner, and Municipality. The Engineer will inspect each selected area as it is finished before signing each one-off.

The 45 Stages Of Building A Home In Zimbabwe

GEO-TECHNICAL REPORT: The Engineer will require a report on your plot for samples of soil. Depending on soil type, extra foundations or re-inforcing have to be built into the structure for safety. Holes are dug all over the site and at different depths. Soil samples are analyzed. Reports on these samples are given to the Engineer who can then establish where the re-inforcing and strength is required. Get the Geo-tech report done whether it is required or not for the safety of your family and your building in the event of poor soil. Clay is the worst soil type and requires special foundations.

Stage 2: Site Preparation & Utilities

Erect a wooden cabin (this will be used by the caretaker and for the storage of building materials. We recommend a 6x3 cabin.)

The municipality will require a connection fee to erect a tap for you to get connected to the main water supply. If there is no water connection, a 50,000-litre water tank is recommended ($550). It costs $50 to fill such a container.
Temporary toilet erected in place and connected.
The site is leveled and cleared.

Stage 3: Site Surveying

Site is surveyed and marked out for building foundations. The exact positioning of the home is marked.

Stage 4: Trenching

Foundation trenches are dug. Plumbing line is dug and run from street to site.

Stage 5: Foundations & Steelwork

Concrete is poured into the foundation trenches with re-inforcing steel where and if required. Your steel and reinforcing contractor will have drawings from your engineers. He will know exactly how and where to place his steelwork, which is essential for support and structural integrity in load-bearing columns, foundations, and decking.

Stage 6: Foundation Brickwork

Foundation brickwork is built up.

Stage 7: Backfilling

Soil dug out of foundation trenches is backfilled and compacted.

Stage 8: Soil Treatment

Soil is treated with poison for ants (termites).

Stage 9: Floor Slab & Decking

DPC plastic damp proof sheeting is laid (200 microns minimum).

• Bricks are laid and built up.
• Re-inforcing steel and wire mesh is placed.
• Electrical conduit pipes and plumbing systems are installed and left exposed.
• A cement slab is poured.
• Brickwork is built up.

DECKING: If you are building a double-storey, a decking contractor will position scaffolding and metal plates. After reinforcing steel is in place, concrete is poured for the second-level floor slab. This is a skilled and time-consuming job.

The process continues with roof construction:

• Roof trusses are placed on walls.
• Roof Timber is painted with wood preserve.
• Beam fill brickwork fills between timber trusses.
• Plastic Sheeting placed on roof.
• Roof batons are placed.
• Tiles are placed.

The roof structure, when finished, must be SIGNED OFF and receive a DESIGNERS COMPLETION CERTIFICATE and an ITC ROOF LOADING CERTIFICATE.

Stage 10: Electrical First Fix

Conduit and electrical frames are placed in walls. ALL conduit MUST HAVE draw wires visible. Include conduit for gate lights, gate motor, intercom, alarm systems, and pool pumps. The main electrical CABLE from your home to the roadside connection MUST be in the quote.

Stage 11: Floor Screeding

Floors are screeded - A light cement and sand mixture is placed and "floated" onto the slab for level flooring.

Stage 12: Window & Door Installation

Window and Door lintels are built-in as the brickwork goes up. Window and Door Frames are installed.

Stage 13: Exterior Doors

Exterior Doors are installed. Entrance doors must preferably be solid wood. A carpenter fits the frames, hangs the doors, and installs hinges, handles, and locks.

Stage 14: Plastering

Interior and Exterior Walls are plastered.

Stage 15: Glazing

Glass is fitted into windows. Consider window sizes, shapes, and frames (aluminium vs. timber). Different glass textures can be chosen for different rooms.

Stage 16: Ceilings & Cornices

Ceilings are installed. Cornices are installed. The carpenter installs RHINO BOARD, plasters it with RHINO LITE, and tapes the sections for a smooth finish before painting.

Stage 17: Bathroom First Fix

Baths and showers installed. It is essential to waterproof all showers.

Stage 18: Waterproofing

Waterproofing a flat roof involves using a bituminous primer and a torch-on system.

Stage 19: Electrical Ceiling Work

Holes are drilled through the ceiling for electrical light fixtures.

Stage 20: Electrical Second Fix

Electrician pulls his wires through conduit pipes.

Stage 21: Plumbing First Fix

Plumber lays his pipes.

Stage 22: Window Sills

Window sills are placed.

Stage 23: Ceiling Painting

Ceilings and Cornices are painted.

Stage 24: Interior Painting

Walls are painted inside.

Stage 25: Exterior Painting

Walls are painted outside. If your home is face brick, a brick sealer is painted over the bricks.

Stage 26: Bathroom Final Fix

Baths and Basins are installed completely including toilet roll holders etc.

Stage 27: Geysers & Plumbing

Geysers are installed. The PLUMBER is responsible for sewerage, storm drains, drain pipes, guttering, and connecting to municipal mains. Ensure the quote includes everything down to the last tap.

Stage 28: Gutters & Downpipes

Plumber places gutters, gulleys and downpipes.

Stage 29: Final Plumbing Connection

Plumber connects up.

Stage 30: Tiling

Floor and Wall tiles are laid.

Stage 31: Finishes

Curtain Rails are installed. Skirting is laid down.

Stage 32: Electrical Final Fix

Lights and switches are fitted. Stoves etc. are fitted and connected.

Stage 33: Main Electrical Connection

Electrician Lays cable. Electrician connects up.

Stage 34: Kitchen Installation

Kitchen cupboards are installed.

Stage 35: Bedroom Cupboards

Built-In cupboards are fitted.

Stage 36: Security & Metalwork

Balustrading and security gates are fitted. All metalwork (burglar guards, gates) should be galvanized to prevent rust.

Stage 37: Site Cleanup

The site is cleaned up and rubble removed.

Stage 38: Alarm System

Alarm is installed.

Stage 39: Driveway

The driveway is paved. Driveway gates are fitted.

Stage 40: Washing Line

Washing Line poles are cemented in place.

Stage 41: Landscaping

Landscaping and instant lawn is laid.

Stage 42: Maintenance Period

A 3-month maintenance period has then lapsed and any defects in the home are rectified.

BUILDING FAULTS: A new building will suffer from minor plaster cracks as it 'settles'. These can be fixed with filler. More serious vertical cracks may indicate foundation issues and should be inspected by a professional.

Stage 43: Final Inspection

An inspector from the Municipality Local Authority will do a FINAL INSPECTION.

Stage 44: Certificate of Habitation

The local authority issues the homeowner a CERTIFICATE OF HABITATION.

Stage 45: Move In!

Time to enjoy your new home!

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